Help finding a sponsoring companies with little experience?

[IslandShellz 0]

Hello Everyone!

First, if there is already a thread like this i apologize and ask that you please help me to find it!

I recently graduated University with a Bachelor's in Biology (I also have my AA degree), as an F1 student from the Caribbean. While in school the most experience I got from only being able to work on campus was as a cashier. Right after I graduated i landed an entry level lab technician job with no real other experience except school coursework. The company was e verified (which helps because i would like to apply for the STEM extension) and they were also willing to sponsor a work visa.

Bad news-
I had to wait an additional 3 months before my initial OPT authorization card came in the mail and i had to be let go. I was told I could contact them later, but that was of no help in the end. So enter my new endless job search and rejection letters. I'm more interested in the lab and/or clinical side of science, I've interned with and shadowed dentists and taken countless labs in school. (I am actually certified for dental assisting but later learned-since i don't need a bachelors to be a dental assistant i can not pursue this)
Last month I was hired to be an emergency department scribe for a hospital, however to my knowledge they don't e verify and they don't sponsor many visas unless you have moved up the ladder a bit after a year or two


The past few days have been me searching entry level jobs related to my major and every time i think i've found a good place to apply i realize that they don't have much history with sponsoring for an h1b and most aren't e verified (although i'm told i can ask them to e verify). I'm sticking with my current job in hopes of gaining good experience that will make me a stronger asset but knowing that i have to apply for my extension in another 4/5 months makes me anxious to be with a company that covers all the bases now. I've thought about obtaining clinical and lab technologist certifications but from what i've read i might need up to a year of clinical experience first (which doesn't relieve me of having an e verified job in place while i would commit to that process)

MY QUESTION
Is there anyone that might have been in similar shoes that can offer some hope and job search advice?
I just feel like i'm on such a time crunch to gain experience and land a job with certain companies.... Am I just panicking too soon lol? Does anyone here have some tips and tricks they can share that they've went through?

Appreciating everyone's help in advance!

[randomstairs 303]

Some of the best employers in STEM are not eligible for STEM extension (no e-verify). Beats me, but that's how it is.

In a long run, going with the best employer who can sponsor H1B is the best solution. Put more weight on career development than on immigration issues. Eventually this approach will help you with immigration too.

Utilizing your EAD and getting the STEM extension makes a lot of sense, especially if you're running out of time. But don't limit your options to that.

That said, the H1B process may take about 9 months. So you're not panicking too soon at all. With your time-frame you should find a sponsor ASAP. There are options for you to stay in the country lawfully even if your OPT expires, as long as you're in the process of applying for H1B.

Edited December 18, 2016 by randomstairs

[milimelo 4,477]

Pharmaceutical companies?

[catherinemondigir 0]

Pharmaceutical companies?

Do you know any pharmaceutical company that might sponsor a candidate living outside of America? Edited December 19, 2016 by catherinemondigir

[Iknownothing 0]

Look around on this website http://redbus2us.com/h1b-visa-sponsors/ . Just search for a job title and you will see what companies that have filed h1b for that job and how many.

[IslandShellz 0]

Some of the best employers in STEM are not eligible for STEM extension (no e-verify). Beats me, but that's how it is.

In a long run, going with the best employer who can sponsor H1B is the best solution. Put more weight on career development than on immigration issues. Eventually this approach will help you with immigration too.

Utilizing your EAD and getting the STEM extension makes a lot of sense, especially if you're running out of time. But don't limit your options to that.

That said, the H1B process may take about 9 months. So you're not panicking too soon at all. With your time-frame you should find a sponsor ASAP. There are options for you to stay in the country lawfully even if your OPT expires, as long as you're in the process of applying for H1B.

- Thats exactly what i'm coming to realize. I remembered my immigration advisor telling me that the STEM extension can give you additional opportunities to apply for h1b if you don't get picked the first time, but getting hired with a company that e verifies AND sponsors in the area doesn't seem like it goes hand in hand. I also went back and looked up options in OPT expiring and didn't realize all my options until you said it so thank you. Also i was told that I HAVE to apply for h1b during every quota, and i understand the importance, but if my company doesn't sponsor that means i can't right? the person that told me this confused me a little because my understanding is that only the company can file for you.

Look around on this website http://redbus2us.com/h1b-visa-sponsors/ . Just search for a job title and you will see what companies that have filed h1b for that job and how many.

- Thank you so much for the website!

[IslandShellz 0]

Pharmaceutical companies?

Thank you, I've actually recently been trying to identify all of the pharma companies in the area, A small amount have already rejected me and most don't have jobs listed yet that seem to come close to my resume and skills but i'm constantly checking back.

[JessDak 27]

Shellz, although I myself didn't get sponsored through work, I do have two other Bahamian friends here in Minnesota who did.

Both of them had the same strategy (and both are being sponsored through two different jobs, for their greencards): Apply to colleges.

With a degree in biology you can at very least get a job as a TA/lab assistant and hopefully move up to a more significant position during your time there. From what I hear, its not hard to get the STEM extension as long as you're employed so you've got 2 years to move up and impress them enough to want to sponsor your H1B/Greencard. The reason why I say colleges is that they are exempt from the H1B cap and so they tend to be a bit more lax when it comes to sponsorship.

 

Still continue to do your own research but this is my best advice! Good luck!