A LinkedIn post by Swetha Kothandan, an Indian graduate in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Leicester, has gone viral, spotlighting the struggles international students face in securing visa-sponsored employment in the UK. Since graduating in 2022, Kothandan has applied for over 300 roles without success, prompting her to make a bold offer: to work free for a month in a visa-sponsored design engineer role as her “last chance to secure a long-term future” in the country.
In her post, Kothandan expressed frustration with the UK job market, saying, “There’s no value for me, my degree, or my capabilities.” Despite her willingness to work 12 hours a day, seven days a week, her offer has divided public opinion. Some social media users commended her determination, while others expressed concern over her offer to work for free, citing that talent should not be undervalued.
Kothandan’s post has garnered responses from both supporters and employers offering advice or potential job leads. “It’s disheartening that international graduates feel pressured to make such sacrifices,” commented one user. Another added, “Don’t feel limited by location—if you’re skilled, you’ll thrive anywhere.”
Her post has fueled discussions on LinkedIn about the difficulties international graduates face in an increasingly competitive global job market. While Kothandan’s dream is to work in the UK, the viral response to her post underscores the need for more accessible pathways for skilled international talent.
