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

- Link: https://viralbrief.top/from-big-tech-to-social-impact-a-couples-journey-back-to-india/
- Published: 2026-11-12T13:48:23+00:00
- Author: Olamide

## 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.

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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.

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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.

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**Source:** [businessinsider.com](https://www.businessinsider.com/couple-moved-back-india-left-big-tech-jobs-meta-2026-11)

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  TL;DR (AI Generated)

Chandana Shivanand and her husband Prajwal left their successful Big Tech careers
in California to return to India and focus on social impact work.

Initially starting an initiative to mentor engineering students, the couple eventually
decided to move back permanently in late 2024.

Today, they run a nonprofit called Polygnan, focusing on entrepreneurship and AI
programs while successfully navigating the transition back to their home country.

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