ritchie684

Good evening folks,

New to the site and was wondering if anyone would be able to help me out. I'm planning on a career switch and have always wanted to visit, live, work and experience life in California so was looking to take a 12+ week trip there.
I'm not fussy in regards to what type of work I could do, if any. I have savings so could still come and not work but i'd prefer not to if its a possibility.
I'm a 32 year old man with a degree in IT along with being a certified personal trainer.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

sir_eccles

Enjoy your vacation.

You may do volunteer work but it must be truly volunteer not doing something for free that other people normal do.

Make sure your stay is less than 90 days.

Hotscot

When you say a career switch do you mean from a current career in which you have experience to a new career?
Please be aware that the US is very difficult to move to.
In a nutshell.
Company transfer.
Find a company that really must have your specific, hard to find, skills.
Find a US girl or boy, friend and get married.

Check out the FAQ's at the top of the site for tons of information.
Especially this
http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulask...ork_in_the_USA

Come back when you've read them and have informed questions.

scrubbedexpat099

IT gives you options many do not have.

Sally Redux

Not sure what you're asking. Is the trip to scope out work in a different field, or just a break?

Nutmegger

To be sponsored for a visa perhaps -- but for a twelve-week "career break" in CA?

scrubbedexpat099

Temporary transfer?

Pulaski

Unless you are a US citizen you need a visa to take on paid employment. A visa costs $$$$, what do you think the chances of short-term temporary work is?

Bob

For 12 weeks and not fresh out of uni for a internship? No chance realistically of a visa to allow work and it wouldn't be worth the cost/hassle anyway.

Enjoy the holiday.

ritchie684

Really appreciate all the feedback. I've been working on getting out of IT and do my own start-up basically and I have friends in Cali and have always wanted to visit the state so I seen it as a perfect opportunity to. 12 weeks is really a ball park figure as it could be less but I just wondered if there was any possibility I could earn at all whilst there really or make is so i'm not spending a fortune on accommodation.
I did look into volunteer work and its looked interesting, may look further into that.

scrubbedexpat099

You could try Home Depot.

Pulaski

No.

off_again

I think the advice that everyone has given is probably the best so far - don't get paid (you can't and its in breach of the VWP and can jeaposize things going forward). Company transfer is the easiest option, but if you can find someone / a company to sponsor you, this can and does work. Its a lot of paperwork and its an investment - but it can take time. Have a back-up plan though.

I did a company transfer and from committing to start the process and moving here took 6 months (thats with everything settled in the UK and fully moved to the USA). I have been told that this is pretty quick, but it still takes time and sponsored visa can take some time to get processed. Just set your expectations.

Noorah101

It sounds like your main goal is to visit the USA, with a side chance if earning money while here on the visit. That is not possible. The VWP does not allow you to work in the USA at all.

Rene

Sally Redux

I think he eventually wants to live and work in California.