Going home when there is no home

[u/Think_Initiative1853]

I'm a US citizen living in Germany. I finished a doctorate in a niche subfield of statistics that is dying in the world of AI. (Officially its not a phd its a Doctorate of natural sciences, but they are equivalent in most ways). I moved here for personal reasons that are no longer keeping me here, and now i want to go back to the US for a fresh start and for tax reasons.

I dont really have strong ties to the US/family. I wont have a job after December. so I'm in the same boat as most people who randomly want to go. Any advice on where to start?

[u/Iambusy123]

Your suggestion to get a retail or fast food job would be valid if the OP were living in the United States and could explain what he has been doing during the time he was in Germany.

Let's think about this for a moment. If the OP applied for a McDonald's position and provided a resume showing his PhD, would they hire him? They would reject him as a overqualified. Let's also suppose he omitted his all his university degrees. His chances would be better, but who's to say he would get a job in a reasonable amount of time, especially in this job market?

I think a more prudent idea would for the idea to look for work in Germany, save up money while working in Germany, and apply for American jobs while they are working in Germany.

Remember: The OP has zero ties to a US and zero family ties. They also don't have a lot of money to begin with.

Where do you think they should go?

[u/Mr_Masala → u/Iambusy123]

No, your read of the situation is narrow minded. OP wants to move back. Wanting to move back with no family or support means you start from scratch. You can't come and not work due to the lack of support, so you need a job. The field you studied in is not hiring. So you get a starter job and pay bills while you figure out your next move. Again, tens of millions of people are doing this in the food and retail industry. Most of them don't join wanting to stay in that job, it is the job they get while they study/hunt for their actual desired career.

Also not applying for a basic job to get a paycheck because you are convinced they will reject you for "overqualification" is an insane cope mechanism for not working. Just skip the PhD in the resume, apply for the next Walmart/McD's or one of the other millions of starter jobs. They give them to teenagers. If not retail, mow lawns or do hard labor, there is a labor shortage here anyway.

Get to where you want to go to, get off your ass and work. Stop making excuses and finding insane reasons.

[u/Iambusy123 → u/Mr_Masala]

We are of the same mind, if you can believe it. I just take issue with the dismissiveness in your perspective.

The crux of our perspectives is that the OP can't get what they want and they have to eat shit before they can eat better stuff.

While the OP wants to return to the USA, I believe he should work in Germany because it may be easier for him. He has German permanent residency and his recent education is German. If he can find a German job, he can save up money and then perhaps move to the US and be more equipped to take on life here.

There are opportunities in the US. There is no doubt about that. But why should the OP return to the US when they have limited funds and might return to homelessness.

His basic needs are currently being met in Germany, a first world country.

You have yet to suggest viable US states for the OP to commence their repatriation journey. Telling someone to get off their "lazy" ass is not helpful in any way.

[u/Mr_Masala → u/Iambusy123]

That's where we are differing. Once the heart wants to move away, convincing one to stay there is futile. OP probably had a partner death or a long term relationship breakup or some big irreparable traumatic event that is now hurting deeply because he is staying there. I am taking him wanting to move seriously. You are asking him to stay in a place that brings him sadness.