Need advice for my current employment

[hanabie]

Hello there,

I graduated since Dec 2011. I got this job and have been working full time since June 2011. It's almost a year.
This is a small company. I have been working as an R&D Engineer mainly focused on reverse engineering. It is very difficult for me to get jobs in United States due to my non-resident status.
I got several interviews and they later found out that they could not hire me due to my non-resident status.
Anyway, I really need some advice. The company does not offer me a good compensation which I never mind because I want to get some experience.
Problem is, I have been teaching myself all this time. My employer really has no clue when I tried to explain why the competitor designs that way.
I try to bring my engineering ethics to this company by not copying exactly what others have. I try to provide a solid calculation to support the design. In the same time, I also tried to consult my design with some professional consultants. The result was not that great. I have finished two projects so far. I also tried to upgrade myself such as getting certified EIT and Solidworks Professional.

The only good thing from this employer is that he can provide me any training to get the jobs done. However, I still feel very depressed and not confident over my work.

I really need some good advice. I have been thinking of giving up this job and moving back to my country in Asia. The salary is probably only $500/month, but the opportunity to learn is unlimited. I also have been thinking of going back to States after 10-12 years due to my immigration application. It does take that long to get approved. I have been thinking of sharing my experience to young engineers someday. That is my dream. At this moment, I think I should move on. I hope that I do not make any reckless decision.

I need a good advice here.

Thank you and I really appreciate your time

 

[KENAT]

What is your current immigration status, H1B or what?

Posting guidelines faq731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

(probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​

 

[TheTick]

My dad was denied entrance to the US three times. When he got a Ph.D., the doors opened wide.

 

[hanabie]

@kenat : yeah I got my h1b approved. I doubt my employer would pay me prevailing wage.
$25/hr is too much for him. I will probably get half If I'm lucky.

I'm really lost now. I need the right door and the right opportunity out there.

 

[DST148]

@hanabie - I presume you are already in States and working on H1-B visa. The H1-B approval needs labor certification and the salary has to be comparable to prevailing wages for similar experience and background.
Your current employer is willing to pay for any training to get the jobs done. You also have completed two projects in one year. That's not bad to start with. In my opinion, it is better to stay here at least for the duration of your work permit, get as much training and experience you can, try to develop contacts and network which would help you even if you eventually decide to go back to Asia. Who knows you might hit upon something better during your stay here. Also it would provide you with an opportunity to get acquainted with the social system here and if you are comfortable with it. This would also help you in deciding if immigration is worth the wait.
For young graduates - training, guidance, and opportunity to work on good projects is far more important than salary.

 

[hanabie]

thank you so much @DST148. That is a very good advice.

I will work harder. I guess I have complained too much.