What is your wifes profession

[Simoni]

The guys who are married-what your wives do? Whats their original professions and do they work in your country,and if yes,what do they do? Thanks.

She worked in marketing for a number of international firms.  Her fluency in English was a big plus for her.   She is currently working on a second degree here, with a major in international business.

[jj]

Marina has a degree in engineering and law.  She used the law degree the most and was working for ministry of transportation.  Once we complete AOS and get her daughter thru college, then she would like to get paralegal certificate  as she would have to almost start over again for law school here.  In the meantime, she is happy at home taking care of the three of us.

[groovlstk]

Groov,

That's really wonderful to hear and while it will still be a big challenge for her you must be (and should be) incredibly proud!

Like you, they've got a good catch!   

Kuna

Thanks Kuna,

One thing I can't figure out is what she's doing with a doofus like me. I'm not complaining now, mind you.

[Simoni]

One thing I can't figure out is what she's doing with a doofus like me. I'm not complaining now, mind you.

Yeah, how did that happen?  Looks like she would have been more patient, and she would have done much better!     LOL

[groovlstk]

Yeah, how did that happen?  Looks like she would have been more patient, and she would have done much better!     LOL

Simoni, what you're really saying is that if she waited a bit longer, she might have run into a guy like you, yes?  Well, you might have noticed that to be on the safe side I waited until after you were engaged to introduce you to my wife 

[Simoni]

Simoni, what you're really saying is that if she waited a bit longer, she might have run into a guy like you, yes?  Well, you might have noticed that to be on the safe side I waited until after you were engaged to introduce you to my wife 

ha, funny but true ? !  LOL

BTW, the website you created for your wife is amazing!  One of the best I have ever seen.  Good work! :-)

A few weeks ago, I built her a website to showcase her portfolio to employers, and when that was done we cobbled together a resume for her.

[KenC]

Groovster,
Very impressive website and even more impressive work!  No wonder she has potential employers lining up like sheep.  Deffinately top end work for any where in the world.

I am sitting here laughing to myself thinking "another poor Russian girl saved from a life of poverty."
 
KenC

[groovlstk]

Thanks Simoni and Ken.

As married men, you guys can probably well imagine what an ordeal it was was to put this together.

"I don't like that color."

"I want to use a different photo of myself."

"I know I'm your wife but you need to work with me as if I'm your client."

"OK, I'll shut up and go read for an hour."

 

[ScottinCrimea]

considering the amount of time and agony it took for my wife and I just to choose the wallpaper for our apartment, I can only imagine what you went through.   

[ionizer]

I was just reading this thread, and I saw that someone, (sorry, I don't remember who) asked some time ago whether an FSU Dr. could work here, and how.  I saw a yes answer, but not really any details.  At my old hospital (we all still get together for happy hours/parties), there are several interns/residents in all fields, inc. Radiology, mainly from China and India, but also some from Russia and Romania.

To practice here, they have to take an English competency exam, and then the USMLE medical board test.  When they pass that, they are required to do an internship in medicine or surgery for a year, then have to serve a multi-year residency in the field of their choice.
No matter that most of them have already done so in their home country.
Pretty much the same thing for Dentists.
More info is available on mdlinks.net

[ScottinCrimea]

ionizer,
     Some of your information is not correct.  For example, no English competency exam is required and the "internship" doesn't have to be in medicine or surgery.  there's more to it, but no need to repeat what has been discussed before.  If anyone wants details, they can PM me.

[pk-uk]

My wife was in the health profession in the FSU.  As well as her nursing qualifications she also passed further exams to qualify as what we she could only describe as a "Doctor's assistant".  I think it meant she was qualified to assist the doctor in surgical procedures.

Her English was extremely limited on arrival in the UK so she went to college full-time to improve it in the first instance.  She had hoped to register as a nurse in the UK, but knew that she had to prove her English competency and also, even if admitted, may well have to undertake a period of training - possibly at her own expense.

After two years she sat her English test, but had not reached the required level.  By this time she was also thinking about going into radiology and studying for that.  However, again her English was such that she could not register on the required course.

After a further year she was more confident to study at a lower level and got a place at the local Dental University to train as a Dental Nurse.  She was one of 15 chosen from around 95, but even then the head tutor had not sat on the selection committee the day Alla was interviewed and told her that she may not have agreed as she was concerned Alla's English may not be good enough for the course-work.  She needn't have worried.  Alla's marks on the course-work were higher than anybody had ever achieved.  They've now employed her 

Of course, if she'd come from the EU then she could have been registered as a nurse from day 1 

[aikorob]

Guys, I know this topic is semi-dead, but the conversation around the house has been revolving around this topic for the past few days.

N. is very depressed because the vast majority of girls on the RW forums are happy with their jobs slinging burgers or swabbing toilets "they have total happiness!"
She has 2 Master's degrees; and she says if this is all the future holds for her---she is headed back to Odessa 

If any of your wives with normal, successful jobs (who don't think McDonald's is total happiness) would be willing to talk to her, please send me a PM.

[Ranetka]

Guys, I know this topic is semi-dead, but the conversation around the house has been revolving around this topic for the past few days.

N. is very depressed because the vast majority of girls on the RW forums are happy with their jobs slinging burgers or swabbing toilets "they have total happiness!"
She has 2 Master's degrees; and she says if this is all the future holds for her---she is headed back to Odessa 

If any of your wives with normal, successful jobs (who don't think McDonald's is total happiness) would be willing to talk to her, please send me a PM.

Where do you live? I live in the UK and work as an engineer. If one of her degrees is in technical field it might be the easier route to a "good" job.

[Jet]

aikorob,

I'm going to be blunt here but please don't take it personally. What N. needs is not someone to commiserate with about her unfortunate circumstance, but rather, a plan of action.

First, get her English up to speed.
        You get what you pay for, so keep that in mind when choosing between an $800/mo University course and free classes at the local high school

Next, get a credential evaluation done. A good place to start is http://www.naces.org/
        What she had in Odessa is irrelevant unless it is transferable to an equivalent degree here.

Next, help her put together a resume or CV. Help her word it for the US business market.

Then, send it out to anyplace that's hiring for any position even remotely related to her field - think creatively

Finally, send her on interviews, lots of interviews

Eventually, she'll land something better than "hotel maid 3rd class"

Lil has a great job teaching HS Math. She didn't get it by talking on the phone to other Russians/Ukrainians. She got it by busting her @ss and not giving up. She sent out hundreds of resumes, she bombed out of dozens of interviews, in the end she was hired by a department head that had previously rejected her in favor of an American (who subsequently quit after two weeks). Once she had her foot in the door, she never looked back.

Empower her, it's the job you signed on for 

[Zhena]

I think N. somewhat dramatizing 
At first,I didnt notice anybody being happy by cleaning the toilets or something like that. Usually the girls get a low-paid job for the first time which doesnt require an education...but that doesnt mena they are happy with that and have to stuck with that. Thats just a stage. When you move to another country,you have to forget your proudness about all degrees you have...cos in the most cases its nothing here. In some cases you can convert your diploma as Jet noticed though. So those girls who dream about really good job usually go to get the american education. In any case ,if she has a desire and a goal,she has to work on that ,not complain that nobody appreciate what she has already. Here is another country. Period.
By the way I know many girls who succeed and many positive optimistic stories. But they worked alot,of course.

[docetae]

When you move to another country,you have to forget your proudness about all degrees you have...

B********. When you move to another country, you must keep focus on your goal and reach it. If you accept a low-paid job, this is shooting yourself in the foot, locking yourself in a bad position and impacting your resume. If the work is associated with a professional order, get your title recognized, even if this take time, if not, show your skills and be ready to change your job often for better salary during the two first years.

I am not married yet but we plan for my girlfriend to be here next year and I did not see her starting back from zero(she is managing international logistic for food import in Ukraine). Both of us will be immigrant in Canada.

[myrddin]

When you move to another country,you have to forget your proudness about all degrees you have...

B********. When you move to another country, you must keep focus on your goal and reach it. If you accept a low-paid job, this is shooting yourself in the foot, locking yourself in a bad position and impacting your resume. If the work is associated with a professional order, get your title recognized, even if this take time, if not, show your skills and be ready to change your job often for better salary during the two first years.

It looks to me that there's agreement here that a new immigrant has to work hard to get to the job she wants in her new country.  It no doubt takes considerable effort to get previous qualifications recognized.

The only difference is the question of whether it's okay to take that job "cleaning toilets" (or something like that) in the meantime. 

In my experience in the US, taking a lower-paying job while working towards your goal does not hurt you.  I'd even say it usually helps.  Is the situation different for immigrants?

[aikorob]

Jet-No offence taken, let me fill in some details.
1. Her English is much better than most other immigrants in the area allready--heck, it's better than some of the natives around here.
2. Diplomas have been evaluated--she was pissed her Master's degrees were rated equivalent to Bachelor's here  :burnedup:
Resume--admittidly she is half-hearted about this.
No the biggest obstacle is driving---but she is terrorizing the back roads every weekend.  GUYS---INSIST YOUR LADY LEARN TO DRIVE BEFORE SHE COMES OVER HERE
She is going to be visiting Odessa next month--she says she has more documents and diplomas to bring back---after her return, we will schedule a meeting with some of the department chairs at the local universities to see what path she needs to take.

Zhena--of course she is exaggerating somewhat---she did meet another girl from ATL online (wife of one of our hockey players). I drove her to this lary's baby shower recently--after that she did admit that the other FSU girls that also attended had real jobs----real estate, banking, managerial.
 
I think her basic problem is perception---the ladies with higher jobs are too busy to lounge online all day, so the ones she talks to are skewed to the housewives and girls with menial jobs.

[docetae]

In my experience in the US, taking a lower-paying job while working towards your goal does not hurt you.  I'd even say it usually helps.  Is the situation different for immigrants?

In Canada and US, migrants are first seen as cheap labor even if you are qualified for a job, during first year, you will be paid 20%,30% less than your counterpart. Why ? All employer are asking for local experience and want to take no risk based on a resume. After 10 years here, I have understood that all jobs opportunities are based on personal networking too. As immigrant, you start it from zero and even if you are scammed, you are not a danger for the company who has hired you, as you have no local links. Immigrant are in 80% of case seen as renewable and cheap labor. All employer are asking for local experience and want to take no risk based on a resume.

The real difficulty is to establish this network who will make you reach your goal. The process is slow and take time, years usually. If you accept low-paid, not qualified jobs, you stop yourself from establishing this network of people who can help you to try do what you want. (and this is a two way process, you must never forget people who helped you).

[aikorob]

By the way I know many girls who succeed and many positive optimistic stories. But they worked alot,of course.

Both N. and I am certain there are successful girls---she was just looking for some concrete examples---and maybe some ispiration as well.

[Zhena]

B********. When you move to another country, you must keep focus on your goal and reach it. If you accept a low-paid job, this is shooting yourself in the foot, locking yourself in a bad position and impacting your resume. If the work is associated with a professional order, get your title recognized, even if this take time, if not, show your skills and be ready to change your job often for better salary during the two first years.

I am not married yet but we plan for my girlfriend to be here next year and I did not see her starting back from zero(she is managing international logistic for food import in Ukraine). Both of us will be immigrant in Canada.

Ok you ll say b....... after your gf will be there. You have your ambitions and I have some experience and experience of many other girls. Not everyone have an opportunity to improve her skills and study ok? Some girls go to worrk right after they leave the airplane. Its not me,but many women really have to work immediately due to luck of money. What kind of job can you get if you dont have an american diploma huh? Nobody says to stuck on that job for a long time. Everything depends on us.
Good luck to your gf .

[Lily]

Zhena, even if a FSUW occasionally has an American diploma, it may be not easy to land a job, as she will have to compete with natives on labor market. Her language skills may still be worse than those of her American competitors.

In the job search, the key is whether there is anything that can she do better than her American competitors.

If she only can bring the very same set of skills as the locals, she 'd probably be out of job. If she can perform four times better than locals and she can prove this to the prospective employer, then she is marketable.

[Zhena]

Zhena, even if a FSUW occasionally has an American diploma, it may be not easy to land a job, as she will have to compete with natives on labor market. Her language skills may still be worse than those of her American competitors.

In the job search, the key is whether there is anything that can she do better than her American competitors.

If she only can bring the very same set of skills as the locals, she 'd probably be out of job. If she can perform four times better than locals and she can prove this to the prospective employer, then she is marketable.

I would say,depends what kind of job shes looking for.
Of course,her language has to be fluent,no questions there. Without a language,you ll never find a normal job anywhere.
But once she has a language and brings the same set of skills as the locals,she has the same chance as the locals. Here not your hereditary important,but your professionalism and abitity to work. If you mean the recomendations from previous work,well,everybody has to start  somewhere and build his own work history. So,I didnt see the discrimination for non-americans.
But the problem really is the language for the most of them ,and absense of american education.

[Lily]

I don't mean any hereditary discrimination or lack of recommendations, but an unsufficient professionalism due to their level of English being not up to the level of a highly educated American, including an accent free prononciation. For instance, I have been told that my English (mainly spoken) is not sufficient to work in legal field in the U.S.