How did YOU find your job?!

[LaNina 0]

It looks like these forums and all the questions in this particular forum are mainly for people who already have some kind of authorization to work in the US. I am at the very start in finding a job however, meaning I don't even have a visa that allows me to work. I have been here on a visitor's visa for almost 4 months now and my main goal at the moment is trying to find a SPONSOR for the H1B visa. I am a teacher, certified in my home country. My question to anyone who has been in this situation (more or less), how did you go about in finding a sponsor??! I have been sending out tons of e-mails, some schools reply (just to say they don't sponsor foreigners), some don't. Any suggestions?

[HeatDeath 430]

I was in the same boat, a few years ago. I was a high school computer teacher, looking into options to move to the US without necessarily having to get a fiance visa with my now-wife.

The long and short of it is, unfortunately, virtually no school district in the US will sponsor you for a H-1 unless you have very specific and rare skills they need (e.g. being able to teach early years Hebrew at a Jewish day school). You may have better luck trying at private and charter schools, but honestly, I'm wouldn't be very optimistic. There are options for university and college instructors of various stripes, but very few immigrant work visa options for elementary and secondary school teachers.

[Casprd 167]

My understanding is that you can't just adjust from a B1/B2 to an H1-B visa unless you leave the country at some point. Only thing I could suggest is finding a private school that has ties to your home country probably through mission work or something along those lines.

[Nina~ 431]

HISD (Houston Independent School District) used to offer H1B visas for Math/Science highschool teachers who were willing to work in inner-city schools. I am not sure if they are still doing it because they had their budget slashed this year. You might want to do a google search and see if they offer it.

[HeatDeath 430]

I'd say being willing and able to teach math/science in an inner city school qualifies as a specific and rare skill that is sorely needed. I don't know if you could pay me enough to do that.

[LaNina 0]

HISD (Houston Independent School District) used to offer H1B visas for Math/Science highschool teachers who were willing to work in inner-city schools. I am not sure if they are still doing it because they had their budget slashed this year. You might want to do a google search and see if they offer it.

Was one of the first e-mails I sent out, as well as Austin, Fort Worth and Dallas. They all said they are not doing it this year because of the budget cuts. Thanks though. And thanks for all the replies.

[Jacob Johnson 0]

All the best

[Harsh_77 718]

It looks like these forums and all the questions in this particular forum are mainly for people who already have some kind of authorization to work in the US. I am at the very start in finding a job however, meaning I don't even have a visa that allows me to work. I have been here on a visitor's visa for almost 4 months now and my main goal at the moment is trying to find a SPONSOR for the H1B visa. I am a teacher, certified in my home country. My question to anyone who has been in this situation (more or less), how did you go about in finding a sponsor??! I have been sending out tons of e-mails, some schools reply (just to say they don't sponsor foreigners), some don't. Any suggestions?

I dont think its a good time for a job in teaching that too with a sponsorship, friend of mine USC got laied off from his teaching job in Texas.

As many have said even with the availability of budget, teaching is not a skill where many H1 are filed.

Same time you are not supposed to be in US looking for job, you entered as tourist.

Edited July 25, 2011 by Harsh_77