The second country in our work abroad series is the United States. In this work abroad USA guide, we cover everything you need to know before moving to the US for work. Whether you’re a student looking for summer jobs in US or you’re searching for graduate opportunities in the USA, we have you covered.
From the grand canyon to the Brooklyn Bridge, the US is home to some of the world’s most famous tourist attractions, making it a popular ex-pat destination. And with relatively similar cultures and a shared language, the US is a particularly popular choice for Brits. Compared to other countries, obtaining a visa to live and work in the United States is difficult. However, don’t let that put you off. There are many amazing opportunities to work abroad in the US and experience the American Dream.
Work Abroad USA: The American Job Market
Despite a slightly higher-than-average unemployment rate of 5.9%, the US boasts one of the most powerful economies on the planet. As a result, the country has seen a huge boom in the retail, real estate, IT, hospitality, and construction industries. According to the Department of Labor, the fastest-growing sectors in the US are currently software engineering, science, healthcare, community care, and environmental research.
In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 428,000 jobs appeared on the US labor market in April 2022 alone. Thus, employers are ramping up graduate recruitment efforts. With an abundance of jobs and a shortage of talent, now is a fantastic time for international students to look for graduate opportunities in the US.
As a foreign graduate, the best opportunities lie in the technology sector and other specialised markets such as aerospace, military equipment development, forestry, chemical, textiles, and other service industries. Indeed, service industries make up almost 80% of the national GDP.
Work Abroad USA: How to Find a Graduate Job
The US, known as the ‘land of opportunity’, is famous for its competitive job market. Therefore graduates will need to ensure they are well-prepared before they begin their search for graduate jobs in the US. The good news is that there are plenty of amazing benefits of employing international students and graduates.
To help you prepare, we have put together a wealth of resources including networking tips, emphasising transferable skills, CV advice, and applying for graduate schemes.
The US has one of the best media sectors in the world. From TV to music to cinema, media graduates have significant career opportunities in the USA. Similarly, California’s renowned Silicon Valley is packed with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups that are eager to hire the next generation of talent.
As an international graduate, the best way to find work in the US is through an organisation in your home country. For instance, large enterprises such as Googe, PwC, IBM, Pfizer, Apple, or Microsoft offer opportunities for employees to transfer to other locations. In this case, you will most likely need to get your foot in the door in the UK and request a transfer after working in the organisation for a period of time. By doing so, your organisation can help you to obtain all the necessary paperwork and a visa.
Looking for opportunities with large enterprises in the UK? Check out our job board for students and graduates to find opportunities near you.
If this isn’t an option for you, you will need to start the job search before arriving in the US. This can be a trickier process. However, if you have specialist skills that are in demand in the states, employers can opt to sponsor your visa. More on working visas USA later.
In-Demand Skills in the USA
Like most countries, the USA has skills shortages in certain industries, making graduates with those skills in high demand.
Currently, the most in-demand occupations in the US include:
- Healthcare professionals
- Construction workers
- Web developers
- Software engineers
- Digital marketing specialists
- Trade professionals
- Data analytics specialists
In terms of soft skills, the following three competencies are in high demand in job roles across the US:
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Negotiation skills
As a result of these skills shortages, international graduates who possess these technical or soft skills have a great chance of landing a graduate job in the USA.
Best Places to Find a Graduate Job in the US
We’ve put together a list of the top graduate site in the US. Before we go any further though, it’s important to note that you will need to be eligible to work before applying for positions on these sites. Therefore, graduates are expected to do their research and obtain the appropriate visa before beginning the job hunt.
Once you have the right to work in the USA, the following sites are packed with graduate opportunities for international students.
Alternatively, if you are looking for seasonal work for graduates in the US, try CoolWorks.
Top Graduate Employers in the USA
With a booming economy and a focus on innovation, many US employers hire graduates both domestic and international. In a recent survey carried out by Forbes and Statistica, they identified the 300 top graduate employers in the USA. We have summarised the top ten graduate recruiters below.
- Indeed
- Mayo Clinic
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
- NASA
- Charles Schwab
- UCLA Health
- Fidelity Investments
- State of Michigan
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- Trader Joe’s
With so many fantastic graduate opportunities to choose from, we recommend narrowing your search down to just a few. That way, you can focus your efforts on tailoring your CV and application to the company. This will dramatically improve your chances of getting selected.
Work Abroad USA: Summer Jobs
A fantastic way to experience living and working in the states is by looking for summer jobs in the US. Typically, summer work is available in the USA between June and September. During the summer months, there is plenty of seasonal work available in hotels, beach clubs, restaurants, ranches, and other tourist attractions. This type of work is particularly ideal for graduates who are taking a gap year and want to work while they travel.
Many UK students and graduates opt for work at an American summer camp. Summer camp workers get to work in an international environment, monitoring American children. As a summer camp monitor, you’ll oversee camp activities such as arts and crafts, sports, and nature activities.
The following organizations connect international graduates with summer jobs in the US:
Work Abroad USA: Internships
Taking on an internship in the US provides a great entry-way into the country. As a result, internships are a popular option for UK students who want to work abroad in the USA. There are different ways to secure an internship in the states. For instance, you can find your own internship through connections or online networking. Alternatively, you can find a placement through an organisation. The advantage of going through an internship provider is that they typically organise everything for you. This includes the work placement, the visa sponsorship, and accommodation.
Below is a list of some common internship providers in the USA.
For recent graduates with a couple of years of work experience under their belt, there is also the Fullbright Commission. The commission provides trainee programmes and short-term work placements for international graduates.
Finally, if you want to experience working abroad in the USA without actually moving overseas, there’s also the option of a virtual internship. A virtual internship allows you to get to know the American work culture and build valuable work experience remotely. It’s a more cost-effective option for UK graduates who want to work with US companies.
In terms of visa requirements, you will be required to obtain a J-1 visa. This visa is available to international students and graduates coming to the US for temporary work or an internship. The J-1 visa covers internships of up to a year and trainee programmes for as long as 18 months.
Work Abroad USA: Volunteering Opportunities
Volunteering is another exciting way to experience life in the USA. And pick up valuable skills in the process. Volunteering not only looks great on your CV, but it’s a chance to make lifelong friends all over the world while doing some good.
The USA has a wide array of volunteering opportunities. However, it’s important to obtain the correct visa before entering the country. For those looking to enter the US to do unpaid work for a charity or religious organisation, you will need a B-1 visa. Since US visa regulations are strict, we advise always checking the specific requirements before taking on a volunteering position.
Visit volunteer.gov to find the latest volunteer opportunities in the US as well as helpful advice and relevant resources.
Graduate Jobs in the US: What Visa Do I Need?
The USA is one of the best places to further your career as a recent graduate. Having said that, it also has some of the strictest visa requirements in the world. As such, it’s crucial that you do your homework and acquire the appropriate visa before you take on a job opportunity.
While the J-1 exchange programme is a popular option for graduates coming to the US for short-term work, it’s not for long-term stays. For longer stays, the L-1 visa is an alternative option. The L-1 visa is available to international workers provided that their company is willing to transfer them to the US for as long as 5 years.
The H category visa is a visa route for skilled workers with specialised skills. The H category visa grants visas to individuals who are highly gifted or who possess highly in-demand skills. Although, it is not typically awarded to recent graduates or students. For the latest information on obtaining a visa to work in the US, we recommend visiting the US Citizenship and Immigration website.
Finally, if you plan to visit the US on holiday, UK nationals are entitled to travel to the US on an ESTA visa as part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
Thanks to the complex visa system, working in the US may seem like a distant dream. But, if you do your homework or work with an organization, finding a graduate job in the US is definitely possible.
Final Thoughts
Graduating is a huge achievement. However, deciding what comes next can be hard. Working abroad is a wonderful chance to expand your career prospects and gain valuable life experience. While there are strict visa regulations in place, graduates are highly sought-after in the US. Therefore, it’s a great location to look for a graduate job.
To help you prepare for your work abroad opportunity, be sure to explore the Developing a Student website. It has a wealth of useful resources for graduate jobseekers, including CV writing tips and advice on writing an impactful cover letter. Be sure to get in touch if you have specific questions or sign up for the free Developing a Student email newsletter using the form below.
Looking for graduates jobs in the UK? Don’t forget to check out our dedicated Student and Graduate Jobs Board for fantastic opportunities in your area.
