Seeking Advice about Belarusian Fiance wanting to find Work in the USA

[Corey and Katia 0]

Hello,

My fiancé from Belarus and I are currently working on a K-1 Visa, which has already been approved by the USCIS. She is excited to come here, but is very nervous about job prospects and wishes to feel better about this after she arrives here in the USA. I have explained that there will still be a 2-3 month wait after we marry before she is authorized to work, and she is fine with this, but the largest worry in her mind is being able to find a job after this time.

She is currently an MD (Psychiatrist) in Belarus and has been doing this for 10 years. She is also fluent in several languages (English, French, Belarusian, Russian, and Lithuanian). She hopes to find work in either Psychiatry or language translation (maybe in the medical field). Can someone provide advice on this that may have gone through a similar situation? I'm not sure what she would need to do to continue her same line of work in the USA (or transition to something else like interpreter), and I thought I could get help pointing us in the right direction.

Thanks much,

Corey

[EricAndOrn 30]

The thing that came to my mind when I read your post was a question that was asked on the DS-160 application

Are you a graduate of a foreign medical school seeking to perform medical services in the United States but have not yet passed the National Board of Medical Examiners examination or its equivalent?

So, if I were you, I would look into what the National Board of Medical Examiners is about and if it applies to you. Apparently there is an exam she can take.

[NikLR 13,228]

There is a short supply of Psychiatrists in the USA so she shouldn't have an issue once she is able to work. But being able to work as a psychiatrist will likely require more than just an EAD. She likely needs to be certified in the USA as the other poster mentioned. She should have her CV (resume) at the interview as well because she would like to pursue this profession in the USA. Just in case they ask.

http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291066.htm

http://www.abpn.com/

Right at the top of that website is a link to becoming certified.

Edited December 25, 2015 by NLR

[Corey and Katia 0]

Thank you for the responses. After looking at this material, I think I have more questions than answers, because first she would need to get certified here in Minnesota, so I'll have to find out how that works.

With that said, I think she is really wishing to drop Psychiatry, and pursue language interpretation instead. If anyone has advice or experiences in this area, please let me know how to best proceed down this route.

[D.Ba 85]

Since I have a degree in translation my mantra is that knowing languages is not the same as being able to translate (written) or interpret (oral). However, these tasks are often performed by people without the relevant degree/training, and with this in-depth knowledge she has a very good chance of getting translation orders.

Translating is a typical free-lance profession and mainly poorly paid.

[Corey and Katia 0]

Since I have a degree in translation my mantra is that knowing languages is not the same as being able to translate (written) or interpret (oral). However, these tasks are often performed by people without the relevant degree/training, and with this in-depth knowledge she has a very good chance of getting translation orders.

Translating is a typical free-lance profession and mainly poorly paid.

Thank you for this response. I'm assuming this is a 4 year degree. May I get some kind of idea of the salaries for the free-lance option?

[shayy17 3]

In order to practice medicine in the U.S.:

USMLE step 1.2 and 3

Apply for residency or fellowships

This is not a simple process but psychiatry is not as competitive as other specialties and if she wants it she will get it if she is dedicated (each exam takes some significant preparation especially for someone long out of med school)

Don't know enough about translation but there will likely be a big salary difference if that matters

[NikLR 13,228]

Looking at psychiatrists pay in MN she can make up to 200k a year. Im going to bet that translations, especially in the USA, will not pay anywhere close to that.

[aleful 1,905]

Thank you for this response. I'm assuming this is a 4 year degree. May I get some kind of idea of the salaries for the free-lance option?

hi

you can go to college depending on the state, but there is really no obligation, I have a certificate in translation studies from Miami Dade College in Florida, English-Spanish, only a few courses for a certificate. 2 year career for an Associate's Degree in Translation and Interpretation Studies

unless she decides to be certified court interpreter, there is no need for a degree, she just has to find her nitche

there are websites where you can place a bid on translations, but as said, it is poorly paid, because you have to compete with people all over the globe, since the world wide web has united us and put us closer

she should be fluent in all languages, in writing for translation and oral for interpretation, she has to know English very well and to be able to write it grammatically correct.

aside from the language, a lot of people just specialize in one area and chose to do translations in that specific area

[aleful 1,905]

hi

you can go to college depending on the state, but there is really no obligation, I have a certificate in translation studies from Miami Dade College in Florida, English-Spanish, only a few courses for a certificate. 2 year career for an Associate's Degree in Translation and Interpretation Studies

unless she decides to be certified court interpreter, there is no need for a degree, she just has to find her nitche

there are websites where you can place a bid on translations, but as said, it is poorly paid, because you have to compete with people all over the globe, since the world wide web has united us and put us closer

she should be fluent in all languages, in writing for translation and oral for interpretation, she has to know English very well and to be able to write it grammatically correct.

aside from the language, a lot of people just specialize in one area and chose to do translations in that specific area

also

there are no salaries, you are given a project, which can be a page, less than a page or more than a page, mostly paid per word translated, some translate as low as $0.02 cents per word, so imagine how many documents does she have to translate, and how many hours does she have to spend to really make some money? that's why it's freelance

[Adil & Jeanne 296]

She will need an additional 2 years of study in US to take the exam but there are so many areas she can work as PA that is assistant

or in the mental health field where the shortage is the most as i worked in a facitilty that housed and taught mentally handicapped

my freind came from Egypt and was a medical specialist in his country / he is back in college here doing additional studies to pass our certification exams (just an example)

[Boiler 45,715]

Is it English or American she knows?

[D.Ba 85]

As a professional translator you only ever translate into your native language.

In special subjects, the price paid per line might well be 1-2 dollars. Like translating annual reports for listed companies.

[san diego 407]

There is no way she can come in and start working as an MD. However, there is a very clear path for foreign MDs. It is long though. I recommend the moment she arrives she starts studying for exams. It will take about 2 years to pass exams. Then she will go into residency

For example, my wife is a vet doctor. She never even attempted exams. She works in my company as scientist.

[Yoveeta 36]

To my opinion knowing languages is always advantage for various jobs.. Maybe knowing Lithuanian is not very useful (though she can talk to me), but French and Russian is useful if you want to find job in international companies..