career advancement and networking after moving countries

[Tarumba 9]

So, long story short, I have a BS with a major in Forestry, I have been an Assistant Professor, I've given a lecture in Tokyo, and I was pretty much a good student. So I got to the US (VA), and guess what I am doing? Convenience store shift manager! It's like my worst nightmare come true I mean the people are very nice, though I have nothing in common with them, but the only one who seems able to help me is my boss, who recommended networking and getting a MS or a Master's Degree in Environmental Engineering, for the $$dollaz $$.

Well, even though my university is very prestigious, nobody knows it here, so my question is...how to go around it? My husband, I can tell, wants to help me, but he has no clue, bless him (he runs a record label and has started studying on my request, computer programming this Summer). Would it be a good investment for me to ask for a loan and get a Master's Degree around here? Or should I wait until we move (possibly a couple of years) and get THE MS that will boost my career for ever? If I do, what should I do in the mean time, keep my shift manager job? (10.75 USD /hour). I would LOVE to get a forest-ish job around here, but it seems extremely difficult. I am an hour away from the capital (Richmond) and everything is military related around here. Mind you, I would not mind at all driving for an hour if it meant having a job that is relevant to my career.

While I applaud discretion and respect people who will tell me "how could I know?" or "that is a personal decision", please I'm posting this questions because i have no clue where to start...So I need you to be as meddling as possible, intervening and pretty much tell me hat you would do in my situation. Any requests for details will be promptly answered.

thank you very much!

[Old Dominion 26]

I take it you live in the Hampton VA area. You are among the lucky people because you do have a decent job in this economy.

Investment in forestry-related programs and projects does not appear right now to be a high priority in governmental spending. Consequently, jobs are probably scarce in that part of Virginia. The larger field of environmental science offers greater opportunities and I suggest you visit Old Dominion University to explore graduate study possibilities: http://sdi.odu.edu/cee/cee_graduate.html

In the western, mountainous part of Virginia, the demand for forestry specialists is much higher. Virginiia Tech offers degrees in that field, but you would need to relocate.

Don't be surprised that your university is unheard of in the U.S., except perhaps among academic folks.

Good luck!!!!

[Tarumba 9]

I take it you live in the Hampton VA area. You are among the lucky people because you do have a decent job in this economy.

Investment in forestry-related programs and projects does not appear right now to be a high priority in governmental spending. Consequently, jobs are probably scarce in that part of Virginia. The larger field of environmental science offers greater opportunities and I suggest you visit Old Dominion University to explore graduate study possibilities: http://sdi.odu.edu/cee/cee_graduate.html

In the western, mountainous part of Virginia, the demand for forestry specialists is much higher. Virginiia Tech offers degrees in that field, but you would need to relocate.

Don't be surprised that your university is unheard of in the U.S., except perhaps among academic folks.

Good luck!!!!

Oh my God, you are in Norfolk! I live in Newport News. I know Virginia Tech has one of the best graduate programs in the US, for Forestry; but it's like 6 hours away, and I don't think we are up to moving away just now.

Do you think I should get a Master's Degree, then? ODU does have a respectable one in Environmental Engineering. i was also considering applying for a teaching position with the Public Schools, for Earth Sciences, it would definitely help financially, and I could get my life together meanwhile, what do you think? thank you!

[letty 1]

Tarumba,

I wish I could be a help to you, but I'm in a similar situation and just want to let you know that I know how this feels!

I have a BS in molecular biology, graduated cum laude in an accelerated program, did 14 months internship, publish 2 articles in a journal, and since I moved to the States it was the end of a bright future. I have a stupid typing job, with people I absolutely don't connect to, and have a hard time going back to school to obtain a masters. They are willing to only transfer a few courses so I pretty much have to redo my bachelors. I don't really want to go back to school since it's so expensive but I also don't want to do this type of work for the next 40 years.

I hope you will find your way up, it is very depressing to me since it has been for a year like this with no chances although I applied to several jobs.

Good luck,

Letty

[Tarumba 9]

Oh Letty, I think the best thing we can do is just get an American degree, don't you agree? It's the only way they can take us seriously, and your publications will always be on your resume.

I do hope our situation will be totally different in a couple of years, maybe you'll be doing research and I ...will be working with the Forest Service!

I wish us both the best of luck...

[Tarumba 9]

Oh, meanwhile, I recommend you to have a look at this...

http://www.gceus.com/about.php

It's a company that validates degrees from abroad. they will ask you for your diploma and transcript, and even though it costs about 200 USD, I think it's totally worth it. Maybe they will clear your BS degree!

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Your chances of being a tenured track professor in the US without a doctorate degree are absolutely none - not even at the community college level.

So yes, going to graduate school is a good idea

[letty 1]

Oh, meanwhile, I recommend you to have a look at this...

http://www.gceus.com/about.php

It's a company that validates degrees from abroad. they will ask you for your diploma and transcript, and even though it costs about 200 USD, I think it's totally worth it. Maybe they will clear your BS degree!

Thanks for your response! I had my transcript validated/evaluated. It was requested by the registars office of Texas A&M University. There are a lot of international students enrolled at this university so I didn't expect any problems. Well, their conclusion: we accept your BS-degree, but you don't have all the courses required for a BS here so you need to take 9 more classes (eg US government/history, psychology, sociology, art performance class, foreign language (??? as if I don't speak enough foreign languages yet), and so on). Than I gave up, it would take to much time and money to even get started....

But you're right that an American degree will make a huge difference. Here the level of a bachelors is so much lower than at most places in the world. Most classes they take are high-school level to me (for real, I took US history and government and there was nothing to it). Hopefully we both win the lotery (I will share if I win) and can go back to school here.

Letty

[Tarumba 9]

I will devote my day off and the whole of my free time to choose a MS and get started with it as soon as I can. thank you so much! thank you all!

I was considering teaching high school LOL, I so know i'm not qualified for community college! but still it's like 38 000 a year, so it would help!

Letty get a loan and take the nine classes! they don't sound so hard (I mean you're into microbiology, history should be entertaining enough!) and having a BS would help you like crazy, and it will pay off on the long run, financially. Don't give up! I will share the lottery price with you, too! I know it feels like there is no way out, but it's only 9 classes and you'll have AMERICAN credentials! that's like a dream for most of us!

Edited July 8, 2009 by Tarumba

[letty 1]

I will devote my day off and the whole of my free time to choose a MS and get started with it as soon as I can. thank you so much! thank you all!

I was considering teaching high school LOL, I so know i'm not qualified for community college! but still it's like 38 000 a year, so it would help!

Letty get a loan and take the nine classes! they don't sound so hard (I mean you're into microbiology, history should be entertaining enough!) and having a BS would help you like crazy, and it will pay off on the long run, financially. Don't give up! I will share the lottery price with you, too! I know it feels like there is no way out, but it's only 9 classes and you'll have AMERICAN credentials! that's like a dream for most of us!

I know that I probably just should take the classes. The thing is that it won't give me a paper with an American degree on it, but it will only allow me into a MS program! It just feels as if I trash my degree and have to start over again. I guess I will see how things go, maybe I wake up one day and somebody will offer me this great job....

You really should look into teaching. Right now I work for a student loan company and know that there is a government program what does teachers forgiveness on your student loan. Not sure about the details but I think you can find them on the department of education website.

Letty

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Do you want to do academic work or would you be interested in doing something like work for the State Parks?

[justashooter 430]

in the commonwealth of pennsylvania we have a titled position of Deputy Game Protector. perhaps there is a similar position in the commonwealth of virgina. it would be under the department of wildlife and fisheries. there should also be a department of forestry and conservation with field opportunities.

jobs with either agency would keep you in good shape, involve a lot of driving, some time outdoors and working with interesting people and animals, and get you great benefits and a decent salary. all said and done, at the end of life, you would probably be happier having lived one, than sat around all day talking about what it's like to live one.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I will devote my day off and the whole of my free time to choose a MS and get started with it as soon as I can. thank you so much! thank you all!

I was considering teaching high school LOL, I so know i'm not qualified for community college! but still it's like 38 000 a year, so it would help!

Letty get a loan and take the nine classes! they don't sound so hard (I mean you're into microbiology, history should be entertaining enough!) and having a BS would help you like crazy, and it will pay off on the long run, financially. Don't give up! I will share the lottery price with you, too! I know it feels like there is no way out, but it's only 9 classes and you'll have AMERICAN credentials! that's like a dream for most of us!

You would have to be board certified to teach at the K-12; which in most states requires a B.Ed. Either way, back to school you would have to go.

Though if you are not set on academic life, indeed you can work at government agencies that deal with environment, etc.

[JeremySusan 0]

reading this post kinda makes me worried about how my Degree will be seen in USA.

[Gemmie 142]

reading this post kinda makes me worried about how my Degree will be seen in USA.

Likewise. I just graduated with a BS in Psychology (with Honors) and am worried that no one will take it seriously. I asked my professor for a reference but he said most American universities or jobs won't accept overseas references and/or general recommendations.

Time will tell.