What if it doesnt work out for you...?

Hey guys, sorry to talk about such a bummer topic, but I was just wondering what you would do if the CRP doesn't work out for you?

I'm almost 24, I don't have a "proper" job yet, so I'm going to apply as soon as the UK applications re-open & hope that I don't have anything too serious job wise. If I am lucky enough to get a place, I will be at least 25 when I go. But, if I don't get a place, I'll probably still apply next year, and just dream about living in America for another year. However, I'll be getting on a bit and feel I should probably think about settling down (gulp!!)

So, would you guys think about getting into America some other way whilst waiting to re-apply? It's been my dream for a long time to live over there for a bit - I really want to be in Florida, well more specifically Orlando, but I love America so I would probably consider just about anywhere. My brother is over in Chicago at the moment coaching football and I'm mega jealous of him because he is having the time of his life. Unfortunately, I don't have any kind of skills that could get me in like that Don't get me wrong, this programme is ultimately what I want to do, but some people just aren't lucky enough to get on it (I've never been much of an optimist when it comes to something I REALLY want!)

I'd like to travel around America, but I know I'd never want to leave again! I guess I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas on other ways of working over there? Not necessarily in Orlando, just something over there for a while? Playing the waiting game gets a bit boring don't ya think?! Would be nice to have a back up? Besides the obvious, Camp America, BUNAC etc...? :-\

 

I'm not entirely sure but Universal and Sea World might hire internationals for their parks. Don't know how long that would last. Try looking that up or maybe check out other theme parks around the country? It's not a "proper" job but you'd at least get to stay in the country for a bit.
Good luck!

 

seaworld & universal only offer jobs to students.....blaaa

you could apply to work at a ski resort for the winter in america?

 

Unfortunately I'm no longer a student & I've been graduated almost a year now. Rubbish!

 

i know what you mean, pretty much everything ive found in america has only been on offer to students or recent graduates....

very hard to find work over there if your just a regular normal working person!!!!!

 

What did you graduate of? Maybe you can find a job in the US that is pertaining to your field.
I think in the US they like to hire international people who have been to college or university or an apprenticeship and have earned a "skill" of some kind. For example, they're kind of big on hiring nurses, doctors and teachers because they don't have many of their own.

 

I've done a ski season (though not in America) and I would definitely recommend that option! Also lots of companies do international internships or training/short term study programmes. Or just au pair-ing or something if nothing else? x

 

I've looked at it and pretty much the only way of getting out there is either getting a company to sponsor your visa... or getting married.

Right, where's my veil?

 

CanadianNicole - I graduated with a degree in Education,but I'm not looking to become a teacher (well not just yet anyway) so I can't see them wanting me without some form of teaching qualification.

EmilyJBC82 - There really isn't anything aimed at us non students what sort of things have you been looking at?

meelie - I have thought about au pairing, but have only recently passed my driving test so couldn't start looking at that til I'd done that. It's an option now, but I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the whole thing. I definitely don't feel sure of it like I do the CRP.

I've searched and searched for internships related to education but all that seems to come back is TEFL related stuff, which again I'm not so sure of.

catfish278 - YES! I also found that. I'm going to have to join one of those internet sites and bag me an American dude! Hmph. Wish I could rewind a few years and go back to being a student!!

.

 

Is it really tough to get an american employer to sponser you?

 

In a word yes. Pretty tough anyway, depends on the job field x

 

Also have you looked at Travel Tree or Global Choices? Also it's election year next year. Last time my friend went out there for a month campaigning in the election. Not sure how strong your political views are but he travelled all over and had amazing time, if it's somerhing you're interested in then it's worth looking into! During the election period they're always desperate for interns to help from what he said x

 

Ermmm my political views....not great! Although, as it's next year that gives me some time to get some?! Haha.

I'm considering saving up and travelling round America, I'm sure that would satisfy me...for a bit...but then again who knows what might happen with this programme?! ;D

 

That's true. Especially if you're competing against an American for a job. They will almost always pick the American over the international person. Sad, but true. :-[

 

It depends what field you're in and how high up you are in the corporate ladder. My old boss got a job right out of hospitality school (from a job fair at her college) and was sponsored by marriott for 10 years and ended up director of f&b of a jw before moving back to canada to open a new hotel. so its definitely possible

 

By the sounds of it, it's actually a legal requirement that they pick the American over the international person because they cannot contribute to America's unemployment statistics if an American can do the job they are recruiting for. So... basically it's extremely difficult to get a job in the USA unless it's on a visa like the J1 or Q1 which are both temporary...

 

If it's not important that it be an immediate thing, get a job at home with a company that does international business, work your way up. My best mates dad lived in New Jersey for 5 years working for Standard Life in Manhattan. He started in a job in Edinburgh, Scotland and worked his way up, and chances arose within his company to travel a lot and do business for them in other countries. They sent him to New York, not sure why because I've never bent his brain on the subject but I do know that it was the job he had already that sent him out there. He chose to come home when he decided to have children, but it was a 50/50 chance that my mate could've been an American if he hadn't! haha
Sorry I talk too much. My point was is that a lot of the time if you end up working in the states its because the company you already work for has sent you there. It'd take time, but it's certainly the option with the least amount of 'will i/wont i' about it because you're not putting off your career trying to make something happen that might not. You are USING your career.

That or, you know, just become famous. The celebrities don't seem to have ANY problem moving to LA. Haha.

 

Thats because they get a media visa wich they regularly renew or something very similar to that anyways

 

Well yes, so exactly- no trouble.

 

right, sorted ;D hah