An Indian student who moved to the UK in 2021 has sparked an online conversation after offering to “work for free” in order to stay in the country. In a viral LinkedIn post, Swetha Kothandan shared her struggles in securing a “visa-sponsored UK job” following her graduation in 2022. Despite applying to over 300 positions, she has yet to find success, and she referred to the post as her “final chance” to secure a long-term future in the UK.

With her Graduate Visa set to expire in three months, Kothandan introduced herself as “Swetha, an international student from India,” and discussed her ambitions since relocating to the UK. She stated, “The job market feels like there’s no value for me, my degree, or my capabilities.” Holding an MSc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Leicester, she is particularly looking for “visa-sponsored design engineer roles.”

In her post, Kothandan shared her qualifications and made a bold offer: “If you’re a UK employer hiring for design engineer roles, you won’t regret hiring me. I’ll work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week to prove my worth.” She encouraged fellow international students to share her message to help extend its reach.

Accompanied by a graphic, the post read: “Looking for design engineer roles. Hire me for free for one month. If I don’t deliver, fire me on the spot. No questions asked.”

The post has generated mixed reactions. Some users expressed concern about the fairness of offering free labor. One user commented, “It’s unfair that you need to offer yourself up to work for free or such long hours just to stay,” while another stated, “If you are smart and capable, you’ll succeed anywhere in the world.”

Others highlighted the importance of self-promotion in a competitive job market, stressing the need for technical professionals to develop marketing skills to stand out. While one person suggested Kothandan consider returning to India, she responded by saying that doing so “is not her dream.”