Working in Miami - air conditioning engineer
Oct 23rd 2019, 8:27 am
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 2
Working in Miami - air conditioning engineer
Good morning Guys
I just moved to Miami on K1 visa so I have 3 months to get my affairs in order. I have been a air conditioning engineer for almost 10 years in the UK so I just thought i'd ask everyone's opinion on what would be the best angle to get in to work in the HVAC industry or links on recruitment agencies or do I have to go back to tech school to be recognized in my industry . Any help would be appreciated
I just moved to Miami on K1 visa so I have 3 months to get my affairs in order. I have been a air conditioning engineer for almost 10 years in the UK so I just thought i'd ask everyone's opinion on what would be the best angle to get in to work in the HVAC industry or links on recruitment agencies or do I have to go back to tech school to be recognized in my industry . Any help would be appreciated
Oct 23rd 2019, 1:23 pm
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Near Lynchburg Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels
Posts: 1,381
Re: Working in Miami - air conditioning engineer
The term engineer can mean different things
here. Do you design large commercial systems for huge buildings or install and repair residential units? In the process of building my own house and designing and installing my own HVAC system I came across a forum that helped me a lot. It’s mainly for pros. HVAC-talk. Post a question about your case and Florida and you will get a lot of advice. Clarify to them what engineer means in this case.
here. Do you design large commercial systems for huge buildings or install and repair residential units? In the process of building my own house and designing and installing my own HVAC system I came across a forum that helped me a lot. It’s mainly for pros. HVAC-talk. Post a question about your case and Florida and you will get a lot of advice. Clarify to them what engineer means in this case.
Oct 23rd 2019, 2:04 pm
#3
Sad old Crinkly Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Posts: 807
Re: Working in Miami - air conditioning engineer
I agree, Engineer would mean someone that designs HVAC systems for homes or industrial facilities.
This would require an engineering degree from a University.
Is this what you were doing in the UK?
A guy that installs and repairs systems would be an HVAC technician.
Also licensed. You would need this to work in Fl, typically obtained via 18 months or so at a technical college.
This would require an engineering degree from a University.
Is this what you were doing in the UK?
A guy that installs and repairs systems would be an HVAC technician.
Also licensed. You would need this to work in Fl, typically obtained via 18 months or so at a technical college.
Oct 23rd 2019, 2:05 pm
#4
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,388
Re: Working in Miami - air conditioning engineer
BTW you don't have 3 months to get yourself together. You have 90 days from date of entry. Some months have more than 30 days in it so count carefully. I do hope you speak Spanish.
Oct 23rd 2019, 2:13 pm
#5
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Working in Miami - air conditioning engineer
And then maybe a 6 month wait after you file to adjust before you get work authorisation.
Oct 23rd 2019, 2:58 pm
#6
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 2
Re: Working in Miami - air conditioning engineer
Thanks a lot I will look at HVAC talk forum
Oct 23rd 2019, 5:56 pm
#7
Sad old Crinkly Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Posts: 807
Re: Working in Miami - air conditioning engineer
I looked into this 20 years ago and decided to focus on something else.
Here's a breakdown of the various licensing criteria.
Maybe there's a way to just take and pass the certification exams. I can't answer to that.
https://hvactraining101.com/florida-hvac-certificate/
Here's a breakdown of the various licensing criteria.
Maybe there's a way to just take and pass the certification exams. I can't answer to that.
https://hvactraining101.com/florida-hvac-certificate/
Oct 24th 2019, 10:13 am
#8
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2015
Location: NC, USA (ex Yorkshire)
Posts: 4,375
Re: Working in Miami - air conditioning engineer
Once you're work authorized see if there are larger companies struggling to find talent. Here in NC there seems to be such a shortage that companies are paying people to go and learn the trade.
Oct 24th 2019, 12:03 pm
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,900
Re: Working in Miami - air conditioning engineer
I lived in Miami a long time.
Once you get all of the various legal registrations - work authorisations and professional registration - freelance could be the way to go.
Miami is unbearable without air conditioning between May and October and sometimes in between.
Once you get all of the various legal registrations - work authorisations and professional registration - freelance could be the way to go.
Miami is unbearable without air conditioning between May and October and sometimes in between.
Oct 24th 2019, 6:36 pm
#10
Sad old Crinkly Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Posts: 807
Re: Working in Miami - air conditioning engineer
To be fair, Miami is unbearable at any time.
