Age, Work Permits, Agencies

I'm trying not to stress about getting a student visa on Thursday, so I'm stressing about planning ahead.     When I graduate with an MBA next year, I will be able to work in Scotland for 2 years without a work permit. 

My plan is to stay in Scotland on a work permit until I qualify for ILR.  When I graduate from uni, I hope to find a job with an employer who will get a work permit for me.  I will be unusually qualified (M.Ed. and MBA), 10 years senior management experience, and yes, an honors undergrad degree.

I am planning on approaching employment agencies while I'm writing my thesis.  An agency would have a good idea of jobs going wanting for qualified people, right?  If an employer has actively searched for an employee in the UK and EU for six months without finding someone qualified, can't he then hire me?

I'm worrying about being over 55 and looking for a job and a work permit.  I was planning on working until 70 in the US.  If I need to work for 5 years on a WP, I would be 61 or 62 when applying for ILR.  Are there any laws that would limit the number of years that I could work in the UK?

Is my plan realistic, or should I play the lottery and get onto Match.com ?

I'm worrying about being over 55 and looking for a job and a work permit.  Is my plan realistic, or should I play the lottery and get onto Match.com ?

This is a very valid worry.  I've found age discrimination to be a very real concept here, even though things are improving.  Many, many people who are British have trouble finding jobs over the age of 55.  My FIL, for example.  As of yet, there is not the stringent age-discrimination legislation and business practices you see in the States.  Things are better in the public sector, so perhaps it might be wise to explore this industry in the course of your studies.  Also, is there a possiblity of running your own business?  This of course means you set your own parametres.

There is a mandatory retirement age here as well. 

But it would be dishonest to say that your concern has no basis in fact.  One of the differences between the US and UK is attitude towards age in the workplace. 

Chris-
Hang in there!  I've been following your progress on this board for the past month or so since I decided that further education is the most logical way to get where we most want to be: the UK.  Don't give up! 

Leigh,

Is the mandatory retirement age the same for both sexes now?  I'm hoping I will be able to work long enough to qualify for ILR. 

Meebs68,

Education is getting me to the UK, but I'll be legal for only 3 years.  I have to find a way to stay there. 

I have noticed that a lot of faculty have no more than a master's degree.  I'll have 2 master's degrees next year.  In addition to looking for a job at a uni, I'll be scoping out programs for higher ed administration with an eye to teaching or doing a PhD.  The public sector, as expat suggested, is a strong possibility.  I'm great at telling people what to do.

Thanks for the encouragement.  I'll find a way.  I have too many people I love there not to!

I'll let you know if I get the student visa late Thursday.  I'm off to NYC tomorrow.  My appt. at the Consulate is Thursday morning.

Leigh,

Is the mandatory retirement age the same for both sexes now?  I'm hoping I will be able to work long enough to qualify for ILR. 

Meebs68,

Education is getting me to the UK, but I'll be legal for only 3 years.  I have to find a way to stay there. 

I have noticed that a lot of faculty have no more than a master's degree.  I'll have 2 master's degrees next year.  In addition to looking for a job at a uni, I'll be scoping out programs for higher ed administration with an eye to teaching or doing a PhD.  The public sector, as expat suggested, is a strong possibility.  I'm great at telling people what to do.

Thanks for the encouragement.  I'll find a way.  I have too many people I love there not to!

I'll let you know if I get the student visa late Thursday.  I'm off to NYC tomorrow.  My appt. at the Consulate is Thursday morning.

It's one age for women, and one for men.

Deffo academia or the public sector are more relaxed in their attitude towards mature employees.  Higher ed admin staff are hired mostly from the inside - i.e, the headmaster or an administrator has generally started as a teacher him/herself and then pursued another degree whilst teaching, etc.  So if you have classroom teaching experience, it's an idea.  The corporate world - there's a lot of age discrimination, let's just say, if you're just entering the realm.  Sorry, but that's the honest truth.  It's something I'm facing myself as a person who will qualify as a solicitor in her 40s, so it's necessary to plan accordingly.