J1 graduate visa

Naggins

Hey, im thinking about going on the year long graduate visa. Id like to secure something before going over but dont wanna pay the money to usit before something is secured. However to access their database for employers (internships) you have to pay first.

Bit of advice needed about which to go.

Annie Oakes

im literally in the exact same boat as yourself. Recent graduate, I really want to secure some sort of internship and live in US, maybe somewhere else for a year. I was previously on a j1 with usit and found theyre ji job listings useless, really really bad like! So maybe tryna find a job yourself would be best? Although I know myself that I have applied for a couple jobs stateside and havent heard anything from the employers, perhaps they just see Ireland as my adress on my cv and ignore me, Im not sure. One things for sure I have to get out of ireland, sick of it altogether ! Iv been applying for all sorts of jobs the last 2 months and Im still unemployed in my parents house on the brink of insanity! I applied for factory jobs etc and even got turned down ( over 600 people applied for 20 spaces). What are you qualified in? I myself have a food marketing degree

Naggins

Annie Oakes wrote: »

im literally in the exact same boat as yourself. Recent graduate, I really want to secure some sort of internship and live in US, maybe somewhere else for a year. I was previously on a j1 with usit and found theyre ji job listings useless, really really bad like! So maybe tryna find a job yourself would be best? Although I know myself that I have applied for a couple jobs stateside and havent heard anything from the employers, perhaps they just see Ireland as my adress on my cv and ignore me, Im not sure. One things for sure I have to get out of ireland, sick of it altogether ! Iv been applying for all sorts of jobs the last 2 months and Im still unemployed in my parents house on the brink of insanity! I applied for factory jobs etc and even got turned down ( over 600 people applied for 20 spaces). What are you qualified in? I myself have a food marketing degree

My degrees are in politics/international relations with law, so would think Washington dc and maybe nyc would be the best options, would love to try the South though. A majority of jobs in this field is unpaid internships (here and abroad). Ive tried contacting USIT through there website and email but they havent responded which doesnt leave a good impression. Where to look for jobs in the US. Any particular websites. Think they would get turned off by an irish address maybe have to make it explicit that you can avail of a US visa. Hmm USIT arent cheap

Annie Oakes

Naggins wrote: »

My degrees are in politics/international relations with law, so would think Washington dc and maybe nyc would be the best options, would love to try the South though. A majority of jobs in this field is unpaid internships (here and abroad). Ive tried contacting USIT through there website and email but they havent responded which doesnt leave a good impression. Where to look for jobs in the US. Any particular websites. Think they would get turned off by an irish address maybe have to make it explicit that you can avail of a US visa. Hmm USIT arent cheap

I have seen USIT respond to comments on their facebook page before, so u mite try that! I dont have any good website for US jobs, if you find one you mite post it here for myself also! How much approx is the 12 month visa? Your hardly going to go over for 12 months on the back of an unpaid internship are u?

Ewa24

The job website that USIT provide is useless so don't be fooled by feeling like you need to pay the money to get access to it. Look for jobs yourself, Craiglist is good. Make sure it's a Resume you are sending out to employers, not a CV, and use American terminology and spelling. I think the Irish Address does but them off initially. It would be worth trying to put down a friend/relations' address that lives in NY instead, as they rarely contact anyone these days by the Postal Service anyway. Make sure you mention on the cover letter you are contactable between so and so THEIR time.

I'm currently on the 12 month J1 graduate visa, six months in.

Hope this helps.

Annie Oakes

Ewa24 wrote: »

The job website that USIT provide is useless so don't be fooled by feeling like you need to pay the money to get access to it. Look for jobs yourself, Craiglist is good. Make sure it's a Resume you are sending out to employers, not a CV, and use American terminology and spelling. I think the Irish Address does but them off initially. It would be worth trying to put down a friend/relations' address that lives in NY instead, as they rarely contact anyone these days by the Postal Service anyway. Make sure you mention on the cover letter you are contactable between so and so THEIR time.

I'm currently on the 12 month J1 graduate visa, six months in.

Hope this helps.

Yeah Usit's J1 job section is useless aswell i was thinking as much myself! How much does the 12 month graduate visa cost actually? and did u get employment before u went over or wait til u arrived? sorry for the questions but im considering doing the same

Ewa24

I'm not entirely sure what I paid as it was quite a few months ago I paid but it was something like 2450Euro. Go for Less is a lot cheaper apparently but they were all booked up when I contacted them. I got employment when I arrived over here. I tried in Ireland but it is too hard. Employers do not seem to have any interest when your address is not in the area and your phone number is abroad. I got very few responses when I was in Ireland trying to reach out to employers as opposed to applying from the States.

Its a hard visa to get around. Plenty of preparation ie. have your resume done up, a tailored cover letter and be familiar with the websites to look for jobs etc. I used Craiglist a lot. Its very popular here in SF.

Annie Oakes

Ewa24 wrote: »

I'm not entirely sure what I paid as it was quite a few months ago I paid but it was something like 2450Euro. Go for Less is a lot cheaper apparently but they were all booked up when I contacted them. I got employment when I arrived over here. I tried in Ireland but it is too hard. Employers do not seem to have any interest when your address is not in the area and your phone number is abroad. I got very few responses when I was in Ireland trying to reach out to employers as opposed to applying from the States.

Its a hard visa to get around. Plenty of preparation ie. have your resume done up, a tailored cover letter and be familiar with the websites to look for jobs etc. I used Craiglist a lot. Its very popular here in SF.

thanks for the info, very useful! cant believe the price of the visa, after putting a spanner in the works! do u mind me asking what degree u hold and how hard was it to find work in that particular field, and what other areas might be useful to hold a qualification in?

brenchy

Hey, I'v just applied for the graduate visa through the IIIC. Although they are supposedly much more strict when it comes to what job you get, they are about 600euro cheaper than USIT and are meant to be very helpful with helping you find work.

Knex*

brenchy wrote: »

Hey, I'v just applied for the graduate visa through the IIIC. Although they are supposedly much more strict when it comes to what job you get, they are about 600euro cheaper than USIT and are meant to be very helpful with helping you find work.

Did the same myself, and a mate of mine went through it last year and is currently working in Austin.

I've to yet put down my final deposit and go through the embassy part, as I'm waiting on a few things, but I found the process fine so far, anyway.

Far, far cheaper this way too.

Annie Oakes

thanks for the info guys! I am looking for work in food marketing here in ireland but literally having no luck! I wonder where I could head to in the states with suitable work!? or do you know of any suitable job site?!

Knex*

Annie Oakes wrote: »

thanks for the info guys! I am looking for work in food marketing here in ireland but literally having no luck! I wonder where I could head to in the states with suitable work!? or do you know of any suitable job site?!

We're heading to Austin, as its a relative hot spot for a lot of businesses right now. Lots of IT, Business, and Marketing jobs available, by all accounts.

According to my mate who is over there now, the trick is to apply for internships with the smaller companies, or startups. Avoid the big names, as they know you are leaving in a year and are less likely to 'waste' a hiring ticket on you. We're in IT and Business, so it certainly makes sense in that regard for us. Not too sure how Food Marketing usually works, I'm afraid.

This website is where my buddy, and the people he is over with, managed to land jobs from http://www.internships.com/

Feel free to PM me, or whatever, if you want more info.

Annie Oakes

Thank you for all the info, it has really been a help! I may pm you at some stage dont be shocked haha! thanks again

jaymcg91

I was reading that for next years grads a 2 year visa is going to be available, that'll make internship hunting easier!

McSween

We were into USIT on saturday but we will look at this IIIC organisation. Do you book your own flights if you opt for IIIC route?

Knex*

McSween wrote: »

We were into USIT on saturday but we will look at this IIIC organisation. Do you book your own flights if you opt for IIIC route?

Yeah. Your own flights, travel insurance, etc.

We were recommended this, http://www.backpackertravelinsurance.ie/, as the cheapest and best option for insurance, actually.

McSween

Knex. wrote: »

Yeah. Your own flights, travel insurance, etc.

We were recommended this, http://www.backpackertravelinsurance.ie/, as the cheapest and best option for insurance, actually.

Thanks. For two of us the insurance is €390-€440 for 12 months.

The costs appear to be as follows:

IIIC - $990 including deposit.
Insurance - €220
Flights - ?
Embassy - $160

Anything I'm missing?

Knex*

McSween wrote: »

Thanks. For two of us the insurance is €390-€440 for 12 months.

The costs appears to be as follows:

IIIC - $990 including deposit.
Insurance - €220
Flights - ?
Embassy - $160

Anything I'm missing?

Sevis fee. Around 120 or so, if I remember correctly.

Not sure, but you might need 14 months insurance, if you plan on going over a month before visa starts, and leave a month after it ends (as you are entitled to do).

McSween

Knex. wrote: »

Sevis fee. Around 120 or so, if I remember correctly.

Not sure, but you might need 14 months insurance, if you plan on going over a month before visa starts, and leave a month after it ends (as you are entitled to do).

Sevis is around $180 I think

If i round insurance up to €250 and flight, in my case, to Orlando will be around 650 return then my total cost will be around €1950 which is well short of usit's 'around 2500'. I can deduct another 200 possibly as usit said we only had to book one way fligts.

engineerbrah

brenchy wrote: »

Hey, I'v just applied for the graduate visa through the IIIC. Although they are supposedly much more strict when it comes to what job you get, they are about 600euro cheaper than USIT and are meant to be very helpful with helping you find work.

This might be a stupid question but do IIIC allow you to go anywhere in the states too?

brenchy

McSween wrote: »

We were into USIT on saturday but we will look at this IIIC organisation. Do you book your own flights if you opt for IIIC route?

Yeah the flights, insurance and embassy meeting. At first I thought it would be a lot of hassle doing it all myself but it was actually grand. The IIIC guide you through the process.

brenchy

engineerbrah wrote: »

This might be a stupid question but do IIIC allow you to go anywhere in the states too?

Yup anywhere at all

TimeToShine

Are you supposed to sort the job first or the flights and accommodation? I can imagine it being very hard to find a job if you can't give an address in the states. Also how early should you be planning this?

ProudDUB

TimeToShine wrote: »

Are you supposed to sort the job first or the flights and accommodation? I can imagine it being very hard to find a job if you can't give an address in the states. Also how early should you be planning this?

People don't normally give their addresses when they apply for a job. Future employers don't really need to know the specifics of where you live. They'll presume that you live in the city/town that you are applying for the job in, or if you don't, you are willing to move there. A phone number and an email address is what they would need from you initially, so that they can contact you about an interview. If you get the job, then yeah, they would need probably need to know your address for payroll, tax, health insurance and other human resources purposes, but they wouldn't need it initially.

brenchy

ProudDUB wrote: »

People don't normally give their addresses when they apply for a job. Future employers don't really need to know the specifics of where you live. They'll presume that you live in the city/town that you are applying for the job in, or if you don't, you are willing to move there. A phone number and an email address is what they would need from you initially, so that they can contact you about an interview. If you get the job, then yeah, they would need probably need to know your address for payroll, tax, health insurance and other human resources purposes, but they wouldn't need it initially.

I'm not sure about this, almost every job I applied to online required an address . I'm afraid if I put down an American address and they want a face to face interview?

TimeToShine

brenchy wrote: »

I'm not sure about this, almost every job I applied to online required an address . I'm afraid if I put down an American address and they want a face to face interview?

This pretty much. What do you do when they call you in for interview? Request a skype interview instead?

Knex*

A lot of them do require addresses. Just as banks require a social security number and an address. You can get by that with the bank if you have a job and they vouch for you, however.

Obviously there are ways around it with every company, but I would advise sorting the visa first and prioritising getting yourself to the States first and foremost, before putting a tonne of energy into a job search.

Realistically, you're going to be in America, and living for a while before you manage to land yourself a job.

TimeToShine

That'll be a fairly expensive on top of paying for flights and the visa. You'd need like 2k with you!

Knex*

TimeToShine wrote: »

That'll be a fairly expensive on top of paying for flights and the visa. You'd need like 2k with you!

You need that to get into the country anyway, I believe.

When you go to the embassy I'm sure you need to show proof of around 2000 dollars in your account.

Might need that again when going through customs, not sure. You do for Canada, anyway.

TimeToShine

Oh right I see, thanks for the advice. I'm in a fairly employable sector but still the thought of not getting a job and having to fly home isn't one I like to entertain.

grimman

Hey, looking at heading over to the states myself now, on a J1 graduate Visa Never heard of the IIIC before now, can someone give me an outline of what's involved with them? Seems that USIT do all the hand holding for you!

Naggins

Annie Oakes wrote: »

I have seen USIT respond to comments on their facebook page before, so u mite try that! I dont have any good website for US jobs, if you find one you mite post it here for myself also! How much approx is the 12 month visa? Your hardly going to go over for 12 months on the back of an unpaid internship are u?

A few people I know have gone and done internships in their relevant field and also worked under the counter in irish bars. I would imagine that there internships were unpaid if they were also working in bar. Heard of a few people doing that. Not ideal but in some fields unpaid internships are the norm rather than the exception.

omahonrm

I have been looking at the graduate visa for a while but my problem is having a degree in languages limits your options. Emailed USIT and then went in to them yesterday and have to say I found them completely and utterly useless. The guy I was dealing with told me that they can't tell you what sort of jobs you should be looking for or give you any advice about jobs as all they do is sort visas. He told me to contact CIEE - who told me that they could give me advice but that the sponsor in my home country would be better able to help me. By the sounds of it IIIC sounds like the better option.

Does anybody know how specific to your field the job has to be?

Wompa1

I got some greats tip from recruitment agents here on things to put on your RESUME in order to get work here.

If it's a front facing type of job, include a small picture to show you're not a bum.
List your Marital status. Many times being single can actually be an advantage.
Availability e.g. 2 weeks, 4 weeks. Date of Birth.

I was also told to write a paragraph with each job. My personal highlights from the job, achievements, what I learned, as well as reason for leaving.

I strongly suggest you highlight that you do not require sponsorship to live and work in the US. Put it top and bottom of the CV.

clarke.alan86

Hey guys,
If I apply for J1 gradaute visa today, roughly how long does it take before everything is finalised from the U.S embassy?
Im hoping to travel to New York and seek employment once I get there. Do I have a certain amount of time before I have to get a job?
Also is the DS-2007 training plan a lengthy document? Are most companies willing to fill one out? I get different feedback from people in relation to this.
Any feedback would be much appreciated!

grimman

clarke.alan86 wrote: »

Hey guys,
If I apply for J1 gradaute visa today, roughly how long does it take before everything is finalised from the U.S embassy?

6 - 8 weeks.

clarke.alan86 wrote: »

Im hoping to travel to New York and seek employment once I get there. Do I have a certain amount of time before I have to get a job?

I think you can arrive 30 days before the work visa starts, once it starts you've 3 months to find a job.

clarke.alan86 wrote: »

Also is the DS-2007 training plan a lengthy document? Are most companies willing to fill one out? I get different feedback from people in relation to this.

No idea.

swatki

Can someone please please give me advice on the IIIC- i have paid my deposit with them but now i am having second thoughts and im thinking of opting for the dreaded but familiar USIT instead as i have heard they are less strict with your job that you find - My worrys stem from the fact that realistically it will be hard to find a full time paid job in my field "art" cvan anybody tell me how strict they are with the mininum 32 hours etc and if it is a safer option to go with usit becuase they give less hassle

lauraplunk1

Hey there,

I know this post was a few years ago, but i'm in the same position at the minute, I don't know what company to choose as I have heard that the IIC have sent graduates home after a few months because they are so strict on jobs. I know you probably won't see this, but on the off chance that you do, what did you end up doing in the end? Have you heard anymore on the IIC visas? Thanks, Laura.

swatki

hey laura! I am still in the same boat as you - after doing a crazy amount of research
there is three companies - USIT (robbers)
IIC - Which i have paid my depoist with but had serious second thoughts because i heard of their die hard strictness
there is a new irish company doing it TRAVELBUG LTD , out of mayo - they have a facebook page for 1799 and you can book your own flights( embassey fee is not included tho afaik but insurance is) - they run with a sponsor different to usit but apparently the sponsor is strict but in fact they ALL seem to be, I Cant tell you how nice the people of travelbug were to deal with so far -
but at the end of the day it comes down to pocket so after much deliberation i think im going to stick with the iic and hope for the best - I Would recommend travelbug over usit in a heartbeat - and you get to book your own flights with super nice service from laura and caroline

lil_lisa

There's also go4less.ie, SAYIT (not sure if they still do the graduate visa) and Intrax Internships among others.

Wompa1

I've been to half of the states in the US now. I'm wondering and figure this is a good place to ask but why do the majority of Irish students going to the US go to the same places? e.g. Massachusetts, New York, California

Which are also among the most expensive to live...

TripleSSS

lauraplunk1 wrote: »

Hey there,

I know this post was a few years ago, but i'm in the same position at the minute, I don't know what company to choose as I have heard that the IIC have sent graduates home after a few months because they are so strict on jobs. I know you probably won't see this, but on the off chance that you do, what did you end up doing in the end? Have you heard anymore on the IIC visas? Thanks, Laura.

I'm in the same position at the moment also, but to be honest I think all the sponsors are the same. Do you mean in relation to what kind of work you are hoping to get or the amount of hours they allow you to work. I also think i'm going to go with the IIC as the price is so cheap. Also with travelbug, you only get insurance for the 12 months, so if you decide to go traveling for the last month you need to get more insurance again. Where are you thinking of going?

InTheTrees

Wompa1 wrote: »

I've been to half of the states in the US now. I'm wondering and figure this is a good place to ask but why do the majority of Irish students going to the US go to the same places? e.g. Massachusetts, New York, California

Which are also among the most expensive to live...

Not just the same states, Its worse than that because they end up in the same isolated suburbs as well.

Its because they're young and inexperienced and really just want to hang out with their friends.

Wompa1

InTheTrees wrote: »

Not just the same states, Its worse than that because they end up in the same isolated suburbs as well.

Its because they're young and inexperienced and really just want to hang out with their friends.

I never got to do the summer abroad thing. I had to keep the same job I had during the college year and try to make as much as I could to put towards the next year. Only one working parent in the family but didn't get the grant until my final year due to a 'clerical error'. But that's beside the point. I went to Boston for work during the summer. The place was brimming with Irish students.

Also unfortunately, it's not a good thing when they are working in the service industry here. They stick out like sore thumbs. I guess the locals are endeared by their accents but the quality of service is much lower than if your server has been living in the US for a while.

If I had the opportunity to come out here for a summer when I was young. Assuming, I had the funds that the ones that go to San Francisco, New York, Boston, California have. I'd go to O'ahu in Hawaii! The locals are probably the most different to any other state due to the Polynesian culture and heritage. The weather is amazing. The pacific ocean is so lovely and bright blue. There's a lot to do there too. AND when I was there, they had loads of jobs advertised too

swatki

sweeney2014 wrote: »

I'm in the same position at the moment also, but to be honest I think all the sponsors are the same. Do you mean in relation to what kind of work you are hoping to get or the amount of hours they allow you to work. I also think i'm going to go with the IIC as the price is so cheap. Also with travelbug, you only get insurance for the 12 months, so if you decide to go traveling for the last month you need to get more insurance again. Where are you thinking of going?

for me the concern is the amount of hours - and also ive come to realize all the sponsors seem the same - ciee affiliated with usit are just the biggest - i didnt cop that from the travelbug insurance but thats an interesting point - when you book with backpacker you can get a 13 month for same a s 12 - im going to new york myself

swatki

Also wompa !interesting thread post , everybody does gravitate to the most expensive and same old places -

InTheTrees

swatki wrote: »

Also wompa !interesting thread post , everybody does gravitate to the most expensive and same old places -

Its interesting to watch on boards.ie over the years, and its perfectly understandable.

Being an 18-30 year old is all about bonding and conforming with your peers. Its more important to be In The Group .

And thats okay.

swatki

Do i count as being "In the group" if i may borrow your personal observation hmm i dont know how many 18-30 year old irish immigrants live in Far Roc Queens. if there is any on here seeing this, great!

shur everybody loves a good bond eh

jaymcg91

swatki wrote: »

Do i count as being "In the group" if i may borrow your personal observation hmm i dont know how many 18-30 year old irish immigrants live in Far Roc Queens. if there is any on here seeing this, great!

shur everybody loves a good bond eh

You'd be surprised.

Ah-Watch

I've had no problems with IIIC but want to change jobs. I dont know if theyd approve my new job though. Its for one of the biggest companies worldwide working in one of their stores just as retail assistant. Does anyone know of anyone (be realistic not i heard of marys best friend twice removed) being sent home for swithcing jobs and not getting the new one approved? Can they really tell considering you dont provide your SSN to the Sponsoring Organisation?

jaymcg91

IIIC charges students to process their visa applications and acts as the sponsor to clients, thereby taking on the legal responsibility for ensuring they oblige by the terms of their visas.

http://www.thejournal.ie/iiic-boston-irish-student-j-1-visa-sent-home-924462-May2013/

This would be the big thing that the IIC were criticized about. They are really strict, and actively check that you're not violating the terms of your visa, because as I quoted, they are legally responsible for you obliging by the terms that you agreed to.