Prospective migrant...
Hello there,
Greetings to all! I just posted in the introduction forum, but some quick background about me...
I'm 24 years old living in the USA. I'm looking to move to NZ within the next year or two. I've never traveled there, but have been infatuated with NZ since I was a kid. Not sure why - just happened that way.
Lots of questions, like everyone else...
To anyone in an IT related field... I have an A+, N+, and CCNA certification, with (by the time I leave) 3-4 years in IT related experience. I would like to get a networking position in NZ, but will only have ~1 year in the field by the time I leave, which I worry won't qualify me for the handful of jobs I've found on NZ job sites. Two questions pertaining to that:
1) Are my certifications & experience enough to land a decent job in NZ? In networking?
2) I do NOT have a degree (in progress, online, will finish in spring 2010), and even when I finish it, it's Business-Information Systems (business degree, emphasis on IT), so it will not qualify me for the 50 points for the SMC point system. Will my certifications? If not, are there any Certs I could get that WOULD qualify me? Or any Certs that might provide better job opportunities?
Any thoughts to unique challenges that accompany moving to NZ on my own? It's possible I could find Ms. Right who is willing to travel half way across the world with me, but I've not been willing to settle down... including a move 2000 miles away near San Francisco for 1 year back in 2006/2007. I knew exactly 0 people within 1000 miles of me when I made that move, but my family was still only a 4 hr flight away. The thought of moving half-way across the world seems a bit daunting!
A lot of information is available on the myriad sites NZ govt has set up, many of which are posted here on this site. Are there any good books anyone can recommend on making the move? I am the type that would really appreciate having the text in my hands.
I hope to talk to many of you soon! (and maybe someday stroll into your cafe's!!)
Warm regards, and many thanks,
Scott
|