Did you start your career after the set back of being on H4

@ Keet - Thank you for your response.

@Sokanasanah
Thank you so much for providing detailed suggestions. I really appreciate it.

Since I posted this thread and up until now, I’ve done my research and going the “Retail” path is absolutely the last option if nothing at all works. And I agree with everything you have said about this area. It requires many work hours and comes with very less pay. But if nothing at all works then this is not bad, may be once all kids are Full Time School goers.

MBA – Based upon my understanding from last couple weeks - I believe doing another MBA would not be worth it. Firstly coz it is way too expensive and secondly I’ve already done MBA and I would be more or less studying the same thing. Upon graduation, it would be gamble weather or not I end up getting a job. We’ve started saving on kids education, cannot take a risk of spending so much on me J
I agree with your point of view as well. I may or may not be in a proper standing to justify why I did another MBA.

Here’s some of the options I’ve been thinking of considering. I really want to know what you think. Others please provide suggestions as well. Please note the below are not in the prioritized order but just listings.

1. Master in Accounting – The area where I live has tons of banks and financial companies. I am very interested in this field. The university near me which is a top university in the US offers this program which is only for 1 year and the fees is around 50K. I liked this for several reasons – 1 year degree program, not too expensive like an MBA, plus I will be in good standing to justify why I pursued this degree. I can say I like the field and since I have gaps in my career, wanted to purse a degree and formally get back into work force. I can also justify that I like accounting and so chose to enter this field.

The only down side is I will not be able to start on the degree until 2018. My 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] child will go to Kindergarten in 2018 and so I will not have to spend on Day care while I’m out pursuing my Degree. Of course the next 3 years would go in GMAT prep and I would need to have in scores in 2017 to apply in 2017 for 2018 academic year.
Has anyone gone through this route of Accounting and have had success ? Please let me know.

2. Entry Level Positions or No experience required positions – Some banks I see have such jobs as “Loans Specialists” etc where an associate degree is required and not much experience is needed.
I was thinking if I applied to these positions and if I get into one then I can re start my career and eventually rise to higher positons based on my performance. I am a pretty talented person so rising higher would not be a problem for me I believe.
This would give me a pathway to get back into the work stream without having to spend time and money on education. The starting salary would be not that great, may be in the range of 40K to 50K but it will help me get into banks and eventually progress. Also, that salary is way better than working in Retail. Plus it will be a decent 8 to 5 job with all the comforts.
Has anyone taken this path and have had success ? Please let me know.

3. Administrative jobs/Clerical Jobs – At bigger companies where there could be an option to grow into other positions.

4. Starting my own Business - Either Franchise or something else. This would require capital investment upfront in the form of a Franchise Fee. Would this path be better than in investing in Master in Accounting degree. Both would be investments, only here I will get to run my own Business and do not need to seek employment.

So these are the couple options I have come down to at this point.

The biggest Dilemma, in any approach – Should I show my 1 year BA experience or not ?. I have all my pay checks, W-2’s and a letter from the clients staffing company to prove my employment dates at the Client site. But I was employed by an Indian Consulting firm (who sponsored my H1-B), if they ask me their reference then I will not be in a position to provide that.
Please let me know what you think would be best for me.

Please let me know what you think about the options I’ve listed.

Everyone, please contribute your suggestions.

Thank You so much for your time and for looking into my post.

 

Hello All,

I want to share a wonderful news with you all. I have started working for a largest MNC in the US as a Business Analyst. I kept my 1 year of prior BA experience and explained the reasons I had gaps in career (due to work authorization restrictions) and I was offered the job. I have good educations background, backed by my 1 year experience and effective interview I landed with my dream job.

I wanted to come back here and share this in this forum so anybody who might have been in the situation I was can get some hope. My advice is - Never give up on your dreams. Never self pity for situations you had no control over. Be prepared and when the right opportunity comes strike it. And keep working very hard

I am very happy that all my hard work, all my prayers have been answered. I am extremely grateful to GOD for making this miracle happen and I know it is his blessings that I am on right now.

I would like to thank you all as well, for providing your suggestions for my posts. I am sure you all will be happy to hear my good news.

Thanks,
Lollywolly