Career Advice
Career Advice
(OP)
I am looking to move from Scotland to the US (Austin, Texas)and would like to work as a Civil Enginer. I have a Masters Degree and 7 years of Experience but am uncertain as to how I should go about getting work and a Visa. The problem is that I cant get a Visa without an employer, and I cant get employment without a Visa (a classic Catch 22!). Further to this I have noticed that I require a professional licence but am unclear whether I qualify for this, and if so, how I can get one.
My question is:- Is there any Engineers who have had experiences of making a move like this, and if so, do you have any useful advice?
My question is:- Is there any Engineers who have had experiences of making a move like this, and if so, do you have any useful advice?





RE: Career Advice
They already had Visa's, so I don't know what difficulties they went through obtaining those.
To get PA licenses, however, was very difficult. PA did not want to recognize either of their degrees (even their advanced ones), or much of their foreign experience.
Both gentlemen, however, were eventually approved to sit for the exams.
My advice to you: before you leave Scotland, contact the Engineering Licensing Board in Texas and find out what they will require (in the USA, licensing is done by each state, and the criteria varies greatly). Also, document any experience you have had under a P.E. licensed in any US state, and get something in writing from that PE. In PA, you need 4 verifiable years under a PE.
Remember: The Chinese ideogram for “crisis” is comprised of the characters for “danger” and “opportunity.”
-Steve
RE: Career Advice
You will most likely need the services of a credential evaluation firm to act as a liason between your desire to become licensed in the US and your background and credentials.
It is a shock to many people that the requirements for licensure in the US are very strict and very well organized. The use of foreign experience and degrees complicates the process greatly.
A credential service will equate your foreign degrees to "American" equivalents for use by State agencies in assisting you with your licensure requests. You still may be required to enhance your experience to meet requirements, but it is all well worth the effort in the end....
I believe this site may help....
http://www.ecei.org/
Let us know how you make out....
BobPE
RE: Career Advice
Whycome you want to move from Scotland to Austin?
Hg
RE: Career Advice
Good luck with whatever you decide.
RE: Career Advice
You can come over here on a vacation visa, find someone to marry you, then go back home and await the visa approval.
Otherwise, it is extremely difficult to immigrant to the US and typically will take you up to 10-15 years. In regards to sponsors, unless you have a friend with an important position at a firm that is willing to sponsor you, it will be near impossible to find a sponsoring firm. The job market in the US is not that great right now and most firms are not even willing to recruit workers outside of their normal marketing area. The firms feel that plenty of help is available locally.
As far as practicing, your best bet is to get another degree over here. That will expedite the process of getting a PE license.
Another avenue for getting over here is to come over here as a student. You may be able to find a spouse while you are studying.
Good luck.
RE: Career Advice
RE: Career Advice
A region by region analysis may be helpful.
RE: Career Advice
Dave.
RE: Career Advice
But a graduate degree isn't that helpful for licensure. Undergrad degrees seem to be all they care about. However, a grad program would at least get you a student visa.
Hg
RE: Career Advice
Scott
RE: Career Advice
HgTX gave you the citations. Now for the "hard to swallow" part. Not all UK "masters" degrees match up very well with US degree programs. This is particularly true for geotechnical engineering for some reason. Your experience will probably help you land a job - it seems that European firms generally do a very good job of mentoring their young staff. But the licensing part? That will take real persistence - and maybe another degree...
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