How can an (experienced) foreign find work in the US?
How can an (experienced) foreign find work in the US?
(OP)
Hello,
I am from Southeast Asia. I came to the US right after highschool and received my bachelor's and master's in Civil/Structural from a university in Illinois, and passed the FE/EIT right after I got my BSc. I then worked for a couple companies in Chicago. In 2009, the company I was working for wasn't (and still not) doing so well, so I was let go. Instead of waiting around for an extended period of time, I decided to go back to my home country to work and do business here. After a while, I realized that I really would rather work in the US instead of here in my home country.
Here are some of my concerns:
1) My line of work differs greatly. My jobs back in the US consisted of mainly consulting work (I provided contractor support for my first job; and designed power plants components in my second job). But my work here mostly deals with the business and marketing side of things (construction/contractor, and also housing residence development). How do companies view differing work fields like this?
2) I got my EIT back in 2002. Back then, as my previous employer was a big company (3000+ engineers+drafters at its peak, and they had 60-ish PE holders for Illinois), I was not required to take PE and hence didn't take it. Would it look bad for me if I have so much time after getting EIT and still not obtaining my PE?
3) I don't have green card/permanent residence and hence I'll need sponsorship. How is the job climate nowadays?
4) I currently live outside of the US. I understand that eventually I'll have fly up there to meet potential employers, but how do I establish contacts from all the way over here?
From these 4 points I am most concerned about numbers 3 and 4, as I can probably explain 1 and 2.
Thanks for reading the wall of text :)
I am from Southeast Asia. I came to the US right after highschool and received my bachelor's and master's in Civil/Structural from a university in Illinois, and passed the FE/EIT right after I got my BSc. I then worked for a couple companies in Chicago. In 2009, the company I was working for wasn't (and still not) doing so well, so I was let go. Instead of waiting around for an extended period of time, I decided to go back to my home country to work and do business here. After a while, I realized that I really would rather work in the US instead of here in my home country.
Here are some of my concerns:
1) My line of work differs greatly. My jobs back in the US consisted of mainly consulting work (I provided contractor support for my first job; and designed power plants components in my second job). But my work here mostly deals with the business and marketing side of things (construction/contractor, and also housing residence development). How do companies view differing work fields like this?
2) I got my EIT back in 2002. Back then, as my previous employer was a big company (3000+ engineers+drafters at its peak, and they had 60-ish PE holders for Illinois), I was not required to take PE and hence didn't take it. Would it look bad for me if I have so much time after getting EIT and still not obtaining my PE?
3) I don't have green card/permanent residence and hence I'll need sponsorship. How is the job climate nowadays?
4) I currently live outside of the US. I understand that eventually I'll have fly up there to meet potential employers, but how do I establish contacts from all the way over here?
From these 4 points I am most concerned about numbers 3 and 4, as I can probably explain 1 and 2.
Thanks for reading the wall of text :)





RE: How can an (experienced) foreign find work in the US?
Or talk to old acquaintances/employers
<<A good friend will bail you out of jail, but a true friend
will be sitting beside you saying ” Damn that was fun!” - Unknown>>
RE: How can an (experienced) foreign find work in the US?
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: How can an (experienced) foreign find work in the US?
RE: How can an (experienced) foreign find work in the US?
When you worked in the US, what was your status? Did you have a green card then? Did you relinquish it when you left the country? Are there any problems associated with your previous residency that would affect gaining permanent residency again?
RE: How can an (experienced) foreign find work in the US?
RE: How can an (experienced) foreign find work in the US?
RE: How can an (experienced) foreign find work in the US?
You may have luck with an international company that has 1 or more US offices.
RE: How can an (experienced) foreign find work in the US?
B+W Engineering and Design
Los Angeles Civil Engineer and Structural Engineer
http://bwengr.com | http://bwstructuralengineer.com | http://bwcivilengineer.com
RE: How can an (experienced) foreign find work in the US?
Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.
WWW.amlinereast.com