Media work in Chicago area

[LotsofQuestions 0]

Okay so first of all, let me introduce myself, as I'm new to these forums ☺️

 

I live in the UK - I was born here and grew up here. I am currently a mature student at university and will graduate in June next year. I left a menial, dead-end job of many years to better myself and to get the career in media I've always wanted.

 

After I've finished uni, I want to move to the US - specifically Chicago. My university bachelor's degree will be in journalism and I want to secure a job in this trade (or doing something else in the wider media industry). 

 

I love writing - it is my passion - and I think I'd like to work for either an online-based media outlet in Chicago or one of their print publications. I would write to the Tribune or the Sun-Times, however, I think striking lucky there - even getting a response - is probably being a little too removed from reality. I do have experience working in the UK national press, however, and I have even been published in two national newspapers during my time as a news desk intern on those national newspapers. My interests are broad and I love human interest stories, politics, transport and crime issues.

 

Chicago is my dream. It's where I want to be. But I just don't know how to go about this. Of course, I'll need to have the offer of a job from a prospective employer before I can even begin my immigration visa process. Can I start the process now by looking for a job for when I have graduated next year or is it too early? I imagine the whole immigration visa process from start to finish is frightfully and agonisingly long (these things usually are, right?) so should I start now? 

 

I also would appreciate if people could give advise on the following: 

 

1) When the time comes, will I be applying as a so-called "third preference" immigrant worker? I'll have a bachelor's degree from a British university (or if I apply before graduation, I'll be expecting to have a degree) and will be applying for "professional" roles in the media, so i guess this makes me a third preference immigrant worker?

 

2) I have a misdemeanor (a DUI from years ago) . Will this make finding employment harder? I understand the US has no such thing as convictions becoming "spent" like here in the UK, and so I guess I'll have to declare it on all application forms for employment and also on the immigration? Are things classed as "misdemeanors" in the US most likely to end up in my application for an immigrant visa to be rejected even in the case of being offered a job? I'd hate for a stupid mistake in the distant past to ruin my dream of making it to the US.

 

3) How can I go about securing work? Simply looking on recruitment websites? Maybe by writing to people/emailing people? Here in the UK, often media jobs are secured simply through having made contact with the right person, as opposed to formally applying for a position; I imagine it's worth to try networking with and reaching out to people in the media industry in Chicago?

 

4) Who will be my petitioner? I have no family or friends in the US. 

 

I'm really looking forward to any advise which may come my way - I have my heart set on settling down in Chicago and starting a new life for myself. I just hope I can jump through all these hoops and climb all the hurdles. 

 

 

 

Edited September 19, 2019 by LotsofQuestions

[Boiler 45,712]

I am not sure any job in Journalism is secure, one of the advantages of working on line is you would not be location dependent.

 

You would need to find an Employer who would be willing to sponsor you and I would anticipate that utilising your Industry contacts would be most effective in achieving that

 

I doubt it will be ever too soon to start.

 

DUI will not be a block.

 

Securing work would be not significantly different to the UK with the added complication of needing to be sponsored. Does your University provide counselling on job searching?

 

Employer will be the petitioner, on what basis would be up to them. There are likely to be major changes to the EB3 process extending the time line by many years so not sure that would be an obvious one.

[LotsofQuestions 0]

20 minutes ago, Boiler said:

I am not sure any job in Journalism is secure, one of the advantages of working on line is you would not be location dependent.

 

You would need to find an Employer who would be willing to sponsor you and I would anticipate that utilising your Industry contacts would be most effective in achieving that

 

I doubt it will be ever too soon to start.

 

DUI will not be a block.

 

Securing work would be not significantly different to the UK with the added complication of needing to be sponsored. Does your University provide counselling on job searching?

 

Employer will be the petitioner, on what basis would be up to them. There are likely to be major changes to the EB3 process extending the time line by many years so not sure that would be an obvious one.

Thanks so much for your reply. Really means a lot. 

 

First of all, it's such a relief and weight off my shoulders to know that a DUI will not be a block. But does my hypothetical prospective employer need to put this on the green card application form when they are filling it in as petitioner? Or is this not necessary, due to the fact that my DUI will show up on the police certificate, which I understand I need to present to the US Embassy here in the UK as part of my visa application?

 

I take heed of what you say with regards to finding employment - that the employer will be my petitioner and my sponsor, and that I'll have to find an employer willing to act as such. I think you're right when you say I should utilise my industry contacts for this - as that's what I thought. All of my contacts are UK-based and British people - however, I do know one or two of them have previously worked in the US, so maybe they could put me in touch with some people willing to give me a chance. In the meantime, I will do lots of reaching out to people in the industry by emailing around or even writing letters (which I just happen to think come across as more sincere, for some reason).

 

Yes, my university does indeed provide careers advise and help in finding jobs for students - however, I imagine this will be limited to the UK. I can always ask them, though.

 

What are the changes to the EB3 you mention? What time line is this, sorry? 

 

Once more, thanks so much - really appreciate your help ☺️

 

 

 

 

[Boiler 45,712]

I assume the DUI would come up as part of any job application, would be part of your criminal history for an immigrant visa.

 

S 386 is the bill, there is a massive backlog of applicants, mainly Indians and Chinese mainly tech due to a per Country limitation so if this is removed it will take many years for that to be cleared and be available to new applicants.

[LotsofQuestions 0]

6 minutes ago, Boiler said:

I assume the DUI would come up as part of any job application, would be part of your criminal history for an immigrant visa.

 

S 386 is the bill, there is a massive backlog of applicants, mainly Indians and Chinese mainly tech due to a per Country limitation so if this is removed it will take many years for that to be cleared and be available to new applicants.

Are you saying that, if I start the ball rolling - get a job offer, make an application for an immigrant visa - that the whole process from start to finish will take years? 😢

 

I'm not sure my job offer would still stand? Haha, I very much doubt an employer would wait many years for me? Wow, this is shocking. And it has really brought me down 😢

Edited September 19, 2019 by LotsofQuestions
Important additional info felt necessary

[Boiler 45,712]

As part of the jib offer the Employer would decide what they are prepared to sponsor, an Immigrant Visa is one option, I think EB3 ROW is backlogged about 3 years currently.

[LotsofQuestions 0]

1 minute ago, Boiler said:

As part of the jib offer the Employer would decide what they are prepared to sponsor, an Immigrant Visa is one option, I think EB3 ROW is backlogged about 3 years currently.

Aha, I see. I misunderstood. EB3 is something different to the Immigration Visa - and it is the EB3 in particular which has the backlog of Indian and Chinese tech workers? Apologies for my confusion.

 

In my networking and reaching out to people in the industry, should I bring this up? Ask them if they'd be willing to sponsor an Immigration Visa or would this be considered rude and is it best to just not mention it and leave it to them to decide on their own? 

 

I'm aware I'm asking a lot of things and that I'm being a pain - but I do have my heart set on America, so I hope you understand

 

[Boiler 45,712]

EB3 is an immigrant visa category, you mentioned it in your first post, certainly 1 to 3 would be impacted.

 

I am not sure I have seen anyone immigrate as a Journalist, certainly normal for Employers to ask if you are authorised to work as part of any job application, one of the reasons to focus on networking.

[LotsofQuestions 0]

Now it's clearer. EB3 is the application for "third preference" immigrant workers. Okay, I didn't know. 

 

I wouldn't have to find a job in journalism, it could be in the wider media industry. But journalism would be preferable to me, as that is what my degree will be in and I love writing.

 

I guess EB3 is the only immigrant visa category I would be eligible for - as someone with a BA degree seeking a professional job role in the media, I think I come under "third preference immigrant worker". 

 

This has really saddened me and I'm not sure I'll pursue this now, if it's going to take many years. Blimey - that is truly shocking. This has really put me on a downer, my thoughts have been so focused on Chicago for some time!  

[Boiler 45,712]

I assume the main issue would be to find an Employer willing to sponsor you for any type of visa. And then in a very specific area.

[LotsofQuestions 0]

4 minutes ago, Boiler said:

I assume the main issue would be to find an Employer willing to sponsor you for any type of visa. And then in a very specific area.

And if they know about EB3 backlog - which I assume most employers do, I guess they will not bother, as they'll not be prepared to wait on me for so long :/ 

[LotsofQuestions 0]

@Boiler I was wondering, could it be an idea to apply for a temporary non-immigrant work permit instead? I'm just reading up on this right now, it sure isn't straightforward and it seems there are many different types - but maybe an employer could be willing to sponsor/petition me for one of these? And then, if I perform well in the hypothetical job role, could discuss with the hypothetical employer about sponsoring me for an Immigrant Visa? 

[Boiler 45,712]

It would be handled by the Employers Immigration Lawyer who certainly should be aware of the issues around any particular route.

[Boiler 45,712]

1 minute ago, LotsofQuestions said:

@Boiler I was wondering, could it be an idea to apply for a temporary non-immigrant work permit instead? I'm just reading up on this right now, it sure isn't straightforward and it seems there are many different types - but maybe an employer could be willing to sponsor/petition me for one of these? And then, if I perform well in the hypothetical job role, could discuss with the hypothetical employer about sponsoring me for an Immigrant Visa? 

That is a more common route, H1b is still a lottery for example, J1 for an intern position maybe.

[carmel34 3,639]

Don't get your hopes up too high OP, I understand your desire to move to Chicago and the USA, but employer-sponsored visas to work in the US are difficult to get, and the employer has to show evidence that you are highly-qualified and that you are the best candidate for a specific job, more qualified than other applicants who are already in the US and authorized to work here.  I am involved in this process every year, petitioning for professors that I hire, and they all have PhDs, mostly from US universities, and even then, we have to attach pages and pages of documentation to prove to USCIS that the foreigner is the most qualified candidate based on education, specialized training, research ability, etc.  It will be very difficult for you with only a bachelor's degree (which you don't even have yet) in an area that has many qualified people in the US already, journalism and media.  Sorry to be so blunt about your chances, they're certainly not zero, but very small in my opinion, so just trying to be realistic here.  Fields like medicine, technology, computer science, engineering, and academic positions in these areas and business where US-work authorized applicants are in short supply are more likely for work visa approvals by USCIS and even then it is a challenge and not guaranteed.  I suggest that you have a plan B that would involve moving somewhere outside the US in case your dream to work in Chicago does not materialize.  Good luck!