US immigration/ UK resident

[adamspring]

Hi
I'm a UK citizen looking to move to and work in the US on a permanent basis. I have a degree in Archaeology and MA in Landscape Archaeology. I have a specialism in geophysics, which is a skill that has great potential in the US but not widely adopted yet.
I have looked into applying for work in the US but do not have a social security number (obviously). I would be lying if i said the visa system did not confuse the hell out of me.
I am aware i would need a sponser if it is work related but am not sure the best way to go about it. I have emailed large numbers of archaeology related organisations across the US but have only got back a few responses.

I am under 26 and single, so i am not worried about partner's rights to work etc.

Any advice would be gratefully received.
Best
Adam

 

[hadron]

> I have a degree in Archaeology and MA in Landscape Archaeology.
> I have a specialism in geophysics

I don't know what the job market for archeologists is like, but that will be the main determinant of whether you can fulfill that goal.

> have looked into applying for work in the US but do not have a
> social security number (obviously).

That is a later step, after you found a job, and after you have a visa enabling you to work.

> I would be lying if i said the visa system did not confuse the hell out of me.

It is confusing, very confusing.

You have a couple of options:

- some sort of internship deal on a J1 visa, just to get your entry into the system here and some US experience on your CV

- a regular job on a H1b visa. There is only a limited number of these visas available and most of them get gobbled up by a small number of companies in the information technology sector.

- study for a graduate degree here on a F1 or J1 visa (e.g. a PhD). The US experience gives you a better shot at finding employment here.

Be sure to have an american work over your CV (called resume here). The style is fundamentally different. Everything has to be hopelessly exaggerated, formal qualifications count far less than your ability to embellish your accomplishments during some internship in high-school. In your area of work, your best bet, at least initially, will be some academic type job. After a couple of years, you might be able to change into industry from that.