Australian In The House (Milwaukee, Madison: employment, university, move to)

[AussieG]

Hello I have recently moved to Milwaukee Wisconsin from Perth Western Australia and was wondering if anyone knew of companies that were comfortable with the whole work visa sponsorship. I am currently in banking for which I have 12 years experience, so would be looking at anything in that field. Thanks

[Drover]

I posted this in another thread but I'll post it here too in case you don't catch the other thread...

I'm curious... if you're looking for a job in finance, why did you move to Milwaukee? It's not exactly a renowned financial hub of the U.S. If you want to stay in the relative area, you're probably going to have much better luck looking in Chicago, which is one of the nation's major financial hubs. If you get work there, you can still be close to Milwaukee as there's a train that runs from Kenosha and will take you straight to Chicago's financial district. Plus, there are many foreign-owned financial institutions in Chicago so the whole visa thing shouldn't be an issue.

[AussieG]

I moved to Milwaukee because thats where my partner is from. We have a house in South Milwaukee. I was hoping to get Milwaukee but soon realised that Milwaukee is not as you say "the financial hub" of Wisconsin. I am trying to track down some foreign owned financial companies in Chicago - one of them must want to take on an Aussie - any suggestions?
Thanks for the reply.

[Drover]

Oh, Milwaukee probably is the financial hub of Wisconsin (though it's possible that title belongs to Madison) but that's like being the King of the Ant-hill.

Top Ten list of foreign banks with operations in Chicago, in order of American-held assets:

1: ABN-AMRO (dba in the U.S. as LaSalle Bank)
2: Bank of Montreal
3: Bank of Tokyo
4: BNP Paribas (France)
5: International Commercial Bank of China (Taiwan)
6: State Bank of India
7: Banca da Roma
8: UBS (Switzerland)
9: Bank Hapoalim (Israel)
10: Caylon (France)

Numerous large domestic banks have a presence here too, the largest such presence probably being Chase Bank. The fact is the large domestic banks are international operations and probably won't have any hangups about hiring a foreigner whose visa paperwork is in order.

[AussieG]

Thanks for the information. You seem to be up on your bank knowledge? let me guess you are in finance? Please tell me that you are some CEO of a foreign owned company - LOL. Where are you based? And by the way its frustrating being at the top of this ant hill.

[Drover]

Sorry to tell you, I'm not a CEO. I'm not even employed -- I'm a full-time student. I am based in Chicago. The info I supplied is from Crain's Chicago Business magazine.

[AussieG]

Originally Posted by Drover

Sorry to tell you, I'm not a CEO. I'm not even employed -- I'm a full-time student. I am based in Chicago. The info I supplied is from Crain's Chicago Business magazine.

Well nothing wrong with being a student. If I cant find employment than I have to go back to University here in the states. I first have to go back to Australia and apply for my F1 student visa and then re-enter the country. I can study here for approx 3 years and then have to extend it. I cant work whilst here so my poor partner is having to sponsor me. Since 911 the US government has made it very difficult for foreigners to stay in the country and unless you get married there is not many ways. Its frustrating but thats what I have to work with. Have to say though I love Chicago and at least its just down the road from here. Thanks for the info, it should come in handy. Will get in contact with them.

[ihatefonddulac]

Just wanted to say welcome to the U.S. and good luck with the job search!

[AussieG]

Originally Posted by ihatefonddulac

Just wanted to say welcome to the U.S. and good luck with the job search!

Thankyou for the big welcome. Its a bit of a change from the warm weather of Australia, but im slowly getting used to it.

[Drover]

How does one ever get used to -25c if they've never been around it before?