Volunteering as an option initially?

[ScotsinAZ 0]

Morning All,

We arrive in the US mid-July. My wife (J-1) starts her new job in early August but I need to apply for permission to work in the first instance so likely won't be able to start a job until October/November or thereabouts. Whilst spending a few months by the pool sounds like a grand plan, I'm keen to build a reasonable network and gather a few professional references in that time which will likely stand me in better stead with American employers.

I have volunteered some time in Scotland for the last four years for three different local charities and that's likely the kind of thing I'd be looking to do again in Arizona. With several weeks of essentially free time to play with, it seems the best use of that time. My question is whether this is even possible or whether it would breach anything on the visa in the States. Whilst I wouldn't be working as such (earning anyway), I imagine there might be insurance issues to overcome for the organization and there might be issues with taking away an opportunity for someone who could be employed and I'm keen not to cause any trouble!

My professional qualifications and experience are primarily in Human Resources Management (just completed the SHRM-SCP course and had my UK qualifications matched across to US equivalents) but I don't expect to find something in my field in this voluntary nature (although that would obviously be a preference). My intention is also to make contact with several employers during this time with a view to positioning myself appropriately in the lead up to me becoming eligible to work.

Many thanks for any guidance.

[A'n'L 735]

You may volunteer, but as a volunteer you may not do any job that someone might otherwise be paid to do. So, thread carefully :-)

[ScotsinAZ 0]

You may volunteer, but as a volunteer you may not do any job that someone might otherwise be paid to do. So, thread carefully :-)

Many thanks A'n'L,

Appreciate that. I'll certainly be very careful to avoid that pitfall.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

There are plenty of charitable and non-profit organizations that can't afford to hire enough staff to do all the work. They depend on many volunteers to accomplish their goals. You wouldn't be taking anybody's job in that kind of situation.

An example of a dodgy practice might be --Let me "volunteer" in your HR department with no pay until I get work authorized. Then you can pay me for those months after I have proper documentation.

[ScotsinAZ 0]

There are plenty of charitable and non-profit organizations that can't afford to hire enough staff to do all the work. They depend on many volunteers to accomplish their goals. You wouldn't be taking anybody's job in that kind of situation.

An example of a dodgy practice might be --Let me "volunteer" in your HR department with no pay until I get work authorized. Then you can pay me for those months after I have proper documentation.

Thanks again. No worries on that front - all I'll be after from that period is a couple of positive references so there's no attempt at that sort of deception.

[TBoneTX 45,568]

Here's a good idea:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/502652-where-should-i-go/?p=7091069

[ScotsinAZ 0]

Here's a good idea:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/502652-where-should-i-go/?p=7091069

That's a cracking idea. Thank you very much.

[TBoneTX 45,568]

You're welcome. Without pressure on yourself, you can make friendly contacts and also pick up on how businesses operate here.