International on H1-B - can I do HF?

Norwegian with F-1 student visa at an ivy. Thinking about getting into HF space, if not IB, with an H1-B. I know about the risk of termination if I get into HF - I'm thinking I'll spend some time with pods and try to get a PnL and I've heard the horror stories. However, I'm curious whether losing a HF job will screw me up while on my H1-B while I apply for new jobs, and worse, while I apply for a green card. If the risk is too great, I think I'll just stick with IB though I feel HF is the place for me.

Thoughts?

14 Comments
 

Ask yourself: What is the likelihood of a HF sponsoring your green card?
Because that is what you need eventually. Don't waste your 2xthree years for no gc, if possible.

 

So you wouldn’t think that I’d have any chance with a HF sponsoring the green card? Do any funds do this at all, or is it not even worth pursuing?

 
Most Helpful

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer here. You can recruit for HFs on an H1B. I think ultimately it's a personal decision. 

Worrying about getting picked in the H1b lottery in the first place caused me more stress than recruiting. Combine that with the volatility of life in a pod... that would make me go crazy. You also only have a 60-day grace period to find something new if you are laid off for whatever reason (and if you aren't in a particular stage in your GC process, you will have to restart the process wherever you go). If you can stomach the potential volatility and stress that comes with it, go for it... I wouldn't have been able to, so I decided to forego pod opportunities/any fund with the potential for high turnover early in my career and wait until I didn't have any visa issues. 

 

In the same boat as you haha, end goal for me is to land a HF seat as soon as possible. Pod or not, stress of fighting on both fronts (visa & markets) is a lot for me given I really wanna be in the US long term 

I've been thinking that the safest way to play it would be to spend as much time as possible on the SS for job security (ER or IB) until I get a comfy position on my h1b, but still prep as much as possible to make a quick shift to a HF (networking, pitches, etc), if an opportunity rises

the MBA option is always there, but i really dont wanna go to grad school cuz I just dont like the environment, especially at biz schools, and dont wanna drop $$$ while im trying to save up and build wealth

last thing I'd say is that I would try to put a lot of effort into dating as much as possible lmao - kinda hit me as well given I dont like going out too much, but you never know the more people you meet, you might meet an american gal/guy you might really like/see a long term relationship with which can open up a marriage based green card backup to balance the stress of getting fired at a HF - but from my experience and hearing anecdotes this is a pretty dangerous way of approaching it, if you meet someone in college they could move to a different city - things get hairy then, even if you meet someone in the city you end up working in as they grow older they get a better job, want to move but you dont wanna give up your HF seat - becomes tricky again, and the good ol he/she might just dump you, lose interest, like any normal relationship and you could feel that burn then as well

 

Yeah man, real. My thought process has been the same exactly - SS until things get more stable if HF during H1B is just too ridiculous. I even thought about the marriage -> gc thing lol, except that's not something that I can rely on.

 

adding on to my previous comment, i just think even with the the sheer stress of getting fired at a HF and the consequences of not being able to find another gig and possibly leaving the US, I just feel if my first h1b visa kicks in with the lottery, I might honestly bite and jump ship to one asap even though I could lose it all - might just be the foolish 20year old in me but if you know this is what you REALLY want (and I think this might be the most critical personal reflection you'll have to undergo), that combo of passion + having your ass on the line because of a damn visa, might push you to become an excellent analyst because you know there ain't no room for mistakes lol 

 

Yep. Lot on the line for me I feel, because Norway isn't really the best place for high finance if I get sent back - but I still have an urge to say fuck it, and do HF anyway. We'll see. 

 

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