Daniel Shirley

Hi Everyone,

Basically, i've recently graduated from university with a BEng Aeronautical Engineering Degree and now want to move to the us to live and work. I have worked in the US for two summers, working at a children's camp on a j1 visa.

I need information regarding jobs, moving out there visas etc.
Also anyone out there who has already made this kind of move please send me a message regarding how to went about this.

Thanks for your time

Dan.

christmasoompa

Hi Dan,

Unfortunately, I don't think anything will have changed since you last asked the question..............http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...18#post7193118 The chances of a recent graduate getting a work visa are slim at best, as advised in your previous thread. Are you still with your US girlfriend?

Might be worth re-reading that thread to see if there were any useful hints/tips in it for you.

Good luck.

Daniel Shirley

Thanks for contacting me, looks like im stuck in the Uk for the Time been.

Dan.

triptastic

Hi Dan,

Don't discount the possibility too soon. I graduated from University last year (July 2008) in an engineering discipline and last week obtained an L-1B visa (intra-company transfer for specialized knowledge employees). I'll be moving to the US early 2010.

At the time I joined the company I work for I had no intention of moving to the US. Things happened within the company earlier this year and the opportunity to relocate presented itself. After careful consideration I decided it was an opportunity I couldn't refuse.

My brief advice would be to apply for work in the UK with a company that has US offices. Once within that company look to get involved with projects that have a US link. Acquire specialized knowledge that means the company will want to retain your services. Get lucky.

I hope this offers a useful insight, and that what you are looking for could happen a year or so down the line.

caleyjag

You have three principle options.

1. Join an aerospace company that has operations in both the UK and the US. Under the right circumstances, you can then move to the US after 1 year on an L1 visa.

2. Return to UK university to pick up a graduate degree. This will give you the specialist skills that put you in the frame for H1 and even O1 visas. Moreover, it opens up the options of academic employment at a US university of government lab (Jet Propulsion Lab, etc), which visa-wise is a lot easier than trying to land a job in industry.

3. Conduct your graduate studies in the US. Consider the University of Washignton in Seattle. Very good engineering program and well established ties with Boeing. Or Caltech, with the JPL right beside. Doesn't get better than that.


Right now you are unlikely to get sponsorship for a job directly. I think these three options are a lot more practical than trying to join Boeing directly, for instance.

JAJ

You've got nearly 30 countries in Europe to choose from. Try Switzerland?

Or make some medium term plans to qualify to migrate to Australia, Canada or New Zealand.

Bob

Just beware that many aeronautical jobs in the US require security clearance, and you'd need a greencard to even get clearance and US citizenship to get a security clearance worth anything so prospects might be limited.

Still, worth looking at BAE etc all the same.

caleyjag

That is an extremely good point. All the better reason to come in here as an academic and try and get all that crap rolling as soon as you can.

In the meantime, if BAE doesn't rock your boat then EADS Astrium have all kinds of wicked projects that will get you out of the UK. Not only that, but they subcontract for tonnes of American stuff, so you could easily find yourself out here that way.

helwardman

I used to work for BAE Submarines (in the UK as an electrical engineer) and at that time (approx 4 years ago) I knew colleagues that were transferred from UK to USA so it definitely is possible. Not sure how often it happens though.