From Chandigarh to Silicon Valley: Abhijay Vuyyuru's Journey to Google

In our "Indian Engineers in Silicon Valley" series, we chat with Abhijay Vuyyuru, a Product Manager at YouTube (Google), leading connected experience products for YouTube on TV. With an MBA from Harvard Business School and a diverse background spanning Gen AI, an Apple internship, and data science at Hilti Group in Switzerland, Abhijay's journey from Chandigarh to Silicon Valley is a testament to curiosity, resilience, and strategic navigation. He shares candid insights for young Indian students dreaming global.

Q. Tell us about your background in India

Abhijay: From Chandigarh, I did my integrated CS degree at IIIT Bangalore (graduating 2017). My first internship (2014) was at a Bangalore ride-sharing startup. Though it failed, it was a fun experience trying to change the status quo.

Q. What fueled your passion for engineering?

Abhijay: For me, I've always been very curious about how things work, so engineering felt like a natural progression. I specifically wanted to study math and computer science. This also stems from my love for video games; I was very fascinated by the digital world and how these immersive experiences were created. Beyond the technical curiosity, what truly excites me, like with my first startup experience, is building something new that could potentially change the way things happen in the status quo. And yes, gaming remains a big part of my life – from classics like Treasure Island and God of War to ongoing series like FIFA.

Q. Why did you first consider studying abroad?

Abhijay: My first real taste of life abroad came around 2015 during my undergrad. A professor facilitated a research opportunity at an Australian university, leading to a three-month stint there. This experience meant the life there felt way more different – in terms of what they were working on, the exposure to research, and just the experience of living abroad. It was pretty exciting for me, and I started thinking, 'Would I want to explore this further?' I was pretty much leaning towards it; at some point, I wanted to go outside India and explore more. The US wasn't specifically in the picture yet, but the idea of going abroad was definitely there because of that exposure.

Q. Navigating the MBA application process can be daunting. Could you share your journey of deciding where to apply, the criteria that guided your choices, and how you handled setbacks like initial rejections?

Abhijay: Dreamt of Harvard! I optimized for product management schools like Ross, MIT, and big brands. Got rejected from Wharton & MIT in round one. Despite consultants doubting me for Harvard, I backed myself, applied in round two, and got in. No regrets about not applying to Stanford, a decision influenced by others. My priorities for choosing a school were: average post-graduation salary, crucial due to loans; the school's brand and employer network; location – I preferred a big city like Boston over a smaller town, having experienced village life in Switzerland; and school size – Harvard's large cohort offered a bigger network. Many factors play into this.

Q. Biggest academic or cultural changes in the US?

Abhijay: Academically, Harvard was intense, not the "party MBA" some imagine. A campus timer even counted down our days! Daily case prep meant 3-6 hours on academics. Culturally, you are responsible for your own job search – a big shift from typical Indian placements. You're also juggling academics with networking in a large class. This means actively figuring out essentials like credit cards and housing while trying to meet people. The first week, with so many competing priorities – events, lectures, parties, fitness, or just needing personal time – can certainly induce anxiety as you wonder if you're making the most of every moment.

Q. How did you prioritize at Harvard?

Abhijay: Realizing I couldn't do everything, I prioritized. First, building strong relationships with professors – for me, the real value of an MBA abroad, as they're industry veterans. Coffee chats helped understand their journeys. Second, intentionally choosing a small circle of friends, aiming for deep bonds with around 30 people, rather than trying to know all 900. Community, for me, means these genuine connections.

Q. How was your job search in a tough market?

Abhijay: The market was bad when I graduated. You reach out to companies; they don't come to you. It was tough even getting interviews. What worked was giving myself time (say, six months) and learning from mistakes, like improving my cold-emailing on LinkedIn. Using Gen AI boosted productivity. Don't be harsh if your first interview goes badly; I failed my first one.

Q. Landing at Google – how did that happen?

Abhijay: I treated the Google interview as practice. I’d applied to Google India and wasn't sure I wanted to move back immediately, so stakes felt low. I was relaxed – even joined one call late watching an India-England cricket match! Being myself, without pressure, worked. The Google process is fair and professional; interviewers are often global to avoid bias, and they guide you on what each round covers.

Q. How do you stay resilient during stressful job hunts?

Abhijay: There’s social pressure and the 90-day visa rule for international students. I told myself it wouldn't happen in a month. I didn't get Google right after graduation. I first did a GenAI summer internship that wasn't guaranteed to convert. But that internship opened doors; suddenly, I had more interviews due to that niche experience. People quickly see you as an expert with even a few months in a specific area. That led to multiple offers. It’s about steps, getting your foot in the door. Interestingly, 70% of Harvard MBAs change jobs within the first year.

Q. First impressions of Silicon Valley work culture at YouTube?

Abhijay: The product focus is insane; product drives the narrative. Technology is an enabler, but it’s about solving user pain points. The scale at Google is immense, impacting 2 billion users, so you consider legal, privacy, accessibility. Ideas often bubble up from the bottom, and it's highly collaborative. This bottom-up approach means a document can evolve rapidly with diverse inputs from UX and engineering, leading to new perspectives. It’s very execution-driven; an idea doesn't just sit – it moves to implementation quickly. Adjusting to this fast pace, especially from Europe's 'chiller' lifestyle, took time, but my MBA prepared me. The scale at Google also means you're constantly solving for many factors beyond just the feature – legal, privacy, accessibility. This is why big companies like YouTube can't ship daily like nimble startups, which can deploy constantly. It's a different operational reality tied to our broader responsibilities.

Q. Advice for your younger self in Chandigarh?

Abhijay: I'd tell my younger self: we are only limited by our imagination. My journey through different countries to a US MBA felt like a dream I hadn't fully envisioned. The key is taking that first step where people often falter, finding that one solid reason to pursue your goal. You can't always plan a career, but you can be prepared for opportunities by being actionable – take the test, volunteer, put in the effort. Times will get tough for everyone; it's about taking baby steps and tackling big problems in smaller pieces.