You Dirty, Stuipd Americans

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 6:43 pm

So I've always been under the impression that, because our public school system here in America sucks, our university system must also be second tier compared to other univeresities, ie my BA will be worth less and easier to get than Karl's BA.

But my roommate says that this isn't necessarily true, and that a BA from a US University actually carries a lot of weight in the global job market.

I asked him, "Then why is it so hard to get a job in Europe?," and he said it's because the EU makes it in effect illegal to hire Americans based on a policy that you have to prove that you can't find a European to do the same job in order to hire an American. Therefore, unless you're a highly sought after individual in a science field, or offer something that no one else can, like a successful playwright or artist, it's extremely impossible to find work in Europe coming from America.

So, my question is......is this true? And if so...you bastards!

Post by **Kaylee** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 7:08 pm

That sounds exactly like US hiring policy TBH.

You can only go to work in the US if you are a reserved occupation (such as a doctor) you qualify for a minority immigration greencard or if a company will vouch for you, offering you employment and filling in your work visa, on the grounds that no native American can do the job.

Many US companies will hire professionals from abroad, filing the appropriate forms and claiming that they require the talents of this individual, although often its an excuse to get the same work for lower wages.

I've investigated this as I intend to work in the US at some point.

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 7:32 pm

Karl Lynch wrote: Many US companies will hire professionals from abroad, filing the appropriate forms and claiming that they require the talents of this individual, although often its an excuse to get the same work for lower wages.

So is there any kind of corollary to this money grubbing strategy in Europe?

I've investigated this as I intend to work in the US at some point.

Why? We stink. And we have no jobs. But you can get a hell of a tan here.

Post by **Kaylee** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 7:37 pm

You've many jobs available in IT, the world always needs people to run its computers. Cheap housing, cheap food. I'm never going to be able to afford a home here in the UK.

I've no idea about similar strategies in Europe, being a member of the EU British citizens are able to just stroll into any EU country and work legally.

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 11:35 pm

Well, I'm a sociology major, and really, I don't know jack about European society, so apparenlty I might as well resign myself to living here and possibly vacationing there, it sounds like.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 12:03 am

Right now, it's easiest to work in the UK if you are from (in decreasing order of ease) the EU (very easy), the Commonwealth (fairly easy), everywhere else (pretty tough).

As it's a reciprocal thing, I suggest you look to your own government to change things - if it was easy for Europeans to go and work in America, it would be easy for them to work over here. As it is I know Americans who are over here and have made it despite the difficulties, but I get all kinds of grief from US Customs when I'm legitimately working in the States, so I don't really have much sympathy.

Post by **Kaylee** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 6:57 am

Shanti418 wrote:Well, I'm a sociology major, and really, I don't know jack about European society, so apparenlty I might as well resign myself to living here and possibly vacationing there, it sounds like.

Joblessless is no longer just for philosophy majors, useful people are starting to feel the pinch! [/Kent Brockman]

Hope you find some good work. As Confusious said- "If you find a job you enjoy doing you need never work another day in your life".

And Rob's pretty much nailed it, the US make it incredibly difficult for qualified people to go work there (it involves a lot of hoop jumping and even then immigration will treat you like a potential criminal) so I guess the EU has no reason to make it easier going the other way.

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 7:34 am

It's just seems kind of odd, with all this free market globalization hooten nanncy that they can ship jobs wherever they want, but they hem people in where they are. But I suppose it's a sign of the times.

Post by **Kaylee** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 8:53 am

Shanti418 wrote:It's just seems kind of odd, with all this free market globalization hooten nanncy that they can ship jobs wherever they want, but they hem people in where they are. But I suppose it's a sign of the times.

Governments are usually afraid of being harassed by their middle classes for 'giving jobs away to foreigners'. I expect that's a big element of it.

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 5:34 pm

For those of us who are really, really sick of Bush, Canada is pretty similar.

However, Shanti, it is (supposedly) ridiculously easy for most Americans, especially with a BA, to find English teaching jobs in other places. I've just taken a class through the company Nomen Global, and am sending out resumes to various spots.

If you can live outside the country long enough teaching in Prague or Budapest or somewhere, it would be easier to get an English teaching job in the EU, and then supposedly a real job. Tis a long road. Since you're probably just doing this to get close to Best First, it may not be worth it. He'll just break your heart.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 5:46 pm

There might be summer programmes (I know students here are enciuraed to spend summers working as camp counsellors in the US) that might offer an easier route in. Or you could marry someone English...

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 6:27 pm

sprunkner wrote:For those of us who are really, really sick of Bush, Canada is pretty similar.

However, Shanti, it is (supposedly) ridiculously easy for most Americans, especially with a BA, to find English teaching jobs in other places. I've just taken a class through the company Nomen Global, and am sending out resumes to various spots.

If you can live outside the country long enough teaching in Prague or Budapest or somewhere, it would be easier to get an English teaching job in the EU, and then supposedly a real job. Tis a long road. Since you're probably just doing this to get close to Best First, it may not be worth it. He'll just break your heart.

From what I've heard from my friends (one of which has taught English in Costa Rica and the other in Brussles), it's still very hard to get a job teaching English in Western Europe because of those damn British and all those European people who think learning multiple language is some kind of good skill to have. :P So it's still subject to thet same EU conundrum. And the W. European English jobs will be most akin salary wise to something you'd want to make here w/ a college degree.

There are lots of jobs in Eastern Europe, but their economies are still a bit screwy, and so you'd make what you'd make in some place like Mexico or Central America, ie enough to live quite comfortably in the country you're in, but not a whole lot relatively speaking.

They say that the best place for Englist teaching jobs right now is in place like Japan and Taiwan, in terms of pay.

And as far as BF, I'm a masochist, so it's a perfect fit.