How can I get a job in America?
 

Hi folks,

I could really use some advice please because I'm completely at a loss!

I am a female 27 year-old British citizen with a Masters in Forensic Psychology.

I want to move to the USA because I absolutely love the country and feel there should be a lot of opportunity there. I am looking for work in a correctional facility/prison, probation, crime prevention, mental health facility, police, the courts, a psychiatric hospital or in community outreach for mental health/offending. I would happily take a trainee position and would consider an intern position if it is relevant enough.

My problem is I do not know where to begin! Do I apply directly to jobs? Or do I apply to the state I wish to work in?
Although Texas and Tennessee are my favourite states, I will move anywhere. I believe I need to have a job already lined up in order to apply for a visa? But then why would an employer hire me over an American citizen who does not require a visa at all?

I have considered doing a course at an American University by obtaining a student visa. I would then be able to work during my course and get some contacts whilst there with the hope of acquiring a job. But I believe the fees are very expensive for a foreign student?

If anyone has any advice at all I would really appreciate the help!
Thank you!

Cleo

Re: How can I get a job in America?
 

Probably start here:

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulask...ork_in_the_USA

Re: How can I get a job in America?
 

They wouldn't, especially when your are talking about state/county jobs, coupled with the fact it would cost them circa $5k to get you a visa. YOU do not apply for a working visa, it must be started and paid for by the prospective employer. And that's where you dream goes awry.

As to studying, that is a possibility, but it's very expensive, and you have to show you can supply the funds in their totality since you are not allowed to work off campus on an F1.

In reality, because of your specialisation, I think it's going to be very tough for you to live and work in the US on that basis. Have you considered match.com?

Re: How can I get a job in America?
 

Well, exactly.

I would be very surprised if you would get sponsorship for any of the kind of roles you mention. There are an abundance of US citizens who can do those jobs and employers therefore don't need to spend an additional 5k getting you the right to work. The student route sounds the better option, but is still far from a guaranteed job.

Re: How can I get a job in America?
 

Do you perhaps have an Extraordinary ability The bar does not appear to be terribly high :p

Re: How can I get a job in America?
 

She's got a Masters, Civil, at least recommend eharmony.com :D

Hoffage

Re: How can I get a job in America?
 

Plus, unfortunately I think you'd need to be licensed to take any job in this area.

Re: How can I get a job in America?
 

Hey now! I met my OH on match.com, and I have a Master's in Engineering. Of course, that was more than 10years now..the website could have changed since then.:p

Re: How can I get a job in America?
 

But isn't it basically civil engineering? That doesn't really count :p

Re: How can I get a job in America?
 

These people are not joking, it may be your best shot if you are single and open to a transatlantic relationship. I am not joking either, I met Mrs P on-line too. Chemistry.com is another alternative. :)

Re: How can I get a job in America?
 

:D - An early candidate for best post 2014 :lol:

Re: How can I get a job in America?
 

Those roles may only be open to US citizens (I'm thinking about the prison and like).

As to the mental health roles, many of those seem to be linked to working for an insurance company. That might not be what you are imagining it is.

Re: How can I get a job in America?
 

Some are, some aren't, from what I hear. That said, I would question the sanity of anyone who wants to work in the US penal system. :unsure:

Re: How can I get a job in America?
 

Hi and welcome,

As you are starting to notice from the comments, you are in for a tough ride.

The problem isn't necessarily "finding a job". There are many listed in the usual places and with the usual procedures to apply, interview, accept, etc. The problem is "finding a job with visa sponsorship" which in your case is going to be nearly impossible.

Companies who want to hire non-residents/citizens have to convince the US government that there is some "special need" for this person. The government has a very limited number of areas in which this can be done, such as foreign businessmen transferring to their US offices, foreign investors coming to start companies in the US, or skilled foreign workers coming to fill specific types of jobs in the USA (think engineers, scientists, doctors). To do this they have to fill out reams of papers and pay significant costs, like $5,000-$10,000 in application and legal fees. And after they pay these costs they may end up applying for a visa type that is over-subscribed such that they have a lottery, giving them about a 50% chance of actually getting the visa.

In your case, you are looking for jobs with government or government-related industries, such as a prison, courts or a community outreach center. As these are funded by the taxpayers and governments, you have a situation where the local authority is going to go to the immigration authority and have to say, with a straight face, "there are no Americans qualified to do this job (despite high unemployment rates) so we are going to spend $5,000 in US taxpayers money to bring in a foreigner to take this job".

That just doesn't fly politically, as I suspect you'd hear about on that side of the pond if your local council announced "we're spending £3,000 extra per head to bring in people from Australia to work in the Tube instead of hiring locals".

In addition, some government jobs will flat out state on the application "you must be a citizen to apply" or "you must be a permanent resident to apply".

A private hospital may...may have a program and the resources to apply for a visa on your behalf, but you'd have to make the case that you are more qualified and needed for this position than any of the many unemployed US people with similar backgrounds and degrees. I'm not sure you'll have much luck there. I'm also not sure if "mental health professional" is something the immigration authorities are seeking. (Conceptually, the kind of people who get visas are supposed to 'enhance' the US economy by creating jobs or profits for other Americans, though in reality that isn't always the case).

You could come over to study in the USA for a year (expensive) and then get an internship or other job afterwards for about a year under what is known as "practical work experience" but you'd have to spend that year trying hard to get your employer to sponsor you or trying hard to find a spouse (and as joking as it sounds, finding an American to marry is much EASIER than finding a job that will sponsor you for most people seeking to come to the USA).

In short, you've got a very tough road ahead. Don't get discouraged and please don't fall for "fly by night" Internet scams that "promise" a visa, after you send them some cash. Start doing the things you would do for any job, i.e. networking, Linked in, etc to see if you can start making some noise about coming over here to the people who can help.

Re: How can I get a job in America?
 

"Chemistry.com is another alternative."

If I was in the game I'd need a Physics.com