Starting your first internship or full-time job in the U.S. is a big milestone. You’ve made it through the degree, the visa process, the job hunt—and now, you’re here. But once you step into the workplace, it can feel like a whole new world again. One of the most common challenges Indian professionals face in the U.S. isn’t technical skills or hard work—it’s finding the confidence to speak up and be heard at work.

Whether it’s contributing in meetings, asking questions, advocating for your ideas, or even just making small talk at the coffee machine—communication plays a huge role in how you're perceived and how fast you grow. So let’s talk about why this matters and how you can get better at it.

In many Indian work and academic environments, there’s a strong emphasis on listening to your seniors, not questioning authority, and showing respect by being reserved. In contrast, American workplaces often value open communication, independent thinking, and self-advocacy.

Here’s what that means in practice:

• Managers expect you to share your ideas, even if you’re new.
• Asking questions is a sign of curiosity and a desire to grow, not a weakness.
• Feedback is often expected both ways—yes, even interns and junior employees can speak up.
• Silence can be misinterpreted as disinterest or lack of confidence.

This doesn’t mean changing who you are—but it does mean adapting to the communication norms of the environment you’re in so you can succeed.

If you’re not naturally outspoken or you’re still adjusting to cultural differences, it’s okay. You don’t have to become the loudest voice in the room overnight. Start with small steps like:

• Speak at least once in every meeting—even if it’s just agreeing with a colleague’s point or asking a follow-up question.
• Practice asking questions in 1-on-1s with your manager. Prepare 2–3 questions in advance if that helps.
• Use Slack/Teams/email to contribute asynchronously if you're more comfortable writing than speaking.
• Join casual chats or lunch invites, even briefly. Building relationships makes speaking up easier in the long run.

Remember, showing up is part of speaking up.

Let’s look at a few situations where speaking up matters—and how to handle them confidently:

1. You’re in a meeting, and you have an idea

Instead of waiting to be asked, try saying: “I had a thought on this—would it be okay if I shared?” People will appreciate your contribution, and phrasing it this way feels natural and polite.

2. You’re not sure what your manager expects from you

This is a great time to ask for clarity. You could say: “Just to make sure I understand correctly—are we prioritizing [X] this week?” Managers value employees who take initiative and seek clarity.

3. You made a mistake

Own it. It builds trust. You might say: “I realized I missed [X]—I’ve fixed it and put in a reminder to make sure it doesn’t happen again.” Accountability goes a long way in U.S. work culture.

4. You’re being overlooked or interrupted

It’s okay to assert yourself. Try: “I’d love to finish my thought real quick before we move on.” This isn’t considered rude—in fact, it shows confidence and engagement.

Tips to Practice Speaking Up

• Join Toastmasters or public speaking groups—these are great for practicing in a low-stakes environment.
• Roleplay with a friend or mentor. Practice typical work scenarios.
• Record yourself. Try explaining a project you worked on. Watch it back and adjust tone, speed, or clarity as needed.
• Use ChatGPT or AI tools to help draft emails, questions, or talking points if you’re not sure how to phrase things at first.

Cultural Nuances to Be Aware Of

• Directness is not rudeness. In the U.S., people often get straight to the point. It’s normal. You can adopt a similar style while staying respectful.
• Small talk matters. Asking someone about their weekend or commenting on the weather may seem trivial, but it builds rapport.
• Hierarchy is flatter. Titles matter less here. Don’t be afraid to share ideas even with senior team members—respectfully, of course.
• “No” is okay. You can say no when your plate is full. Try: “I’d be happy to take this on after I finish [X]. Would that work?”

If you feel like you're the only one struggling with this, you’re not. Many international professionals—even those who speak fluent English—find it difficult to adjust to American communication styles.

Give yourself time. You can learn this. And once you do, it will change everything—your visibility, your confidence, your growth. Think of speaking up as a career skill—just like coding, data analysis, or marketing. The more you practice, the better you get. And the better you get, the more opportunities come your way. Don’t underestimate the power of a well-phrased idea in a meeting, a thoughtful question to your boss, or even just saying, “I’d love to learn more about that.” Those are the moments people remember.

You’ve already done the hard part—coming to a new country, navigating the system, landing a job. Now, your voice deserves to be heard.