Moving to the USA: two young teachers... possibilities?
#31
Re: Moving to the USA: two young teachers... possibilities?
Sooo...marry a USC, get a company transfer, or, if you are a patient and timely young couple, have your baby in the most advantageous country.
#33
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 211
Re: Moving to the USA: two young teachers... possibilities?
All here have given great advice.
If you want to go into HE, you might consider:
1) If one of you did extremely well in your degree, start looking at and applying to PhD programs in the USA. They generally take 5 years to complete and pay a stipend (albeit very low but liveable if the university is in a small town/rural area - usually around $30-$35K per year). For you both to move together however, you would have to be married!
2) If you did not do that great in your first degree (but still really well), you/your bf could potentially do a PhD in the UK (you would need a Masters first for most programmes whereas in the USA a masters is not usually required) and become an expert in your fields. You could then build up a network with other experts in the USA and potentially start off by doing visiting professorships which could lead to a full-time role (note however that jobs for those in the humanities with PhDs are very scarce, so you might consider another area for a PhD). If you worked you *sses off and had a good publication list before finishing the PhD, you might be able to secure employment with a US university while finishing up your PhD. Again, if you want to go together, you need to be married if you both aren't doing this option.
Good luck.
If you want to go into HE, you might consider:
1) If one of you did extremely well in your degree, start looking at and applying to PhD programs in the USA. They generally take 5 years to complete and pay a stipend (albeit very low but liveable if the university is in a small town/rural area - usually around $30-$35K per year). For you both to move together however, you would have to be married!
2) If you did not do that great in your first degree (but still really well), you/your bf could potentially do a PhD in the UK (you would need a Masters first for most programmes whereas in the USA a masters is not usually required) and become an expert in your fields. You could then build up a network with other experts in the USA and potentially start off by doing visiting professorships which could lead to a full-time role (note however that jobs for those in the humanities with PhDs are very scarce, so you might consider another area for a PhD). If you worked you *sses off and had a good publication list before finishing the PhD, you might be able to secure employment with a US university while finishing up your PhD. Again, if you want to go together, you need to be married if you both aren't doing this option.
Good luck.
#34
Re: Moving to the USA: two young teachers... possibilities?
There are proportionally, many more PhD students in the US, and for that matter, master's students too. It might be extraordinary in the UK, but does not sound anywhere near as far-fetched in the US.
#35
Re: Moving to the USA: two young teachers... possibilities?
It's also relatively "easy" to get a Doctorate in Education in the U.S.
I know several people who have done this and certainly not the academically rigorous types.
I know several people who have done this and certainly not the academically rigorous types.
#38
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 211
Re: Moving to the USA: two young teachers... possibilities?
And these Ed.D's are light years apart from the true scholars who get hired as university professors of education.
#39
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: Charleston, SC - Previously Edinburgh
Posts: 264
Re: Moving to the USA: two young teachers... possibilities?
I wouldn't say that I am brilliant, and I am not young. After a successful career and doing a Bsc & MBA (neither of which are research based), I decided to do a PhD - and it's at at top university in the UK. It's not the easiest thing I've ever done, but I am doing well.
My suggestion isn't any more far-fetched than any others. I was merely trying to think outside of the box and help these people - but never mind, looks like we managed to discourage them from coming back.
#40
Re: Moving to the USA: two young teachers... possibilities?
I concur. (if I didn't have a PhD, I'd say "I agree")
#41
Re: Moving to the USA: two young teachers... possibilities?
Interesting hearing people's different opinions and experiences of postgrad study in the US.
I have found that:
(a) a masters generally takes 1-2 years and a PhD 3-4 years. (I spent 6 years getting the two, but worked for 15 weeks every summer during the PhD and my masters thesis was a national health assessment study in the Caribbean, so it took a little longer than expected!
(b) going straight into a PhD from undergraduate is less accepted in the US than the UK
(c) An EdD is not seen as inferior to a PhD in my discipline (which isn't an education discipline). One of the best scientists in my field has a DPE (Doctorate in Physical Education)!
I don't doubt other's experiences to the contrary, but thought I'd record my experiences for posteriority.
I think pursuing a graduate education in the States is an under-recognised path to potential subsequent immigration.
I have found that:
(a) a masters generally takes 1-2 years and a PhD 3-4 years. (I spent 6 years getting the two, but worked for 15 weeks every summer during the PhD and my masters thesis was a national health assessment study in the Caribbean, so it took a little longer than expected!
(b) going straight into a PhD from undergraduate is less accepted in the US than the UK
(c) An EdD is not seen as inferior to a PhD in my discipline (which isn't an education discipline). One of the best scientists in my field has a DPE (Doctorate in Physical Education)!
I don't doubt other's experiences to the contrary, but thought I'd record my experiences for posteriority.
I think pursuing a graduate education in the States is an under-recognised path to potential subsequent immigration.
#42
Re: Moving to the USA: two young teachers... possibilities?
Hello, my boyfriend and I are currently 20 years old. He is just finishing a University degree which is a BA in Primary School Education, and I will have finished a BA in English Literature and a PGCE that qualifies me to teach adults (19+ years old) in English.
We are considering one day moving to the USA, as we have both been before (I have been for 3 months in total). We're just thinking at the moment.
Can somebody outline the basic 'steps' we would have to take? So far I can see that we would;
0. Save up and gain experience here for some years.
1. We need to apply for a visa to the US (which one?) in order to travel over.
2. Find one employer each willing to employ us. (I am confused as to whether this is step one or step two).
3. Apply for a Green Card.
4. Work, whilst waiting for Green Card.
5. No idea what comes next.
We are considering one day moving to the USA, as we have both been before (I have been for 3 months in total). We're just thinking at the moment.
Can somebody outline the basic 'steps' we would have to take? So far I can see that we would;
0. Save up and gain experience here for some years.
1. We need to apply for a visa to the US (which one?) in order to travel over.
2. Find one employer each willing to employ us. (I am confused as to whether this is step one or step two).
3. Apply for a Green Card.
4. Work, whilst waiting for Green Card.
5. No idea what comes next.
So for example, you could teach English to Spanish-speakers, there was someone on here who said they did that in Texas and were quota exempt.
Also you might qualify for J-1.
So basically the school district files an I-129 for you for H-1B, once that's approved you apply for a non-immigrant H-1B visa. And they can also file an I-140 for you to obtain your green card. Bit more to it than that but that's the basic steps involved.