Translating Education and Experience

[mrsushi66 0]

My fiance has asked me several times about working in the USA when she gets here. Actually she keeps waffling between wanting to start a family and working, I told her once she is here we can sit down and figure out what she wants and make a plan together to get her what she wants. Well and she has to get here first!!!

My question is:

She was educated as an Engineer but due to certain circumstances was not allowed to work as an engineer. When she could not work in her trained profession she took what she could get and worked her way up from an administrative assistant to the manager (of about 20-30 people) in an HR department for a major telecom firm.

So how will all of this translate when she is here in the USA? Will people recognize her education and past job skills or will she have to rebuild her career once again?

I know these are tough questions but I was hoping some folks who have been through this might post some of their experiences.

Thanks,

Paul/Anna

[AlmostMex 0]

You should see if there is an engineering society or organization that oversees reciprocity of engineering degrees between her country and the US. Another great source of information would be a state university in your area. They usually know where to refer you to. We are going through this right now for my husband who has a bachelor's of accountancy and experience as an accountant in Mexico. One thing it's pretty easy to assume she'll need is a sealed transcript translated to English from her university in her home country.

As far as job experience, that will be up to the individual employers. Again the society or university may be able to give you some input on what to expect. Sounds like she has some great experience though. Best of luck to you both!

[timelena 0]

Was it a large international company or a small local firm? From my perception, work experience in a local company does not worth a lot here

[Anastassia 0]

In my case work in the international, huge companies didn't help either.

I would say this: all depends on the job market where you are. If she is an engineer of the specialty that is in demand that may be a plus even with no experience.

Administrative skills is what I have and they are excellent, and I looked for a job for 3 months. I had an impression that I was not being offered jobs for the following reasons:

1. being foreign

2. all my references were from Poland and one of the people who interviewed me asked: "how do you call abroad"

3. they don't think that experience from Eastern Europe are equally good

But the above are just my impressions. On the other hand I know a few Russian people here and they had similar experiences.

I was going crazy because not only I was not getting hired, but hardly ever was invited to interviews. Fortunately I found better job that I was initially hoping on getting.

I live in a small town in Virginia, possibly things would have been better in a big city, but who knows ?

Good luck

Ana