I in deciding my specialization

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges faced by a civil engineering student from India regarding specialization choices and job prospects in the U.S. It includes considerations of visa requirements and the job market for non-resident applicants in civil engineering.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster expresses uncertainty about which specialization to choose among structural, transportation/geotechnical, water resources, and environmental engineering, noting weaknesses in hydraulics and average basics in structures.
  • Some participants suggest that job prospects may be challenging for non-American residents on an F-1 visa, emphasizing the need for an H-1B visa for employment.
  • One participant asserts that it is impossible to work on an F-1 visa, indicating that a different visa is required for employment.
  • Another participant highlights that job advertisements will specify whether applicants need to have the ability to work in the U.S. and may indicate if they will sponsor visa applications.
  • There is mention of internships potentially leading to H-1B visa sponsorship, but it is noted that this visa is temporary and limited in availability.
  • Concerns are raised about the rarity of employers offering permanent residency sponsorship, typically reserved for those already employed under an H-1B visa.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the challenges related to visa requirements for employment in the U.S., but there are differing views on the specifics of job application processes and the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the complexities of visa regulations, job market conditions, or the implications of specialization choices on future employment opportunities.

jahnavitadi
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Hello everyone,
I am civil engineering student from India. I am done with my undergrad with a cgpa of 8.5/10 and applied for colleges in America. I will be attending University of Texas at San Antonio for fall 2015. I am confused on which specialization that i need to opt for my graduation. They have structural, transportation/geotechnical, water resources, environmental engineering. I am very weak in hydraulics and my basics in structures are average. But i am currently working on improving my basics in structural engineering too.Can some one please suggest me which course is in more demand in the U.S and which will help me get a job easily in the future. Also is it true that jobs in civil engineering are hard to get if the job applicant is a non american resident with f1 visa? Please help.
 
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jahnavitadi said:
Also is it true that jobs in civil engineering are hard to get if the job applicant is a non american resident with f1 visa?

It's impossible. An F-1 is a student visa. You will need a different kind of visa if you want a job.
 
Thank you Vanadiam 50.
I need a h1b visa to do a job. With f1 visa can i apply for a civil engineering job during the college interviews and still have a fair chance?
Vanadium 50 said:
It's impossible. An F-1 is a student visa. You will need a different kind of visa if you want a job.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
That depends on how good an engineer you are, doesn't it?
 
jahnavitadi said:
Thank you Vanadiam 50.
I need a h1b visa to do a job. With f1 visa can i apply for a civil engineering job during the college interviews and still have a fair chance?

When you are seeking a job here in the US, you need to pay attention to the job advertisement and the nature of the job opening. It will state whether the job being advertized will require that you already have the ability to be employed in the US. In fact, some will explicitly indicate that you must either have a permanent residency or citizenship status, meaning that they will not be working on your behalf to change your status.

In other cases, the job advertisement may offer you an "internship" period where they will apply an H1-B visa for you. Note however that this is a temporary employment visa that extends for a maximum period of 3 years. There is also a limited number of this visa issued each year.

Only in rare cases will an employer or the company offers you a job and help you get permanent residency. More often than not, this type of offer is made to those already holding the H1-B visa and already working for them.

Zz.
 
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Thank you :-)
ZapperZ said:
When you are seeking a job here in the US, you need to pay attention to the job advertisement and the nature of the job opening. It will state whether the job being advertized will require that you already have the ability to be employed in the US. In fact, some will explicitly indicate that you must either have a permanent residency or citizenship status, meaning that they will not be working on your behalf to change your status.

In other cases, the job advertisement may offer you an "internship" period where they will apply an H1-B visa for you. Note however that this is a temporary employment visa that extends for a maximum period of 3 years. There is also a limited number of this visa issued each year.

Only in rare cases will an employee or the company offers you a job and help you get permanent residency. More often than not, this type of offer is made to those already holding the H1-B visa and already working for them.

Zz.
 

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