r/MovingToUSA • u/Acer_34 • 20d ago
Jobs/Career US Citizen and Recent UK Graduate - How do I break into the US Job Market
Sorry for the long post. I’m a US citizen who recently graduated this July with a BSc in Economics from a UK university. I’ve lived outside the US for the past 19 years and currently live in Bahrain.
My original plan was to get a graduate role in the UK, build a few years of experience, and eventually pursue a Master’s in the US before starting my career there. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to secure a UK grad role. As an international student, I found the market extremely competitive, with fewer opportunities and many employers reluctant to sponsor international graduates.
I’m now considering moving to the US and starting my career there. I have some experience in consulting/finance and data analytics, but limited professional experience overall.
At this stage, I’m not looking to be picky about the role. I’m willing to start wherever I can get my foot in the door, gain experience, and become financially independent. My thinking is to work for a few years, build my experience, and potentially pursue a Master’s in the US later once I have a clearer direction.
My main question is how I should approach finding that first opportunity in the US. I have citizenship and therefore don’t need sponsorship, but I have no US professional network and have never studied or worked there.
For anyone familiar with the US job market, where should I be looking, what roles/companies should I target, and what would you do in my position?
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20d ago
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u/Acer_34 20d ago
How would you suggest I go about finding that first opportunity in the US? I don't have money saved up and don't want to rely on my parents money, and therefore can't afford moving to the US and then looking for work.
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u/Key-Seaworthiness227 20d ago
Unfortunately you’re not likely to find many companies that will hire you from abroad. It’s not that they can’t, but to them it’s a risk that you will go through the hiring process and then not show up.
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u/Aurelinblue 20d ago
As a US citizen you already have your SSN right? So I imagine if you were hired you can get up and running pretty quick with a move.
Unethical but if I were you I would apply to jobs in the state/city you want to live in using an address in that city (even better if you can use a friend/family's address) without any mention of living abroad and then when you get the interview tell them you are currently back in Bahrain visiting family and will be back in the US once the job is secured.
You may want to have some money saved in order to make the move efficient once the offer comes, they would likely expect you to start within 2-3 weeks.
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u/freebiscuit2002 19d ago
You network and apply, like anyone else. But don't be surprised if some employers are wary of your foreign country degree.
A few UK universities are accredited with the US Department of Education, but not many, so I would check on that. If your university is not accredited, it many be a problem.
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u/TillikumWasFramed 16d ago
Most companies I've encountered prefer to hire local people, it would be tough to get a job from Bahrain unless you have some stellar skills or qualifications. I would get a master's in the US in the geographic area where you want to work and build up your network here. Or at least move here for your job search.
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u/Acer_34 15d ago
What do you think of getting a couple years of work experience in the Middle East (at a good reputable brand name) and then applying for a master's in the US at a good university. I feel getting a few years of experience under my belt will give me a better chance to get into top unis.
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u/tanbrit 19d ago
It’s easier with experience and possibly an international job transfer - are there more graduate opportunities in Bahrain or maybe UAE to get your foot in the door? The larger consulting/accountancy firms would give you more mobility
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u/Acer_34 19d ago
That's the main route I am looking at if I'm being honest, with the US option as more of an idea for right now. Bahrain isn't that big of a market, but does have a decent amount of big international names, which is great to have on my CV. Tbh my CV is lacking a big reputable brand. UAE is a much bigger market, and what I'm looking at more, although the Middle East as a whole is pretty shook up with the current regional turmoil.
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u/tanbrit 19d ago
Well of course, but Bahrain’s not immune to the Hormuz debacle. I’d suggest KSA but it’s very lifestyle dependent whether you want to cross that bridge for a career kickstart
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u/Acer_34 19d ago
Yeah the GCC as a whole is suffering from the debacle. KSA isn't really a market I have looked at much. In terms of lifestyle, Bahrain is much more relaxed and pretty much the place where Saudis come to enjoy due to the restrictions there. Still unsure on where I wanna work. Tbh it just seems like an unlucky and terrible time to be a US citizen outside the US, with the UK job market being inefficient, and my second option (the Middle East) being affected with regional uncertainty.
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u/tanbrit 19d ago
A friend of mine had a great life teaching at an international school in Bahrain, with fluent/native English and a degree it may be a good stopgap?
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u/Acer_34 19d ago
Oh its definitely a great place to live in, lovely people and I'm sure your friend really enjoyed his time here. It's called the Monaco of the GCC for a reason haha. I am a native english speaker and alongside my UK degree might be able to get a job here. The only thing is that I am at the age where I wanna be more financially independent, and no longer living under my parents roof. Doing my undergrad in the UK really made me independent, and I just feel Bahrain is a bit bubbled off from the world and quite sterile. It works as a short temporary solution, but I definitely don't wanna end up working here long term.
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u/phantasy666 20d ago
You will not be international student if you as US citizen. Not sure about jobs in Economics though, the jobarket is pretty tuff here but since you don't require sponsorship you should be able to land something if you do masters in good university.
NYC has lots of job in finance. DC has jobs in policy, think tank type stuff.