I want to immigrate to THE U.S.A people tell me not to?

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Mark R

I'm a Canadian citizen that made the move to the US (for a variety of reasons) several years ago and I'm glad I did. I have learned a lot since I've lived here and I think that, on the whole, the US offers a more diverse range of opportunities than Canada does. While the economy has gone south at the moment, it will get better. As for whether it will be better by 2010 or 2011 or whatever, no one knows. We're not psychics.

One thing you should be aware of is that, as a psychologist, you may qualify for a NAFTA work visa. With your diploma, provincial license and job offer letter in hand, you can apply for this NAFTA work visa (also called a TN visa) right at the border and, if approved, they are issued on the spot. They are valid for up to one year and can be renewed indefinitely. The visa costs $50. I would look into this, especially if you're only planning on staying down here for a few years (as opposed to a more permanent move). Check out this website for more information: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1274.html

As for NC, PA and OH these are very different places, with PA and OH being typical "rust belt" states with older cities, cold weather (similar to that of Toronto) and significant job losses in the manufacturing sector. NC is warmer, particularly in the summer where temperatures are consistently in the 30s C, and is "southern" in its feel. You may find the cities in all of these states to be less diverse than what you're used to in Toronto.

VodkaTonic

Wow, perhaps you should brush up on spelling and grammar for English. Usually there are standards, even for clinical psychologists to be able to write well.

Personally, I would say that you can take advice from people and weigh each factor on why you should or should not move, but ultimately the decision is yours. If you do what others tell you all of the time, you will be miserable.

Go ahead and move if that's what you'd like to do to broaden your horizons (and make more money). Just have a plan and stay within your budget when you're starting out. I think you'll like the climate of Ohio...but NC may be a little hot and humid for you.

Natti Rockr

I can tell you right now that in Canada, you make more money than a clinical psychologist here in the U.S.

Right now 1 Canadian dollar = 0.983961 U.S. dollars. Its not a huge difference, but our economy has been seriously weakened as of lately. There's a lot of factors and reasoning why, its only going to continue to get worse for a while, but it will turn around. All in all, not that big of a change from Toronto probably.

I'm not sure what certifications or qualifications you'll need to practice psychology here in the U.S. (because, I'm not a psychologist)... but I do know that generally to see patients you would need a masters degree. The job market though, for healthcare, is very good right now. You could find work in a hospital, at a college or university counseling students, with a city government working in a social welfare capacity, or perhaps open up your own practice, or even teach psychology to psych students.

Frankly though, I don't think psychologists make all that much money in the U.S. Perhaps like 37 to 50k/year.

As for where you might go, North Carolina is a growing state -especially in the Raleigh area (they call it the tech triangle). Ohio is a fun state, its known as quintessentially 'Midwest'... people are really friendly, and thereâ€™s a good mix of landscape everywhere. I'm not a fan of Pennsylvania - its too sparse and generally boring.

I've been to Canada a few times... it didn't seem or feel all that different from the U.S. to me.

harry k

The average salary for a clinical psychologist in Raleigh, NC is about $95K. That INCLUDES medical insurance, so don't get frightened away by the misinformed Canadian naysayers that you have to pay for you own healthcare in the US (87% of the US population has health insurance).

See the following link for more detialed info:
http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layoutscripts/swzl_salaryresults.asp?hdKeyword=clinical%20psychologist&rdbSearchByOption=0&hdOmniNarrowDesc=Healthcare%20--%20Practitioners&hdZipCode=27511&hdStateMetro=141&jobcounter=2&hdSortBy=0&hdJobCode=HC07000012&pagefrom=selectjob&hdJobCategory=HC03&hdGeoLocation=Cary,%20NC%2027511&countertype=1&hdOmniTotalJobsFound=34&hdLocationOption=0&hdViewAllRecords=0&hdJobTitle=Clinical%20Pharmacist&hdAjaxDisplaySection1=0&hdAjaxDisplaySection2=1&op=salswz_psr&txtKeyword=clinical%20psychologist&redbird=http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layoutscripts/swzl_salaryresults.asp?op=salswz_psr&hdOmniNarrowDesc=Healthcare%20--%20Practitioners&hdOmniTotalJobsFound=34&pagefrom=selectjob&hdZipCode=27511&geometrocode=141&hdLocationOption=0&countertype=1&jobcounter=2&hdJobCode=HC07000012&hdJobTitle=Clinical%20Pharmacist&hdJobCategory=HC03&hdNarrowDesc=Healthcare%20--%20Practitioners&hdJSBoolDisplayAdvertisement=true&totaljoblistnum=2&hdAjaxKeyword=clinical%20psychologist&hdAjaxKeywordWithOR=#clinical#%20OR%20#psychologist#&hdSearchByOption=0&hdCurrentPage=1&hdNarrowDesc=Healthcare%20--%20Practitioners

With that being said, you just can't come down to the US and work as a psychologist. Each state has it's own certification requirements. You may have to go back to school to get your cert, you will have to pass an exam. Also, you will need a work VISA. While it's easier for a Canadian to get the proper paperwork than say a Brit, you still need to be sponsored by an employer.

thinkingtime

Good luck with all the decisions.

NikkiMâ™¥BTB 08/29/09â™¥

If you're looking for a bigger job market, start looking out west: alberta and BC, it's not just oil that has a boom out there. I would recommend that since the US economy is crashing at an alarming pace.

Irish Sean

I'm in Cleveland, OH, only about 4.5 hours from Toronto. The weather is comparable and we're located on Lake Erie which provides the opportunity for boating/fishing.
With all of the jobs moving out of the area I'm sure there would be a need for a psychologist.
I know I could use a good one.

Caroline J

What's your name? I want to make sure I never accidentally consult with you.

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