I recently got a job at a decent company. The company looks quite stable and if I wish I can continue to work for several years without any problem.

I had initial plan to only work for 1 year or may be extend my OPT to work more if I would feel worthwhile. Afterthat go for the Phd school. But the question is that it is really worth to go that route?

I can apply for H1B then green card and after I have green card then go for Phd. In that way I can take part time classes as I work full time. I know this is possible in OPT status too.

What do you guys do if you were at my position? Work more and go for green card or go the Phd degree.

I have just finished my bachelor degree and currently working. By the way how long will it take to get green via this route.

Thanks for your advise guys.

 

Via bachelor's degree, it would probably take you 7 to 8 yrs for GC. If you wanna go for a faculty position after Ph.D. then go for a Ph.D. But if you wanna work for company after Ph.D., they will priorotize your work experience rather than your qualification. So Work and study is a better option. This is the important issue you have to consider, before taking steps. I was in your shoes a year ago, after thinking for a while i choose the second option, thinking that i can just quite job and go for Ph.D. whenever i want (i.e. you have more options for future).

I know its not a simple thing, and these decisions will change your life by 180, i took mine a year ago; now itss your turn. Good Luck.

how can u go for phd when u said u recently finished ur bachelors????
.anyways
if i was in ur situation i will work for at least 1 and half yrs, make a decent money to support myself for my further studies.also u shud consider urself lucky finding a decent job in this tight job market. btw what bachelors degree do u have and which state(only if u dont mind)

poon-hill, thanks for your advise. r u sure it takes 7-8yrs to get GC with bachelors degree.

houston-kancho : yes it is possible to get admitted to phd right after bachelors. most advanced degree have first two years of master course and after that you take your qualifying exam. If you pass that, you become a phd candidate and you can continue your research from your masters helping you to get your MS/Phd in little bit shorter time. i graduated with chemistry degree.

yes, the people that i know processing for their GC under bachelors quota is very slow. That's why i am trying to file it under masters quota which i think will tale 2 to 3 yrs maximum.

poon hill, so r u studying or working right now? Or r u doing both at the same time? Can you study part time if you are in work visa?

I am doing both, working and doing Ph.D. It is a bit tricky though. You don't have to get a I-20 since it will be confliciting to your H-1B. So i have no  I-20 but i am admitted in the Civil Engineering department. Hope it helps.

 

how are you managing the funding?

How many years will it take you to complete PHD?

Well i cut a deal with a prof.. prof pays my tuition but no assiatantship, but i will work under her supervision so that she could have her name in my published paper. Research area is related to my work (kinda) and i've put my supervisor of office as one of the committe member, so hopefully (finger crossed) i will be done within 3 to 4 yrs. Plus i have to do only bout 6 courses, most got transferred from Masters.