From Big Tech to Social Impact: A Couple’s Journey Back to India

A Career Path Defined by Global Experience

For many professionals, the trajectory of moving abroad for education and securing a role in a major technology firm is the ultimate career goal. Chandana Shivanand, an Indian national, followed this path after graduating from her undergraduate studies in 2016. She moved to the United States to pursue a master’s degree in electrical engineering at the University of Southern California. Following her graduation, she carved out a significant career in Big Tech, holding a senior technical program manager position at Meta, with a brief tenure at Microsoft before returning to Meta.

Living in Santa Clara with her husband, Prajwal, Shivanand enjoyed the stability of a successful corporate life. The couple eventually purchased a home in California, settling into a rhythm that many would consider the hallmark of professional success. However, despite their achievements, a desire to contribute more meaningfully to their home country began to take root.

The Pivot Toward Social Impact

The couple’s perspective shifted when they began looking for ways to support engineering students in India. Initially, their efforts were limited to sending financial support, but they soon questioned whether they could provide more than just monetary aid. In 2023, they co-founded Global Engineers Connect, an initiative that leveraged their professional networks to provide mentorship, resume reviews, and guidance on social impact projects for students in rural India.

The turning point arrived in February 2024, following a successful event at Shivanand’s former undergraduate campus. The experience prompted a deeper conversation about their priorities. They began to challenge the notion that their lives should be defined solely by their corporate titles. With a financial cushion in place, they decided to take a leap of faith, giving themselves a two-year window to explore a life in India dedicated to their passions.

Transitioning Back to India

The move, which took place toward the end of 2024, was initially approached with caution. Rather than selling their California home immediately, they chose to rent it out, keeping the door open for a potential return. However, as they settled into their new life, their commitment to the move solidified. Two years later, they completed the sale of their California property, which they had purchased for $1.7 million, for $2 million.

The adjustment period was not without its challenges. Shivanand notes that navigating the complexities of Indian work culture, urban traffic, and environmental factors like pollution required a significant mental shift. To maintain their independence, the couple chose to live separately from their parents, renting a five-bedroom villa that serves as both their home and the office for their nonprofit, now known as Polygnan.

Reflecting on the Choice

Today, the couple focuses on two primary programs: entrepreneurship and AI. Their entrepreneurship initiative provides a 10-week incubation period for engineering students to develop their ideas into minimum viable products. Shivanand credits her time in the US tech sector for providing the confidence and financial foundation necessary to pursue this work.

“If I had stayed in India, I don’t think I would have started my nonprofit this early,” Shivanand reflects. She views her time abroad as an essential chapter that allowed her to understand both ways of life. By experiencing both the corporate environment of Silicon Valley and the grassroots challenges of India, she believes she is now better equipped to make a conscious decision about the lifestyle that aligns with her vision and goals. For Shivanand, the move represents not just a change in geography, but a deliberate alignment of her career with her personal values.

Source: businessinsider.com