Mental Health of South Asian Adults in the Tech Industry..

The tech industry has become a highly sought-after career path among South Asian young adults. From an early age, they are encouraged by their families and society to consider engineering as one of the main career options. South Asian young adults undergo various obstacles, such as intense competition and pressure to perform in high school, undergraduate studies, and post-graduation, with the ultimate goal of landing a job at a prestigious tech company.

However, many South Asian adults who seek therapy when they start their first job report feelings of dissatisfaction and lack of fulfillment. They are often faced with the existential question "now what?" They feel like they have followed a step-by-step approach since their teenage years to reach this stage, and now that they are here, it feels like they have reached the end. They also frequently report that their skills don't feel fully utilized.

In addition, as the tech world is shifting towards work-life balance, many South Asian adults find this odd, as they have been told from an early age that you need to work hard and spend countless hours on it. This leaves South Asian adults with a sense of emptiness around being underutilized at work and not finding meaning outside of work with hobbies.

Moreover, South Asian adults in the tech industry are increasingly reporting depression levels due to their job. A lot of it is not because of burnout at work but rather burnout that they have experienced throughout their life while trying to reach where they are today. They are experiencing low motivation, higher procrastination, and feeling less goal-directed, which are contributing to their depressive levels.

Nevertheless, an optimistic shift is that South Asian adults today are starting to question their identity outside of work. They are beginning to engage in activities and hobbies they enjoyed when they were younger. They are also using their professional skills to develop side projects that spark passion.

This sense of purposelessness, emptiness, and existential questioning is a unique experience among South Asian adults who have finally reached their goal but are now questioning the path forward and allowing themselves to be present and satisfied with where they are. This is challenging the cultural belief that "you need to keep doing more." Moreover, people are also starting to question if they are in the right profession or moving into other fields that align more with their passion. This is especially true for South Asian adults who were pushed into the "engineering" trap despite their lack of interest and are now finding the courage to move away from this expected career choice into something that feels more fulfilling and sustainable for their lives.

It is essential to recognize that this pressure and expectation can take a toll on the mental health of South Asian adults. It is vital to have open conversations about mental health and seek help when needed. Creating a supportive environment for everyone in the tech world and beyond should be a priority.

In conclusion, South Asian adults in the tech industry face unique challenges related to mental health, such as questioning their purpose and identity outside of work. It is crucial to address these issues and create a culture that values mental health and work-life balance. By doing so, we can ensure that everyone can thrive in their professional and personal lives