Moving abroad

TheEffect

WolfSong2000 wrote: »

Speaking as someone who tried (and failed) to get a job in the USA, it's not easy. I was "lucky" in that I had a potential employer willing to pay all my visa and relocation costs (which was thousands of pounds), and they wanted to offer me a really good job - average starting salary was around £30k *however* I couldn't get a visa because I didn't have a "directly relevant" qualification...I had the experience (hence the job offer), plus a masters degree, but it wasn't "directly relevant". So yeah...that fell through.

I will echo what others have said...living in USA is very different to just visiting. I have many friends all over USA, some wealthy, some not, and those who aren't are really, really struggling right now. Healthcare is phenomenally expensive, even when you have insurance. if you get sick/lose your job, you're hung out to dry.

If you're still in uni, got for a J1 summer work visa (through a company such as BUNAC). It'll give you a better idea of what it's like to "live" in America...it's not perfect as you're only there a few months, but it's an eye opener.

Also, the USA is a big place and different regions are *very* different from one another. Me, I'm a big fan of the East Coast and the South, not so keen on the West Coast and little experience of the rest. my ideal place to live would be Washington DC (spent last summer living there - wonderful place). I'm still holding out hope

As another poster mentioned, however, Africa could be a good bet. I'm also looking for work in Somaliland (not to be confused with Somalia!). They're crying out for teachers there. If you want more info, just PM me

Thanks for this! I've taught in Tanzania over the summer last year and it was amazing and changed my life, but the USA will always be at the back of my mind.

I've been doing some research and have concluded that teaching would not be the best career to go into if I hope to move to the states. My best shot is getting into one of the large companies as mentioned, that have opportunities in the states.

I've been thinking that I'll start applying for jobs in large companies throughout my final year of university, as well as applying for a masters. If I have no luck with the job hunting, I'll do the masters and then try again with the job hunting. I've started applying for part-time jobs this week so I can start saving the money needed for a masters.

Once I've (hopefully) got a job within one of these companies, I can build up experience, save money and hopefully start applying for positions and opportunities in the states!

I know I'm thinking way ahead here and getting slightly carried away, but if I have any chance of fulfilling this, it's going to take many years, a lot of planning, experience and a lot of luck!

WolfSong2000

TheEffect wrote: »

Thanks for this! I've taught in Tanzania over the summer last year and it was amazing and changed my life, but the USA will always be at the back of my mind.

I've been doing some research and have concluded that teaching would not be the best career to go into if I hope to move to the states. My best shot is getting into one of the large companies as mentioned, that have opportunities in the states.

I've been thinking that I'll start applying for jobs in large companies throughout my final year of university, as well as applying for a masters. If I have no luck with the job hunting, I'll do the masters and then try again with the job hunting. I've started applying for part-time jobs this week so I can start saving the money needed for a masters.

Once I've (hopefully) got a job within one of these companies, I can build up experience, save money and hopefully start applying for positions and opportunities in the states!

I know I'm thinking way ahead here and getting slightly carried away, but if I have any chance of fulfilling this, it's going to take many years, a lot of planning, experience and a lot of luck!

Try and get a J1 visa before you graduate and get at least some experience of "living" (albeit temporarily) in the USA before you commit to trying to move there...also, speak to as many Americans as you can. There's a lot of issues which Brits don't tend to think about, such as healthcare insurance which can cripple you financially (even with insurance). Also the police in America can be bloody scary, and a lot tend to have a real attitude problem (not all, as I've known some wonderful off-duty police officers, but just a head's up).

Bottom line, if you want to have even a slim chance of getting a job, you either have to go to a big international company, get a job in the UK and ask for a transfer after a few years or apply directly to US companies. For the latter you need to meet the job requirements *to the letter*, including qualifications (your qualification has to be minimum degree level and *directly* relevant*), experience, etc, *plus* the company has to be willing to pay all your visa expenses, etc, which can run to at least $10k and often relocation expenses. I had 2 out of 3....an employer willing to pay all of this, and the experience for the job, but I didn't have a "directly relevant" qualification. As a result, I couldn't take up the job offer.

Oh, and I have a masters myself, but it isn't necessarily going to help you all that much...depends what area you want to go into and what masters you do. I got the masters only to be told by some companies "nah, we want someone with a PhD". Cue me banging my head on the desk. lol.

But yeah....do your research, make contacts and spend money travelling round the USA as well...it's a big country and different areas vary wildly!