what to do with my German job training...

[moonstone 85 0]

Hi People,

I'm about to fly to my fiance in February.

Hopefully when I start the AOS I'll get my EAD in July.

My question is what do I do with my educational training I finished here in Germany.

I'm a qualified pre school teacher here..I work in schools and pre schools and Kindergarten.

I have my certificate and diploma and all that stuff.

Does anyone know if I can transfer that to America? If I let it translate etc.? Can I use it there or do I have to start over?

And am I allowed to attend college while I'm waiting for GC and EAD?

Help is appreciated

THANKS

[kaffy 2]

Start with your state's teacher certification website. They will have the information you need about transferring your credentials and getting licensed

[Stefanie 1]

I assume you are a "Erzieherin" and completed a three-year apprenticeship?!

If you don't plan on going back to college in the USA, I would just go ahead and apply for various positions in early childhood education. On your resume just put "equivalent to an early childhood education degree (Associate's Degree?)" or something like that.

I have been applying for engineering jobs with my German "Dipl.-Ing. (FH)" degree. On my resume I just put "equivalent to Bachelor of Science". It seemed to have worked for me because I have an interview for an engineering position this week.

If you want to go back to college, you would have to get your German grades evaluated. There are several services out there. There majority uses WES.org. Just talk to the college you want to attend.

Good luck!

- Stefanie

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

By golly, that was a darn good answer!

Unfortunately, there are some professions that have no comparable equivalent in another country, and yours seem to fall into that category. For the time being I would focus on getting a job in a child day care center or Kindergarten while trying to get my teaching credentials (differ from State to State). Another option would be to work as a substitute teacher but, of course, your English would have to be excellent for that. Depending on what the translation/equivalency evaluation reveals, you might have a short way to get a Bachelor's and be on your way to a "full" teacher, if that's what your heart desires.

[Stefanie 1]

I agree, child care centers or kindergartens are very good options. Make sure you get a CPR/First Aid certification before you apply and put that on your resume.

Substitute teachers, however, require you to have a Bachelor's degree (in any field). I looked into that myself actually. This wouldn't work for you since your German education is not equivalent to a Bachelor's degree.

Before/after school teaching positions are another option. Most of the time, anyone can apply for those.

You should also check babysitting website. You can make quite a bit of money doing that (I know of several people who made more money babysitting while attending college than they do now working a regular job.).

As for attending college while you wait for your GC, most of the time the college would charge you international tuition. However, if it's a little college, they might just have you pay regular tuition (keep in mind though, that you might have to pay out-of-state tuition because I think there is a one-year residence requirement before you count as an in-state student). I used to take some classes at a local community college. I registered for classes before I had my Green Card. I just told them I applied for one and was awaiting the approval. It worked. However, as I said, it depends on the college.

Edited January 18, 2010 by Stefanie

[KitEEgirl 0]

My husband went through a very similar thing when he moved here. He was a "bankkaufmann". When he sent it in to the WES they gave him an Associates Degree in Applied Sciences. - although he had no luck finding a job and decided to go back and get a Bachelor's degree from the U.S.

Good luck!

[KitEEgirl 0]

As for the college thing.. the University my husband attends required either a Student Visa or a Green card.. However, once you are married to a resident of a state, you automatically become a resident of that state for tuition purposes, so you will NOT be charged international fees...You'll have to provide them with a copy of your Marriage Certificate, but that's about it.

[moonstone 85 0]

Thanks for the help.

Yes i am "Erzieherin" and work here in a after school program.

I'm just wondering in general how all this transfering of my german stuff works over there and if they accept my German diploma.

I know it depends on the state etc so I hope i can find something in a pre school, Kindergarten or after school program again..

Thanks again

[ranchomesa 0]

I assume you are a "Erzieherin" and completed a three-year apprenticeship?!

If you don't plan on going back to college in the USA, I would just go ahead and apply for various positions in early childhood education. On your resume just put "equivalent to an early childhood education degree (Associate's Degree?)" or something like that.

I have been applying for engineering jobs with my German "Dipl.-Ing. (FH)" degree. On my resume I just put "equivalent to Bachelor of Science". It seemed to have worked for me because I have an interview for an engineering position this week.

If you want to go back to college, you would have to get your German grades evaluated. There are several services out there. There majority uses WES.org. Just talk to the college you want to attend.

Good luck!

- Stefanie

Hi Stefanie,

I have the same degree with you "Dipl.-Ing. (FH)" i thought that it will be consider or equivalent to Master of engineering ? i just moved to US recently and still looking for engineering jobs, could you advice me which is the good "Jobs Suchmachine"

danke

Julian

[jundp 191]

Hi Stefanie,

I have the same degree with you "Dipl.-Ing. (FH)" i thought that it will be consider or equivalent to Master of engineering ? i just moved to US recently and still looking for engineering jobs, could you advice me which is the good "Jobs Suchmachine"

danke

Julian

I think you are correct, Julian. My husband has a Dipl.-Informatik and he has the American equivalent of a Master of Science in Computer Science. He had to write a thesis and take graduate level classes.

To the OP: also consider that often private schools in the US will hire you without teacher certification if you show that you are willing to enter a program within a year of hire.

Good luck! The first thing is to translate your transcripts and/or degree. Depending on how long you went to school for training you will have the equivalent of either an AA (associates or two-year degree) or a BA (bachelor's or 4-year degree).

Good luck!

Edited January 23, 2010 by jundp

[moonstone 85 0]

My training was 4 years..1st year "Vorpraktikum" (internship) in a kindergarten, then 2 years full time school and then one year "Berufspraktikum"

During my 2 years internship I also attended school part time.

I guess there is just nothing compared to this in America

thanks guys