Entry-level green energy jobs for engineer in Hawaii

[GandK 168]

Hi Everyone

My fiancé ( a USC) graduated with a MSc in Public Health from London a few months ago and she landed a really good job in Honolulu, Hawaii.

I am a Danish citizen, although I was born and raised in Thailand until I was 16 years old. It seems that we will start our career and life together in Hawaii and we are going to file K-1 petition next week.

I have a BSc in computer and electronics engineering and I am to graduate with MSc in Wind energy engineering from Denmark in March 2012.

My concern is I don't have much professional experience besides knowledge obtained from school and I am 28 years old.

This raises a doubt for me if I can find an entry-level job in Hawaii with degrees from abroad and if moving Hawaii is the right choice for BOTH of us.

We have talked about this and she would reject the job offer if it is for the best for both of us.

I don't wan to hold her back from landing a really good job working in the field the she loves but I fear that it's going to take a long time for me to find a first job and it's going to get even more difficult as I get older and don't have any working experience. If I can't find any job in Hawaii, we will probably have to leave Hawaii altogether and start somewhere else, I know that I have a much better chance of finding a job in Denmark.

Please advice, thank you

[slangofoil 50]

Hi Everyone

My fiancé ( a USC) graduated with a MSc in Public Health from London a few months ago and she landed a really good job in Honolulu, Hawaii.

I am a Danish citizen, although I was born and raised in Thailand until I was 16 years old. It seems that we will start our career and life together in Hawaii and we are going to file K-1 petition next week.

I have a BSc in computer and electronics engineering and I am to graduate with MSc in Wind energy engineering from Denmark in March 2012.

My concern is I don't have much professional experience besides knowledge obtained from school and I am 28 years old.

This raises a doubt for me if I can find an entry-level job in Hawaii with degrees from abroad and if moving Hawaii is the right choice for BOTH of us.

We have talked about this and she would reject the job offer if it is for the best for both of us.

I don't wan to hold her back from landing a really good job working in the field the she loves but I fear that it's going to take a long time for me to find a first job and it's going to get even more difficult as I get older and don't have any working experience. If I can't find any job in Hawaii, we will probably have to leave Hawaii altogether and start somewhere else, I know that I have a much better chance of finding a job in Denmark.

Please advice, thank you

Well, I don't know what jobs might be available in your field in Hawaii. You'd have to do some research. A very brief Google search just now showed some results when I typed in "green energy hawaii" so there might be something there. You might run into problems anywhere having foreign qualifications. Hawaii is likely to be no worse than anywhere else in that respect.

But to me, the first priority at this time should be the USC/petitioner having a good job that will support him and you initially. One of the things you will be required to prove is that you will not become a public charge when you get here. That means your fiance has to have a job that will support you both until you have work authorization. It can take 3-6+ months for you to do the AOS process and get permission to work. So I think if this is a good job opening then he should take it.

Besides I'd love the chance to live in Hawaii for a while.

[Darnell 8,478]

what research have you done, so far, with 'company listings' in Hawaii, all islands?

what research have you done at the job search center at your university in Denmark, as well, for 'overseas employers with offices in Hawaii' ?

You need a new friend, I think so, at the job search center at your university, nowish.

Edited December 12, 2011 by Darnell

[GandK 168]

Thank you for your response. We plan to have her parents co-sponsor my application since she just graduated and didn't have any significant income in the last 3 years.

I heard that the immigration also consider the beneficiary's credentials and the likelihood he will do well in the USA, I hope that is true.

I have been in contact with the career center at my university but they don't have much contact and information about career opportunity in Hawaii.

Our original plan was to migrate to California, because that's where she is from. There is quite a lot of renewable activities especially wind farms development in CA, so I have higher chance of finding something.

She is still looking for a job in CA, so we still have not decided about Hawaii yet because it is such a big step for us.

Edited December 13, 2011 by GandK

[Darnell 8,478]

you need to have a human in the career center at yer uni do some research; engage with that human, give a broad stroke of what yer looking for, and let that human 'get to work'.

Humans is important, always .

[Joandjo 20]

Hi Everyone

My fiancé ( a USC) graduated with a MSc in Public Health from London a few months ago and she landed a really good job in Honolulu, Hawaii.

I am a Danish citizen, although I was born and raised in Thailand until I was 16 years old. It seems that we will start our career and life together in Hawaii and we are going to file K-1 petition next week.

I have a BSc in computer and electronics engineering and I am to graduate with MSc in Wind energy engineering from Denmark in March 2012.

My concern is I don't have much professional experience besides knowledge obtained from school and I am 28 years old.

This raises a doubt for me if I can find an entry-level job in Hawaii with degrees from abroad and if moving Hawaii is the right choice for BOTH of us.

We have talked about this and she would reject the job offer if it is for the best for both of us.

I don't wan to hold her back from landing a really good job working in the field the she loves but I fear that it's going to take a long time for me to find a first job and it's going to get even more difficult as I get older and don't have any working experience. If I can't find any job in Hawaii, we will probably have to leave Hawaii altogether and start somewhere else, I know that I have a much better chance of finding a job in Denmark.

Please advice, thank you

My suggestion is to explore every aspect of the Wind Industry. Besides Wind Farms in Hawaii besides Kahaku and First wind also look at off shore Tower manufacturers in China, Viet Nam and Korea. They need sales reps. Wind tower ####### manufacturers as well are springing up in India and all over China and Korea. Don't be afraid to call every aspect of the Wind Industry and ask about the oppurtunities. Often thinking out of the box works. Wind power will boom in the U.S. and even though your ability to travel abroad may be limited you'll be able to travel all over the U.S. If you can convince any of the manufacturing companies that you can assist in sales in some way you can find an "IN". The Tax shelters in the U.S. are uncertain beyond 2012 so there's a boom on to manufacture as much wattage as possible. Market that degree and yourself.

[Joandjo 20]

I'll also say that I work in the wind industry. My degree is in Social Work and I work in the evening for a Therapist facilitating groups for Sex offenders. I want to transition from the steel industry into full time Social Work but the current market has me holding my current job (20 Years) and creating a second spot. Market yourself and don't stop. Don't accept no. Just keep calling and writing and visit the employers when you can. Wind Industry is alive and well all over the U.S. especially Texas and the midwest.

[adiiann 163]

I worked in energy industry, so I may suggest to try the renewable energy jobs or positions in electric utilities in Hawaii since renewable energy is mandatory in electric industries that have conventional fueled power plants.

Good Luck.