facing a career decision.........Let's brainstorm my future!

[luvya]

Ok, just 3 months ago, my friend hooked me up with a part-time job in a small private company. It was my first working experience so I had a mixed feeling about it. The pay is low and the workplace is far from where I live. I thought "ok, this is not going to be anything long-term so I will just suck it up" Last week I quit the job and thought I should be moving forward...and...BANG! The boss gave me a new offer...Raise salary..apply for H-1 and green card for me. (I am only an international student) The salary is still low but what's tempted is the H-1 and green card...if I want to stay here I will need them eventually. My dilemma is that I don't like the working environment there and the boss can be cocky sometimes. I couldn't stand to work for them after 3 months so what makes me think I can work for them for 3 years? (3 years is the aproximated wait time to get green card) I really don't know what to do. I was thinking to continue my educational path(get a master degree) but now, what should I do?
BTW...I need to give them an answer by tomorrow so time is against me.

 

[rgwalt]

If you don't take the job, how long will you have to stay in the country to get another job or go back to school before the gov hauls you off?

Ryan

 

[777joee]

You need to set your prioritys and if you want to stay in the US then you might have to put up with some BS to get what you want.


If you can't stand the heat , get out of the kitchen......

 

[luvya]

Originally posted by: rgwalt
If you don't take the job, how long will you have to stay in the country to get another job or go back to school before the gov hauls you off?

Ryan

My practical trainning is good until December. I think I can get another job in 6 months no problem but whether the new job will apply for H-1 and green card for me is another question. I know I would be better off long-term if I accept the new offer but a little voice inside of me telling me that I need to move forward...don't stuck yourself in a small private company. sigh...

 

[rufruf44]

Don't count on getting your greencard in 3 years, especially since there's the possibility of INS being split into 2, and the transition period going to be a mess...... Plan for about 5 years to get it, longer if you're from China/India, or only hold BS degree. You might want to check whether that H1 is applicable to more than 1 employer, so you can switch job and continue your greencard process. Not sure what does entails though.

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: luvya
a little voice inside of me telling me that I need to move forward...don't stuck yourself in a small private company. sigh...

listen to that voice, there will be other opportunities, if you aren't happy there don't do it

 

[luvya]

Originally posted by: 777joee
You need to set your prioritys and if you want to stay in the US then you might have to put up with some BS to get what you want.


If you can't stand the heat , get out of the kitchen......

The thing is that there is no turning back once I apply for green card under this company. I can't leave the company and the company can't go bankrupcy otherwise my effort would go wasted. I am sure it would be quite painful to see myself working in that same place for 3 years...MAN!! I really don't know what to do.

 

[edro]

Work at McDonalds. Seriously. I don't, nor have I ever, but I know they pay pretty good (for a fast food joint) and I am sure they will give you a green card, because every McDonalds around here has like 75% Mexican workers in them.

 

[luvya]

Originally posted by: rufruf44
Don't count on getting your greencard in 3 years, especially since there's the possibility of INS being split into 2, and the transition period going to be a mess...... Plan for about 5 years to get it, longer if you're from China/India, or only hold BS degree. You might want to check whether that H1 is applicable to more than 1 employer, so you can switch job and continue your greencard process. Not sure what does entails though.

I am 80% sure that H1 is applicable to more than 1 employer. That's actually what I was thinking of....getting the H1 from this company and switch job afterward. But the main reason the boss was willing to give me this offer was that he wants me staying in the company. Morally it would be wrong if I just leave after getting H1.
BTW..5 years to get green card? I don't know about that...from where I've heard it's between 1 to 3 years.

 

[luvya]

Originally posted by: edro13
Work at McDonalds. Seriously. I don't, nor have I ever, but I know they pay pretty good (for a fast food joint) and I am sure they will give you a green card, because every McDonalds around here has like 75% Mexican workers in them.

I doubt it. Most of Mcdonalds employee are only part-time. The company can't apply for green card if you only work part-time.

 

[luvya]

not-a-nef bump

 

[rufruf44]

I am 80% sure that H1 is applicable to more than 1 employer. That's actually what I was thinking of....getting the H1 from this company and switch job afterward. But the main reason the boss was willing to give me this offer was that he wants me staying in the company. Morally it would be wrong if I just leave after getting H1.
BTW..5 years to get green card? I don't know about that...from where I've heard it's between 1 to 3 years.

You really need to spend some time and research this further. Which type of H1 is this? Some of them are transferrable to another employer but thats not always the case, and the old employer might block you from transferring it (again, not sure about this either). Some state are very fast in reapplying for H1 in case a new one is needed, but some are moving at the speed of a turtle, and you usually only have limited time (2 months ?) before the INS kick you out
Regarding greencard, there's no way you can get in a year period. All of my friend that been fortunate enough to get it, get it in more than 3 years, the norm is 5 considering it goes to multiple stages (Ad period, State Labor Dept, Regional Labor Dept, INS, State Dept, back to INS again), and each stages could easily go for 1 year or more). The only thing that I think is the exception is the NY/NJ area. For one reason or another, they're quite fast in that area.
Whatever you do, you better do it fast. Once that practical training has expired, you're technically being in the USA illegally and have to get out, and most company wouldn't wait for you to get back to the US.

Or, you could just marry an american girl and dump her after the GC (quite low, but feasible if you're that desperate though)

 

[spanky]

hold out and make him give u a better offer. if that fails, i'll marry u for $20k. :Q

 

[luvya]

5 years? Oh sh$t!! Wouldn't it be faster if I apply for job working reason? I think I need to talk to a lawyer now.....any atot member currently studying in law? huh?

 

[luvya]

Originally posted by: spankyOO7
hold out and make him give u a better offer. if that fails, i'll marry u for $20k. :Q

20k? Only?

 

[StageLeft]

I'd really consider staying. Getting GC is great and most employers won't bother. A guy at work from Canada is going to have his in about 9 months - that's just over two yeasr for him from the time he applied for it. An indian guy at work it's going to take him about 3 years. His process is a bit slower because he is doing it a tad differently.

 

[luvya]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I'd really consider staying. Getting GC is great and most employers won't bother. A guy at work from Canada is going to have his in about 9 months - that's just over two yeasr for him from the time he applied for it. An indian guy at work it's going to take him about 3 years. His process is a bit slower because he is doing it a tad differently.

I think I can suck it up for 2 years...but 3~5 years? I don't think so. The job is just plain boring! And the boss can be weird sometimes...

 

[StageLeft]

I think I can suck it up for 2 years...but 3~5 years? I don't think so. The job is just plain boring! And the boss can be weird sometimes...

YTeah but hey it's a job - are you sure you could get another one? LOTS of people can't find work right now.

 

[luvya]

Any lawyer in the house?

 

[luvya]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

I think I can suck it up for 2 years...but 3~5 years? I don't think so. The job is just plain boring! And the boss can be weird sometimes...

YTeah but hey it's a job - are you sure you could get another one? LOTS of people can't find work right now.

Well, I guess it depends which motives you want to use. Yeah, it's a job...but what if you are just so sure that you will not be happy for doing this job the next 3 years? It's really a struggle between will and happiness. BTW...this is an accounting job...not any tech job you thought of.

 

[luvya]

I think the thing that makes me so sad is that I know I will have to accept the job...considering my current situation I really need a work permit or a green card to stay in the states...I only wish there is a 2nd option for me to choose from. Sigh..

 

[Instagib]

How about hooking on ATOT?

 

[spanky]

Originally posted by: luvya

Originally posted by: spankyOO7
hold out and make him give u a better offer. if that fails, i'll marry u for $20k. :Q

20k? Only?

yeah, business has been slow

 

[luvya]

if-you-guys-keep-posting-I-wouldn't-have-to bump!