Chances of getting h1-b with my education/experience?

[greenkomodo 0]

I achieved a 2:1 in BSc Information and Communications Technology and I have 18 months experience in the field I want to go into (IT Support).

Do I even stand a chance of getting a company to sponsor me for a job? I'm looking at Virginia or DC as that's where I have relations.

Thanks for any advice.

Edited February 10, 2014 by greenkomodo

[lost_at_sea 995]

Honestly? The US is not short of IT technicians. Perhaps look into doing an internship in the US, or returning to school there.

[Boiler 45,912]

Have you thought of getting a job in the UK with a company that will transfer you?

Fort a H you need a job, sounds like you are qualified, do you have prospective employment?

[greenkomodo 0]

I thought about the transfer option but that's really a long shot finding a company which has a US office and that US office being in a state I'd actually want to live in.

Do you know of any websites or places to look and apply for jobs? I found a lot of dodgey sites wanting money for services.

Edited February 10, 2014 by greenkomodo

[RhettVoe 282]

millions of Americans out of work....why do we need to import labor?

[lost_at_sea 995]

It doesn't really work like that. Companies don't just advertise for skilled foreigners - there's many in the US already who are skilled in your field. You need to be someone with skills they are unable to fill locally.

If there are companies you are specifically interested in, you'd do better to check their job listings and/or contact their hiring departments to see if they have vacancies that fit your skill set. Especially since you want to be in a very specific area of the US only.

Edited February 10, 2014 by lost_at_sea

[Boiler 45,912]

Most of the IT visa's go to outsourcing companies, Indian is the norm, and they bring people in because it is cheaper.

[JohnR! 5,495]

I achieved a 2:1 in BSc Information and Communications Technology and I have 18 months experience in the field I want to go into (IT Support).

Do I even stand a chance of getting a company to sponsor me for a job? I'm looking at Virginia or DC as that's where I have relations.

Thanks for any advice.

IMHO, as an IT support person you will have a hard time to find a company willing to sponsor you with so little experience. In addition the supply of IT technicians far outweighs the demand. Having said that however, consider moving towards Computer Science or Engineering, Programming and Development where you might have a better chance. On the same note, many of the companies in the VA/DC area do government contracting work, which would pose an additional hurdle to any non-citizen personnel. My suggestion is that you start looking at Sta. Clara Valley / Cupertino areas, where the movers and shakers in IT are housed.

Good luck!

[timo900 0]

I am getting my diploma in Environmental Management and Planning in June and I only have experience with 3 internships in foreign country, do I have a chance?The state I would like to go is CA, southern part.

[JohnR! 5,495]

I am getting my diploma in Environmental Management and Planning in June and I only have experience with 3 internships in foreign country, do I have a chance?The state I would like to go is CA, southern part.

SUGGESTION: Consider continuing your studies here at any of the UC's campuses so that you can check the job market in person. It is easier to make contacts when you are here, studying.

[timo900 0]

SUGGESTION: Consider continuing your studies here at any of the UC's campuses so that you can check the job market in person. It is easier to make contacts when you are here, studying.

No way in hell I could ever afford any schools in US. I actually am visiting with ESTA soon, so I am going to try the knocking companies doors and try to find what I am looking for, I know there is low chance but Im willing to outwork anyone.

[JohnR! 5,495]

No way in hell I could ever afford any schools in US. I actually am visiting with ESTA soon, so I am going to try the knocking companies doors and try to find what I am looking for, I know there is low chance but Im willing to outwork anyone.

In this case, consider going to the companies' corporate web pages where you can find a link to 'careers' or 'jobs'.

[lost_at_sea 995]

I am getting my diploma in Environmental Management and Planning in June and I only have experience with 3 internships in foreign country, do I have a chance?The state I would like to go is CA, southern part.

A diploma is likely to be insufficient to get a H1B (I believe it requires a bachelors degree, or equivalent, at a minimum). I'd look into internships (J1) or intra-company transfers (L1 - get hired by a firm with international offices, have them transfer you later).

[timo900 0]

A diploma is likely to be insufficient to get a H1B (I believe it requires a bachelors degree, or equivalent, at a minimum). I'd look into internships (J1) or intra-company transfers (L1 - get hired by a firm with international offices, have them transfer you later).

Diploma is meant as a Bachelors degree. I have done J1 internships 3 summers already just not related to my field.

[victorian221b 12]

This is a very vague question as each situation is different and also based on what you can find. I personally came from an H1-B background - had a degree in Engineering and stayed to work in manufacturing. But this was pre-recession days. I do hear that companies are less likely to hire foreign nationals today if they can help it because it is extra cost for them (averaging at least $5000) to plunk down on just one person and as someone "kindly" mentions unemployment is high. If you absolutely have skills that they can't find in domestic workers then you may have a greater chance - for example, language skills or if you have like research background is sub-atomic particle fission or something.

With that said, you won't know what your chances are unless you try. No one here can give you a definite answer - especially with today's economy.