I am in desparate need of a job

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges faced by a Ph.D. candidate in EUV imaging and optics seeking employment in the United States, particularly due to citizenship status. Participants explore potential job opportunities and share personal experiences related to job searching in academia and industry.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about the difficulty of finding industry jobs for Ph.D. holders in the U.S., citing examples of peers struggling to secure employment.
  • Another participant questions the citizenship status of the original poster, seeking clarification on their residency in the U.S.
  • Suggestions are made regarding potential employment at NASA, although it is noted that citizenship is a requirement for such positions.
  • A participant mentions the necessity of a work visa sponsorship for those on a student visa and suggests exploring teaching opportunities as an alternative.
  • Personal anecdotes are shared about the employment experiences of a naturalized citizen with a Ph.D. in physics, emphasizing the challenges faced in securing relevant positions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a general consensus on the difficulties of finding jobs in the current market for non-citizens, but there is no agreement on specific pathways or solutions, as various options are proposed and debated.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of specific job leads, the dependence on citizenship status for certain positions, and the unresolved nature of the job market's current state for Ph.D. holders.

xiaoxiao
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I am getting my Ph.D. soon, in the field of EUV imaging and optics. Since I am not an American citizen, I have been turned down by some potential employers. I am so depressed. Don't like to whine here but would like to hear suggestions on where to find a job with my background. Thanks
 
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I really hate to burst your bubble, but finding a job in industry with a Phd is becoming more and more difficult in America. I know some Phds who have been looking for jobs for years. One even had to work as a cashier at an amusement park when the going got tough. Nature has a very interesting article about this:

http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/2007/070125/full/nj7126-458a.html

I wish I really had some advice for you, but I have none.
 
You are not a citizen, but you live here in the states, right?
 
xiaoxiao said:
I am getting my Ph.D. soon, in the field of EUV imaging and optics. Since I am not an American citizen, I have been turned down by some potential employers. I am so depressed. Don't like to whine here but would like to hear suggestions on where to find a job with my background. Thanks

I don't know if this helps, but NASA seems like it would be a possible candidate. Best of luck!
 
If you're here on a student visa, you'll need someone to sponsor your work visa. There's always teaching. Have you looked into that aspect?
 
berkeman said:
I don't know if this helps, but NASA seems like it would be a possible candidate. Best of luck!

To work at NASA you MUST be a US citizen, even a naturalized citizen needs to jump through all sorts of hoops to work for the government, for a non-citizen it's simply not possible.

My father-in-law is a naturalized citizen and has a PhD in physics, he taught in Buffalo, NY and Lubbock, TX , and had planned to work on the super collider project near Dallas until the funding fell through so he took a job working for a government contractor. I would think teaching would be the best first option for you for now.
 
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