Jolly1

I'm interested to know if anyone has arrived in the US (especially recently) without any qualifications, a trade or a profession and has had to begin here completely from scratch. I expect the only Brits who could possibly be in this position must be trailing spouses. I left school at 17 and, uncertain what to do, fell into a dead end job. A few years later I met an American girl, we fell in love and, after 4 years of hopping the pond, married. I got my Cr1 in July 2012 and moved over to California. My wife works fulltime whilst doing her masters degree. I've got a whole lot of catching up to do. I've always wanted to continue my education but at the moment the most important thing is paying rent, bills ect. So I'm working at Popeyes and currently looking for a second job. Can't wait to take the next step up the ladder. So, any other expats in a similar boat?

Manc

I got my CDL and went over the road. it sucked a lot. but was worthwhile. Eventually I found a local job that got me home every night. But it sure ain't easy.

Poppy girl

Where are you in CA roughly!
There are plenty of jobs out there for go getters with no qualifications and with an english accent it can open a few doors for you!...where are you looking for work!

MarkCowan

yep, I can help if I knew what part of California you are from

Scouse Express

San Diego......going by previous posts

RICH

On the plus side, if you did have qualifications, they would likely not mean much here.
My meager qualifications have no bearing on the job(s) I got or, the work I do now. Been here 8 years.

I initially got work through temp agencies, that led to permanent, but I would not say it was the perfect solution.


ps. Trailing spouse normally refers to a spouse of a visa holder, often without work authorization, not the spouse of a usc, so consider yourself one step above

civilservant

I will be in this exact situation moving to GA later this year. The job I have now in the UK pays well but and is very technical but I don't have any qualifications as such. Ill be prepared to do anything (hello Walmart or other retail) but at 28 I don't want to be doing that forever. I'm thinking perhaps a law degree part-time after I have been resident long enough to qualify for financial aid.

Mummy in the foothills

After a year in US you will get in state fees for college if you go (unless this has changed recently) If I were you I'd think about what you want to be career wise and start doing classes towards that at a local junior college, it can be very part time so you can work around it and isn't as expensive as full on 4 year college. You can always transfer on to 4 year once you complete a bunch of classes that will transfer on for a degree. Or get a technical training of some sort, those schools can be expensive but also can be shorter, so like Mac did truck driving, or HVAC lots to choose from.
But decide what you want to be before throwing money at classes.

Ozzidoc

Which zipcode are you in? (I'm in 92117)

guitarmaan

I arrived without a job, or any particular skills. In the UK I had simply been lucky to find a high paying job, without a profession. Within a month of arriving in Arizona I found a job. It was very easy, and if you look on craigslist there are countless jobs on offer. If you seem credible in interview, you'll be fine.

I've considering going down the CDL route in future myself, because driving work appeals to me. Why did it suck?

Xebedee

Done it.
First thing I did was quit a minimum wage factory job and get a GED (at age 30). My O-levels mean nothing here.
It then took two yrs on one income whilst I went fulltime to a college for an AAS.
At the time we bought a house and started a family too.
Then I did 8yrs of night classes whilst working fulltime as a draughtsman.
Got a BSci and have had work since then.

I suggest you return to England and take your wife with you after she's finished her degree. Yank companies treat their employees like dirt.

Seriously.

Chrisdc

Or find an industry/trade that values it's employees.

I've been treated very well by the four different US corporations I worked for in the last ten years.

Poppy girl

I just got a new job as a marketing director and the position required a Bachelors degree which I do not have but I applied regardless and beat out 62other applicants
I have always found it much easier to get work in the US prospective employers are very receptive, don't sell yourself short, apply for jobs and if you are not qualified enough, explain in detail why you feel you are the right fit, email and snail mail your application with a photo, I know there are a few on BE that are against the photo suggestion, but I have always been praised for having the initiative to send mine.

Nothing wrong with Popeyes good on ya it's a job, but Craigslist and Indeed are your friends......Good Luck

Bob

Until you become surplus to requirements. They can change on you very quickly...overnight even.

Pulaski

And the answer is to outperform your coworkers consistently, with a goal of becoming indispensable if possible, moving around internally, and gaining experience and qualifications/ certifications applicable to your role, .... and hope there isn't a last-in-first-out lay-off before a bunch of people join after you.