[LV180]

Hey guys

I'm 21 from the UK, just finished university here and basically am looking how into how i can come to Las Vegas to work and live, perhaps temporaily at first then hopefully on a permanent basis.

I've worked in hotels doing barwork and waitering for the last 2 years while at uni and love the industry, I enjoy the social side of it, meeting new people every day, working in a large team to make an event successfull. I think i want to have a career in the hotel industry.

From research it seems the J1 visa is my best bet for getting into the country to work for a short period of time (6 months or so). Any advice on possible hotels that would sponser me to come and work for a period of time? Could i get into the country by doing a catering course perhaps?

I've been to vegas twice in the past, most recently in april this year and i love the place. Dont worry im not one of these people who only sees the strip and thinks that thats all there is to vegas. I love the desert landscape, the weather,( im one of those people whos completly different depending on the weather, being from england i feel down quite abit for no reason and i know its the weather that makes me feel like this because whenever its really sunny and hot im a different person, happier, more confident, full of energy etc ). Basically I just love the whole area of Las Vegas and believe I'd thrive there given a chance to.

Ever since i was a little kid i've always seen myself living in las vegas, its been my dream and the only place I've really wanted to spend my life as i grow older.

Sorry about the long post guys, i just wanted to get across how much have loved las vegas since i was a child and even being from england its always been the ONLY place I've seen myself living in.

Thanks, any help on how to go about getting into the country to work would be great! I'm not chasing the american dream, just really passionate about las vegas and the country as a whole.

[om nom nom]

Do you have a college degree that relates to the industry? Some of the Hotel & Casinos do sponsor, but as far as I know they all require related degrees. Also, now might not be a good time, as business has slowed due to changes in the economy and many businesses are having to lay-off staff.

[LouB]

Have a look at this site. The only other advise I would suggest is make sure you have plenty of money to get yourself set up over here.

Pulaski's Ways: How to Live and Work in the USA : British Expat Wiki

[tonrob]

J-1s, while being temporary in nature are relatively easy to come by for trying out working in the hospitality industry in the U.S. in general - of course if you limit yourself to one city then the opportunities become thinner on the ground but should still come up. J-1s for hotel work do not require related degrees (unlike some other visa types but you're not going to be able to get those for entry-level hotel work anyway).

A short-term J-1 stay might be a good way to progress from seeing the city as a visitor to trying out living there for a short while anyway. You'll need to leave at the end but the experience could be a good stepping stone for you.

As for finding prospective sponsor-employers I know that some of the chains have info about opportunities on their websites. e.g. http://www.marriott.com/J1Visa/train/overview.mi (broken link) - have you done a thorough trawl of the casino hotels' websites to see if there's anything?

[LV180]

Thanks for the replys guys, you've been a great help!

I'm thinking of taking on a 3 month course at the International School of Hospitality which is in Las Vegas. I'm particulary interested in events managment and they offer a course which specifys in that. I've been in contact with the college and they are happy to take me on and have provided me with information about jobs both whilst I'm studying and after I have finished the course and if i wish to stay in the country.

I'm looking at other options but feel this is one of the better options for me, becuase it gives me a chance to studin exactly the area of the industry i want to work in, whilst i get the chance to experience actually living in Las Vegas for a period of time.

I'll let you know how i get on, thanks guys!

[dynimagelv]

a degree from there and $1 US will get you a cup of coffee.....

[LV180]

Is it that bad?! Looks like a pretty good school although i suppose that is just the fancy website iv seen.

any other suggestions would be great, I looked into marriot hotels, there isnt many training places on offer at the moment.

[dynimagelv]

unless you have a degree from UNLV or Cornell you've wasted your $$.

Other then those two, experience counts the most.....so you'll have to start at the bottom....

[LV180]

Ok thanks for the heads up

I've been working in the industry for a while now as a waiter and barman working on private functions, such as weddings, conferences etc at a hotel here in the UK so working my way up doesnt bother me, thats what most people have to do anyway in this industry i think

i think my best bet is getting into a training programme with a U.S. hotel chain, just keep working over here getting experience in the industry until a training place comes up that fits

I'll keep on the hunt in the meantime, anything anyone knows of that sounds like a fit for me would be greatly appreciated, and thanks again for all the help so far, this is a great site

[dynimagelv]

If you can get into a hotel training program, youre better off.....next choice is [assuming you can clear the VISA hurdles] get hired with a hotel and take the On the Job training.....90% of hotel management people do that.......