How to move to America as a Quantity Surveyor/Cost Manager from the UK (credit)

[mozzer1307]

Hi

I am 22 years old and I am currently 2 years into a part time degree (5 years) in commercial management and quantity surveying, the course is RICS accredited. Once completed there is the possibility to become chartered with the RICS. I am also working for a local firm of Quantity Surveyors here in the UK who are funding my current education.

My girlfriend is American but studying in the UK so its a possibility that i will be trying to move over there with her eventually. Her family lives in Pittsburgh, PA, so anywhere near to there would be ideal, NYC maybe or Pittsburgh itself?

I understand that in America the equivalent to a Quantity Surveyor is a cost manager and it seems that the main route to that is to work for a company like Turner Townsend in the UK and get an internal transfer to one of their offices in the US. However this would be more of a lengthy process as i would have to move jobs here before getting the transfer.

Also i am not sure how easy it is to do this as i cant imagine they are giving that opportunity to any employee?

I have also seen job advertisements through companies like Faithful and Gould for Quantity Surveyors in the US where they will consider UK applicants but require that you are authorized to work in the US for any employer.

I would be looking to move over there at the end of my degree/RICS training (in roughly 4-5 years from now).

Do you have any advice on how i might do this, any tips/information or other companies to look out for?

I also dont have much knowledge about the visa process but i know that it can be expensive and complicated.

I understand that 90% of America havn't even heard of the RICS and thats why im looking at these other options/asking on here. I would really appreciate any help from anyone.

Dave

[katzpaw]

Marry your American girlfriend and don't tell the QS firm that is funding your education that you plan to leave them as soon as you graduate. I know a few UK QS immigrants who now work in construction cost estimating in Canada but generally the QS nut-and-bolt bean counting approach isn't used as much in North America.

[canadian citizen]

Did you notice that your post is in the TORONTO section of the Canadian part of City Data........

Repost it in the American part of the forums, and you will get more answers.

Jim b. In Toronto.