The connection between Ireland and the USA is strong. And this is reflected in the number of opportunities Irish passport holders have to experience life in the States.
J1, camp, grad, trainee or intern... USIT has 5 ways to make it in America.
A-stars and stripes
There’s a reason why the USA is the number one destination for USIT travellers. (Doughnuts, definitely the doughnuts). In your twenties, every summer can be spent working at camp – or on a J1 if you’re a student. And then after college, there’s the option to work for a year on a Grad USA visa – or longer on a Trainee USA visa if you're not a graduate. Like the coffee refills, the opportunities are endless. And working in America is a slam dunk for getting ahead in your studies or career, earning good money, and having the time of your life doing it.
Need to know before you go
Where to go
Big hitters like San Diego, NYC, Chicago, Boston, LA and San Francisco are popular places to live and work – especially when it comes to J1 summer jobs and grads looking for professional job openings on their Grad USA visa. But the good news is, whether you do summer camp, J1 or any of our professional internship programs – all America visas give you at least a 30-day grace period to travel around the States either before or after your job. Often both!
What it pays
What you earn in the USA depends on the program and your experience. As a first-timer at summer camp, you’ll earn one of the highest salaries – USD $2,000 with meals and accommodation included. For J1, the hourly rate differs per state, but out J1 summer employers usually pay between USD $10-18/hour - often with discounted staff accommodation and tips. For our professional internship programs, there is uncapped earning potential.
When to go
In line with Ireland’s summer holidays (albeit with a lot more sun), Summer Camp USA and J1 run between Jun-Sep. But Irish passport holders get the best of both worlds, with our Grad USA, Internship USA and Trainee USA programs operating year-round (within the visa window and rules). Giving you the chance to experience fairytale winters and russet autumns in the Fall – as well as much-needed all-American summers on the beach.
Get hired or get the intel
Meet Camp Directors face-to-face, connect with others heading to camp, and (fingers crossed) get hired on the day. To register your interest, apply for Summer Camp USA and let us know which city you'd like to attend. We can't wait to see your face, but don't worry if you can't make an in-person event - the quickest way to get hired is in our hiring pool.
Final year student or recent grad? Put your academic skill to work, learn from leaders in your field, and get a CV that stands out from the crowd with USIT's 1-year Grad USA program. Get all the intel from our team on what visa you need, what cities you can work in, and what roles you can do. But sign up soon - you only have 12 months from your grad cert date to enter the USA!
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