Help put her fears at rest

[TwoBitBandit]

I would like to give you an update about my original post, but first I would like to say thank you for all the help and advice that was provided. It is very much appreciated.

I contacted Anastassia Ash about the matter and she completely understood how my lady felt. She was just wanting to talk with someone that had experienced the process and learn first hand from them what actually was invovled. It really was not about what stage our relationship was in.
I set up a phone conversation between her and Anastassia, and then my lady contacted her a second time. I really feel now from talking to her that she is a lot more relaxed now and has a more positive outlook. She still a little nervous about some things but that's normal. I told her not to worry right now, lets go ahead and meet, spend time together, see what happens, and we would worry about the little things later.

Regardless, you've received some excellent advice in this thread.  You've never met this woman.  Letters are a fine introduction tool, but you don't know anything about her until you actually go there and get off the plane.

As Gator advised you... best have a backup plan.  You need one more than you may realize.

I would also like to say that I would highly recommend Anastassia Ash for anyone that needs help anywhere in this process. She was very nice, understanding and very knowledgable. I will be contacting her again.

I couldn't agree more.  I've used Anastassia to translate some letters and she's great.

[AnastassiaAsh]

You are welcome, Lee08.

Fear comes from the unknown, when I open up this unknown for people, fear goes away and clarity and some kind of plan of actions emerges. 

TwoBitBandit, thank you too.   

It is very nice of you to mention this on this board. 

[UTRO]

Okay, I've always believed that there are FOUR 'generalized' Classifications for Russian Women who Emigrate to English speaking Western nations...... which relates to them Successfully finding Employment in their Chosen Field(s) of Work.......

#1. University or College Education, Fluent in English
#2. University or College Education, Basic or No English
#3 No University or College Education, Fluent in English
#4. No University or College Education, Basic or No English

Depending on the Diploma/Degree, I understand that RW #1 will have very little trouble having her Education/Experience recognized. This in turn will find her Employed within her Field of Work in no time at all.....
Does this sound correct?

You know there is true Irony behind this discussion. Here we are talking about all the Educated RW who come to the West and can't find 'meaningful' employment within their Field of Work...... meanwhile, all you have to do is look at the Numerous Women's Profiles on All the RW Dating Sites and compare their Formal Education to their actual 9 to 5 Job in Russia! Man, there are a lot of Women with Engineering Degrees who now work as Store Clerks..........................

[Turboguy]

I think there are parts that fall between as well.   For example a RW who is "good" in English.  Understands enough to carry on a conversation but not quite what we would consider fluent.   Your analysis is a little two black and white in a world where there are many shades of grey.

I think too there is on the education side things like educated but in a field where there is little relevance such as a Lawyer.   Our laws are just too different here.  Or with an education in a field in which she does not want to work.

Otherwise I agree with the things you said and do consider it a good post.

[UTRO]

Turboguy, I have to agree with you about the Grey and that's why I stated, "Generalized Classification". I couldn't fit all that Grey into my Post and there is most definitely a lot of it!
One of the biggest criticisms my government gets when allowing Immigrants through the door, by Immigrants themselves, is that once they get here their Education isn't recognized and or they fail Certification Tests. Therefore they can't find jobs in their chosen Fields. There are lots of Doctors and Engineers from India and Pakistan driving Cabs in Toronto.

[Lily]

#1. University or College Education, Fluent in English
 
Depending on the Diploma/Degree, I understand that RW #1 will have very little trouble having her Education/Experience recognized. This in turn will find her Employed within her Field of Work in no time at all.....
Does this sound correct?
 

I don't think it does. Recognizing education would probably help only formally.

In employment there is one important, even crucial thing - that is your unique market proposition. Is there something that you can do better than others? Not just the same level of valuable skills than you peers have, but BETTER. That counts.

A person should have produce something valuable, something that the employers are willing to pay for. It is called marketability.

Marketability counts, not the diplomas, generally.

[groovlstk]

Whatever you do, you'd probably be best hiring a resume-writing service (unless you have are accomplished at such).

I've rewritten quite a few resumes for my wife's Russian friends living in the US. Strangely, their husbands let them assemble their own resumes without seeming to consider that even for a person with an extraordinary grasp of English, writing a resume is quite difficult as the language has to be clipped in ways that are not acceptable in other forms of written discourse.

This lead my wife to conclude that the men really didn't want their wives to work, but thanks to Groov they have new possibilities. If my wife's theory is correct, I'm sure I didn't endear myself to their husbands 

[UTRO]

I don't think it does. Recognizing education would probably help only formally.

In employment there is one important, even crucial thing - that is your unique market proposition. Is there something that you can do better than others? Not just the same level of valuable skills than you peers have, but BETTER. That counts.

A person should have produce something valuable, something that the employers are willing to pay for. It is called marketability.

Marketability counts, not the diplomas, generally.

I would agree with that Lily. It is sometimes called the 'Suck and Blow' factor here. I have gotten jobs, by being able to shine in an Interview, that I never should have. There were much better qualified individuals. I'm sure that this factor is Universal.
I would wonder how Marketable a Russian Woman, with very limited English skills, would be in looking for a job in North America? Could she win over an Interviewer based solely on what she has accomplished in Russia? That's why I'll still state that the Woman with a recognized Degree and who is Fluent in English will have the upper hand over someone that doesn't. **with work experience, of course

[alantodd]

In her field in design enginerring in oil and gas there is a huge demand.  Will need to live in Houston or Dallas Texas or California.  Thousands of jobs open in this field.  Plus with American oil companies doing joint ventures with Russian oil companies she will easily find probably a 100K job a year once she learns good English. 

There are some jobs in Denver and NJ to but 95% plus were in Texas and California.