Techie's bold career switch slashed her pay by 40%, now she's living her dream with a job at Meta
Dawn Choo
, the spark for a dream job was lit early. As a college intern at Facebook, she envisioned herself someday working at
as a
data scientist
. But when graduation loomed, so did practicalities. With no offers from the tech world and an urgent need for
visa sponsorship
, she accepted a quant role at Bank of America—her gateway to staying in the U.S., even if it meant pushing her aspirations aside.
'I needed a job to stay in the country,' Dawn told Business Insider in a candid interview. 'Even if it wasn't the industry I really wanted.'
Explore courses from Top Institutes in
Select a Course Category
Data Science
Product Management
Healthcare
Project Management
Data Science
Data Analytics
Management
PGDM
Operations Management
Artificial Intelligence
Cybersecurity
Technology
Leadership
MBA
Others
MCA
CXO
Digital Marketing
others
Public Policy
Design Thinking
healthcare
Degree
Finance
Skills you'll gain:
Strategic Data-Analysis, including Data Mining & Preparation
Predictive Modeling & Advanced Clustering Techniques
Machine Learning Concepts & Regression Analysis
Cutting-edge applications of AI, like NLP & Generative AI
Duration:
8 Months
IIM Kozhikode
Professional Certificate in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
Starts on
Jun 26, 2024
Get Details
Skills you'll gain:
Data Analysis & Interpretation
Programming Proficiency
Problem-Solving Skills
Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence
Duration:
24 Months
Vellore Institute of Technology
VIT MSc in Data Science
Starts on
Aug 14, 2024
Get Details
Her work at the bank was far from fulfilling. While she dabbled in backend model-building, the passion for data and innovation remained untouched. By the time she hit the three-year mark, the itch to pivot had grown unbearable. She applied for tech roles relentlessly—nearly 100 applications, only 10 interviews, and a single offer: a
business analyst
position at
Amazon
.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Play War Thunder now for free
War Thunder
Play Now
Undo
A Risk That Almost Didn't Feel Worth It
Taking the job meant swallowing a bitter pill. Her total compensation took a 40% dive. Living in New York City, where rent and ramen both came at premium prices, the impact was both financial and emotional.
'It felt like a step back,' she said. 'I wondered, 'Why did I take this pay cut? Should I just go back?''
You Might Also Like:
Laid off from his dream Microsoft AI job at 25, techie turns career crisis into a creative comeback
Her role at Amazon felt uninspiring. The tasks were repetitive, and her skills underused. But in that monotony, a spark reignited. She started automating her tasks as a personal project—something that would unexpectedly redefine her future. What began as a quiet experiment soon got the attention of Amazon's leadership. Within a year, she was promoted to
Business Intelligence Engineer
, leading a five-person team on a project she had initiated herself.
Dream Realised; On Her Own Terms
That leap of faith paid off again two years later when Dawn finally landed her long-coveted job at Instagram,
Meta
's image-sharing giant. The journey had been circuitous, the rejections many, but her persistence outlasted her doubts.
'I almost canceled my final Meta interviews,' she admitted. 'I just didn't think I could handle another 'no'.'
But that final 'yes' marked the beginning of three transformative years, both professionally and personally. The work was meaningful, the friendships deep, and her voice—finally—heard in the rooms she always wanted to be in.
You Might Also Like:
'How to search for jobs in India': NRI techie's 'American dream' turbulently crashes after 10 years in US
Her story isn't just about changing careers—it's about taking chances, making peace with temporary setbacks, and trusting that growth rarely follows a straight line.
For every professional standing at the crossroads of comfort and calling, her advice is simple and powerful: 'Sometimes one step back is the best way forward.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
As US education system falters, Hong Kong is quietly becoming a global student magnet: Here's why
Amid US education system crackdown, students are looking towards Hong Kong as a better academic option. Amid growing concerns over the reliability of the US higher education system, from shifting immigration policies to political interference on elite campuses, Hong Kong is stepping up to redefine its place on the global academic map. With a sharp increase in international applications, expanded student quotas, and strategic outreach efforts, the city is attracting students and scholars who are reconsidering their traditional study destinations. A recent Times Higher Education (THE) report highlighted the dramatic shift, noting that Hong Kong universities are not only seeing more applications from the US but also from Europe, Africa, Australia, and Latin America. This diversification marks a notable departure from their earlier dependence on mainland Chinese applicants, signaling a new global ambition. Hong Kong's growing appeal Behind the surge is a series of deliberate policy moves. In 2023, the Hong Kong government raised the cap on non-local students from 20% to 40%, a significant leap that immediately expanded the intake potential for international talent. Simplified visa rules for research and teaching staff, along with a more coordinated recruitment push, have further eased the pathway for global students and faculty. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Live Comfortably: 60m2 prefabricated bungalow for the elderly in Sungai Raya Pre Fabricated Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo According to the THE report, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong reported a 50–60% increase in international applications over the past two to three years. And it's not just student interest that's growing. Universities across the city have also seen a spike in academic applications from regions such as North America, the UK, Africa, and Europe, an indicator that faculty mobility is responding to Hong Kong's renewed academic promise. HKUST and the global push The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), one of the city's top institutions, is a clear example of this trend. As per the same THE report, HKUST is hosting students from over 80 countries this academic year, with nearly half of its international intake now coming from outside mainland China. These students are drawn by Hong Kong's strong performance in global university rankings and its proximity to cutting-edge research hubs in the Greater Bay Area. In a move reflecting its responsiveness to global shifts, HKUST extended admission offers to high-performing students from elite US universities like Harvard, following growing unrest and uncertainty in the American education space. The university reportedly received hundreds of inquiries and responded with dozens of offers, an indication of how quickly students are reevaluating their options. Beyond the rankings: A strategy to retain talent Hong Kong's academic resurgence isn't just about attracting students, retention is the next big test. While streamlined policies have made entry easier, long-term success depends on the city's ability to support international graduates through work opportunities, collaborative research, and broader social integration. Experts cited in the Times Higher Education report argue that universities alone cannot create the full ecosystem needed to keep talent. Support from government bodies, industry partners, and civil society will be essential in ensuring Hong Kong doesn't just draw global minds, but also gives them reasons to stay. A turning point in global education? Just a few years ago, concerns around academic freedom, particularly in the wake of the 2019 protests, cast doubt over Hong Kong's future as an education hub. But today, it appears those fears are giving way to a more pragmatic global reassessment. With US institutions facing policy volatility and increasing scrutiny, Hong Kong's clear, research-driven strategy and regional connectivity are winning over a new generation of students and academics. In this shifting landscape, the global classroom may indeed be tilting eastward, and Hong Kong is quietly but firmly staking its claim. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Best medium duration mutual funds to invest in July 2025
Many investment advisors believe that medium duration funds are better placed to offer superior returns when the interest rates start falling. Debt mutual funds offer attractive returns in a falling interest rate environment. If that interests you, you can learn more about medium duration funds. Most mutual fund investors stick to liquid funds, ultra short term funds, short term funds, banking & PSU funds, corporate funds, etc. to take care of their short-term needs. Most of them might know about gilt funds. Even though they may not invest in them. However, many investors are not aware of medium duration funds. Chances are that most people will keep hearing about medium duration funds this year because most mutual fund advisors are recommending these schemes to their clients these days. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Data Science Design Thinking healthcare Data Analytics Data Science Others PGDM Healthcare MCA Degree Cybersecurity Digital Marketing Leadership Finance MBA Technology Public Policy CXO Operations Management Project Management Management Product Management Skills you'll gain: Strategic Data-Analysis, including Data Mining & Preparation Predictive Modeling & Advanced Clustering Techniques Machine Learning Concepts & Regression Analysis Cutting-edge applications of AI, like NLP & Generative AI Duration: 8 Months IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis & Interpretation Programming Proficiency Problem-Solving Skills Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT MSc in Data Science Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details Also Read | Top 10 mutual funds for SIP to invest with a horizon of 3 years Best MF to invest Looking for the best mutual funds to invest? Here are our recommendations. View Details » by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: Unsold Sofas Prices May Surprise You (Prices May Surprise You) Sofas | Search Ads Search Now As per Sebi mandate, medium duration funds must invest in debt and money market instruments with Macaulay duration of three to four years. As you can see, these schemes are suitable for investors looking to invest for three to four years or more. However, you should check the portfolio duration of the scheme to ensure that the scheme is in line with your investment horizon. Not a crowd favourite Most mutual fund advisors do not recommend medium and long term debt schemes to regular investors. These schemes are extremely sensitive to changes in the interest rate environment. They suffer when the rates go up. Mutual fund advisors say many conservative investors would find it difficult to handle the volatility faced by these schemes. Live Events Also Read | Domestic vs Global: International mutual funds take lead with up to 6% weekly returns In short, if you are looking for a debt mutual fund where you can park money for four years or more and are ready to take some risk and volatility, you can consider investing in medium duration funds. Please watch out for monthly updates so that you can keep track of your schemes. Bandhan Bond Fund Medium Term Plan, one of the recommended schemes, has been in the fourth quartile for the last 24 months. The scheme had been in the third quartile earlier. HDFC Medium Term Debt Fund has been in the third quartile for the last 21 months. Best medium duration schemes to invest in July 2025 SBI Magnum Medium Duration Fund HDFC Medium Term Debt Fund Bandhan Bond Fund - Medium Term Plan Axis Strategic Bond Fund Methodology ETMutualFunds has employed the following parameters for shortlisting the debt mutual fund schemes. 1. Mean rolling returns: Rolled daily for the last three years. 2. Consistency in the last three years: Hurst Exponent, H is used for computing the consistency of a fund. The H exponent is a measure of randomness of NAV series of a fund. Funds with high H tend to exhibit low volatility compared to funds with low H. i)When H = 0.5, the series of returns is said to be a geometric Brownian time series. This type of time series is difficult to forecast. ii)When H <0.5, the series is said to be mean reverting. iii)When H>0.5, the series is said to be persistent. The larger the value of H, the stronger is the trend of the series 3. Downside risk: We have considered only the negative returns given by the mutual fund scheme for this measure. X =Returns below zero Y = Sum of all squares of X Z = Y/number of days taken for computing the ratio Downside risk = Square root of Z 4. Outperformance: Fund Return – Benchmark return. Rolling returns rolled daily is used for computing the return of the fund and the benchmark and subsequently the Active return of the fund. Asset size: For debt funds, the threshold asset size is Rs 50 crore
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
Europe hopes for 'no surprises' as US weighs force withdrawals
After keeping Donald Trump happy with a pledge to up defence spending at NATO's summit, Europe is now bracing for a key decision from the US president on the future of American forces on the continent. Washington is currently conducting a review of its military deployments worldwide -- set to be unveiled in coming months -- and the expectation is it will lead to drawdowns in Europe. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Technology PGDM Product Management Others Cybersecurity Digital Marketing others Finance Healthcare MBA Leadership Artificial Intelligence Data Analytics Operations Management Data Science healthcare MCA CXO Design Thinking Data Science Public Policy Management Project Management Degree Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Weeks MIT xPRO CERT-MIT XPRO Building AI Prod India Starts on undefined Get Details That prospect is fraying the nerves of US allies, especially as fears swirl that Russia could look to attack a NATO country within the next few years if the war in Ukraine dies down. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo However, the alliance is basking in Trump's newfound goodwill following its June summit in The Hague, and his officials are making encouraging noises that Europe will not be left in the lurch. "We've agreed to no surprises and no gaps in the strategic framework of Europe," said Matthew Whitaker, US ambassador to NATO, adding he expected the review to come out in "late summer, early fall". Live Events "I have daily conversations with our allies about the process," he said. While successive US governments have mulled scaling back in Europe to focus more on China, Trump has insisted more forcefully than his predecessors that the continent should handle its own defence. "There's every reason to expect a withdrawal from Europe," said Marta Mucznik from the International Crisis Group. "The question is not whether it's going to happen, but how fast." When Trump returned to office in January many felt he was about to blow a hole in the seven-decade-old alliance. But the vibe in NATO circles is now far more upbeat than those desperate days. "There's a sanguine mood, a lot of guesswork, but the early signals are quite positive," one senior European diplomat told AFP, talking as others on condition of anonymity. "Certainly no panic or doom and gloom." 'Inevitable' The Pentagon says there are nearly 85,000 US military personnel in Europe -- a number that has fluctuated between 75,000 and 105,000 since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. "I think it is inevitable that they pull out some of their forces," a second European diplomat told AFP. "But I don't expect this to be like a dramatic overhaul. I think it's going to be gradual. I think it's going to be based on consultations." Trump's first target is likely to be the troops left over from a surge ordered by his predecessor Joe Biden after Moscow's tanks rolled into Ukraine. Officials say relocating the rump of that 20,000-strong deployment would not hurt NATO's deterrence too much -- but alarm bells would ring if Trump looked to cut too deep into personnel numbers or close key bases. The issue is not just troop numbers -- the US has capabilities such as air defences, long-range missiles and satellite surveillance that allies would struggle to replace in the short-term. "The kinds of defence investments by Europe that are being made coming out of The Hague summit may only be felt in real capability terms over many years," said Ian Lesser from the German Marshall Fund think tank. "So the question of timing really does matter." 'Inopportune moment' Washington's desire to pull back from Europe may be tempered by Trump now taking a tougher line with Russia -- and Moscow's reluctance to bow to his demands to end the Ukraine war. "It seems an inopportune moment to send signals of weakness and reductions in the American security presence in Europe," Lesser said. He also pointed to Trump's struggles during his first term to pull troops out of Germany -- the potential bill for relocating them along with political resistance in Washington scuppering the plan. While European diplomats are feeling more confident than before about the troop review, they admit nothing can be certain with the mercurial US president. Other issues such as Washington's trade negotiations with the EU could rock transatlantic ties in the meantime and upend the good vibes. "It seems positive for now," said a third European diplomat. "But what if we are all wrong and a force decrease will start in 2026. To be honest, there isn't much to go on at this stage."
