Starting Life/Work in US - Tips and Stories

[huckleberry]

mga sis,
we're thinking of buying our house.  aside from checking for the molds, roof, gas and water leaks what else should we be cautious about? 

[i_miss_sleep]

definitely neighborhood and crime rates. i think i posted some tips about this. not sure kung saang topic. if i find it, i'll point you to it.

[Shery]

hello po, do u think makahanap po kaya ako work sa U.S and mag sponsor sakin within 5 months? madami po ba pwede maging work sa U.S.? thanks..

[gnela_21]

hello po, do u think makahanap po kaya ako work sa U.S and mag sponsor sakin within 5 months? madami po ba pwede maging work sa U.S.? thanks..

By all means try to scout for employers who will be willing to sponsor you, although you have to know that the US economy is not over recession. There are still so much people without work. If you think you have an edge (a special skill that no local have) you'll have better chances of finding an employer. Goodluck!

[Shery]

^ thanks po.. hmmm ano po ibig sabihin ng multiple visa? kapag ganto po ba naibigay sakin.. pwede ako mag work legally? and how long ako sa US pwede? sorry dami tanong.. wala ko alam.. poor me..

[chocolatefever]

sis gnela, thanks for the tips! at least di naman pala masyadong problem ang apartment.  as for the car, i'm not sure if my employer will be willing to cosign for me, hmmm...baka mapilitan ako to get yung may mataas na APR. pero we'll see. have to get settled muna. thanks ulit!

[gnela_21]

^ thanks po.. hmmm ano po ibig sabihin ng multiple visa? kapag ganto po ba naibigay sakin.. pwede ako mag work legally? and how long ako sa US pwede? sorry dami tanong.. wala ko alam.. poor me..

I think tourist visa ang hawak mo sis. Multiple visa means, pwede ka magpa-balik-balik ng US as long as valid ang visa mo. Pero HINDI ka allowed to work LEGALLY. Pwede mo siguro i-try to look for an employer who can sponsor you, pero ang mangyayari, you still have to go back to the Phils. Sa Phil.Embassy pa din ikaw bibigyan ng working visa (in case ma-sponsor ka).

You have to understand na swerte ka sis to be given a multiple entry. I suggest na wag mong isugal ang visa mo to find work or to TNT, yan kasi ang nagiging dahilan kung baket madaming na-dedeny. And kapag nahuli ka na working under tourist visa, ma-ccancel ang visa mo, tas ma-ban ka pa ng 5 years (at least). Goodluck.

sis gnela, thanks for the tips! at least di naman pala masyadong problem ang apartment.  as for the car, i'm not sure if my employer will be willing to cosign for me, hmmm...baka mapilitan ako to get yung may mataas na APR. pero we'll see. have to get settled muna. thanks ulit!

Yup! Goodluck on your journey. Exciting yan kasi bago lahat! Let me know kapag napadpad ka dito sa IL (Chicago Area), maybe we can meet up!

[Shery]

^ thanks so much sis gnela_21. ang dami ko nalaman. hehe. sana nga makahanap ako ng mag sponsor sakin pag punta ko US. hays..in God's will..

[chocolatefever]

^^sis gnela, yes i will! let's keep in touch dito sa boards thanks!

[gnela_21]

^^ sis Shery, you're welcome. Enjoy your visit here!
^ will do sis chocolatefever. I'm always here sa boards!

[Shery]

hi sis gnela, may tanong po ulit hehe. pag nag apply po ako ng student visa? how long po ako jan sa US? and.. need ko po ba talaga mag aral jan sa US while working po. kasi student visa yata is allowed to work..  tama po ba?

[gnela_21]

^ Regarding sa Student Visa, di ko kabisado lahat. Ang alam ko, you have to be accepted sa school. The school will be the one who will provide you documents that will be sent to UCSIC para ma-approve yung student visa mo. Kelangan din may proof of funds ka, meaning you have enough money to take the whole program.

As to hanggang kelan valid, as long as enrolled ka sa school, valid yung visa mo. Chaka allowed sila to work for a max of 20 hrs per week. You may want to check this link: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html Goodluck sayo!

[Longhair]

Hello sisters, may alam ba kayong companies na willing mag sponsor? We've been here in the US for 3 yrs & my husband's project is almost finished so will be repatriated most probably by June. He's been applying since October last year pero di pa rin kami makahanap ng malipatan. Na stress na ko, jobless din kami once pinabalik ng Pinas.

[first_timer]

^Sis Longhair, correct me if I'm wrong pero [textspeak!] ba nka L visa kau?  so that means, just in case mapabalik kau sa Pinas ( hwag naman sana), may work pa din asawa mo,[textspeak!] ba?

[catherine]

I am here in the US and drifting for a few months now, I am not working and I'm considering going back to school.  I have a BS degree in Psychology I don't think I can get a job here with that, besides I have never practiced since I graduated 13 years ago.  Any advise on what options I have please?

[Vera]

I think case to case basis pa din. I have two firiends, auditors din and they came for big companies (Deloitte and JP Chase), we were given the pink slip unfortunately. 

I agree. Because of the crisis, some companies turn to outsourcing. My husband's aunt, who's an auditor in San Fran recently got laid off (actually her company's laying off the entire department) coz the company will start to outsource to China.

[Vera]

hello po, do u think makahanap po kaya ako work sa U.S and mag sponsor sakin within 5 months? madami po ba pwede maging work sa U.S.? thanks..

I highly doubt there are a lot employers who are willing to sponsor now. There are so many Americans who are jobless and Obama advises companies to keep the jobs in the U.S. -- that means if the companies are in hiring mode again, they're prioritize those who are already here.

As to the availability of jobs, I guess there are a lot of odd / part-time jobs anywhere in the U.S. (sitting, massaging, waitressing, buying and selling, etc). The hard part is finding a full-time job. Plus, employers start to low ball the salary offers these days.

[Vera]

Hello sisters, may alam ba kayong companies na willing mag sponsor? We've been here in the US for 3 yrs & my husband's project is almost finished so will be repatriated most probably by June. He's been applying since October last year pero di pa rin kami makahanap ng malipatan. Na stress na ko, jobless din kami once pinabalik ng Pinas.

Try Monster.com or Craigslist.com -- LinkedIn is also a good resource.

[hamano]

Hello. May I ask if reliable ba ang accreditation ng TOR at diploma sa World Education Services? Someone told me na mas madali ang paghahanap ng work if meron nito.
Thanks.

[gnela_21]

Hello. May I ask if reliable ba ang accreditation ng TOR at diploma sa World Education Services? Someone told me na mas madali ang paghahanap ng work if meron nito.
Thanks.

I think it is. I'm planning to attend school (again) here and isa ang WES sa recommend nila for the education credentials. Best to go with the detailed summary so that can use it also in case you may need it later. Naka-indicate na din naman yung equivalency doon.

Detailed: http://www.wes.org/application/sample.asp?show=crscrs
Summarized: http://www.wes.org/images/doc1s.gif