Deb shares her inspiring journey from India. A journey driven by her pursuit of better opportunities in computer science, leading her to study at Carnegie Mellon University. She discusses her career journey. Including her internship at Microsoft, employment at PayPal, and her entrepreneurial leap. She founded a tech startup, Criya, specializing in AI-driven visual content creation.
Lastly, the episode sheds light on Deb’s struggles with H1B and student visas, emphasizing the common challenges immigrants face in securing green cards and the impact on personal and professional aspirations. She also shares that the average wait time for people from India to get a green card is 25 years, but she shares how she obtained hers in 14 days.
Coming to the US
Deb’s journey began with a simple yet powerful motivation: to support her family. Arriving in the U.S. on a student visa with limited financial resources, she dove headfirst into graduate school at Carnegie Mellon University. She recalled how everything felt new—intimidating even—from getting a phone plan to understanding classroom norms. “We didn’t come from a family of wealth where we could just, ‘Oh, let’s go see what it’s like to live in another country.’ I never traveled outside of my hometown, really,” she shared. That humility and hunger laid the foundation for her future success.
After graduation, Deb entered the workforce on an H1B visa and quickly learned how complex the U.S. immigration system can be. “It’s so sad that we are already here, already providing so much value to the industry, to the people, and yet there’s this repetitively archaic process to get a green card,” she said. Still, she pressed forward—navigating job transitions, visa renewals, and the emotional weight of being far from home.
Creating Criya
One of the most inspiring parts of Deb’s story is her transition from employee to entrepreneur. Though she had never planned on starting a company, life opened a door she never expected. “When I came to the country, my American dream was to get a stable job and support my family. Today, my American dream is to build the next unicorn.” That evolution speaks volumes about her growth—not just professionally, but personally.
She spoke candidly about loneliness, the need for community, and how friends became her chosen family in the United States. “As a first-generation immigrant, you’re starting from scratch. Even if you screw up something, there’s no one to call. And even if there’s something to celebrate, there’s no one to call.” That line really stuck with me—and I know it’ll resonate with many of you.
Listen Now
Deb’s resilience, honesty, and vision are exactly why I created this podcast: to amplify stories like hers, stories that often go untold yet carry so much power. As immigrants, we carry our past, hopes, and courage into unfamiliar spaces—and somehow, we thrive.
With Love, Heidy
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