Time off after graduating?

[SClENCE]

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So I know that I do not have to start paying federal loans until 6 months after graduating, but what about my internship/job offers? I intern for a retail company who has offered me a job, but I want to go to Europe for a couple of months after gradating before I start.

I met a girl who was doing work/study here, we spent a lot of time together over the course of a month before she had to leave, and we've been in a long distance relationship for almost 2 years now, but she is unable to obtain a tourist visa to the USA. I was only able to visit her twice in the last year because of school. The way I see it, my only option is to visit her for a few months after I graduate and propose. I know with this company, I will never be able to get the vacation time to visit her. Maybe one week out of the year once I start working.

I realize that this is a tough and strange situation to be in.

 

[Modest_anteater]

So I know that I do not have to start paying federal loans until 6 months after graduating, but what about my internship/job offers? I intern for a retail company who has offered me a job, but I want to go to Europe for a couple of months after gradating before I start.

I met a girl who was doing work/study here, we spent a lot of time together over the course of a month before she had to leave, and we've been in a long distance relationship for almost 2 years now, but she is unable to obtain a tourist visa to the USA. I was only able to visit her twice in the last year because of school. The way I see it, my only option is to visit her for a few months after I graduate and propose. I know with this company, I will never be able to get the vacation time to visit her. Maybe one week out of the year once I start working.

I realize that this is a tough and strange situation to be in.

So I know that I do not have to start paying federal loans until 6 months after graduating, but what about my internship/job offers? I intern for a retail company who has offered me a job, but I want to go to Europe for a couple of months after gradating before I start.

I met a girl who was doing work/study here, we spent a lot of time together over the course of a month before she had to leave, and we've been in a long distance relationship for almost 2 years now, but she is unable to obtain a tourist visa to the USA. I was only able to visit her twice in the last year because of school. The way I see it, my only option is to visit her for a few months after I graduate and propose. I know with this company, I will never be able to get the vacation time to visit her. Maybe one week out of the year once I start working.

I realize that this is a tough and strange situation to be in.

I heard in Cali you don't need to take the NAPLX. So if I fail the NAPLX i can just take the Cali. state test and practice there?

 

[Dr Wario]

So I know that I do not have to start paying federal loans until 6 months after graduating, but what about my internship/job offers? I intern for a retail company who has offered me a job, but I want to go to Europe for a couple of months after gradating before I start.

I met a girl who was doing work/study here, we spent a lot of time together over the course of a month before she had to leave, and we've been in a long distance relationship for almost 2 years now, but she is unable to obtain a tourist visa to the USA. I was only able to visit her twice in the last year because of school. The way I see it, my only option is to visit her for a few months after I graduate and propose. I know with this company, I will never be able to get the vacation time to visit her. Maybe one week out of the year once I start working.

I realize that this is a tough and strange situation to be in.

Probably not worth delaying your career for months/year just so you can get some action, remember all the openings will be filled up by hungry new grads, why would they wait for you?

 

[Jbrl]

I personally don't know of anyone who deferred retail start date for a couple months after grad, but even if it's not the norm, exceptions can always be made depending on your personal relationships with the higher ups. Have you discussed this possibility with anyone? Your DM won't rescind your job offer if you ask in the right way. Worst case, it's a hard no.

Would you regret making the prudent choice to start working and not see this girl for those 2 months? Just scoping out your recent posts, it seems so.

I'd think even further than this. Given you know you won't be given more than 1 week of vacation per year at this company, and she won't be able to come to the U.S. (why can't she get a tourist visa?), what's the plan after you go there and tie the knot? Bring her over to the States?

There's plenty of ways this could go right and could go wrong - with your job, with you, with her, or with you both. Make a decision tree and plan.

 

[gwarm01]

It isn't as simple as getting married and bringing them over. Be sure to fully understand the process before making such a drastic decision.

 

[lord999]

If you're not federal government, I do know of people who took some time off between NAPLEX and starting work with their retail and hospital companies, even some in the last year who did so without a problem. If you are going into a federal government, PM as a detail of your plan happens to be problematic, but only for the federal government.

You will need to ask for a "delayed start" if you are Walgreens, I am pretty sure that CVS has a similar policy from a couple of management stories. This is unpaid leave, not paid vacation though, and for Walgreens, it's up to the Regional VP level on a yes or not vote.

 

[BenJammin]

This is a disaster waiting to happen. You'll wither come back unemployed until January/February or you'll find another career.

This is the working adult version of "I want to take a year off from school and find myself".

 

[jblil]

OP - what European country is your gf from? Most countries in Western Europe are in the "visa waiver program" and their citizens do not need a visa to come to the US for a visit (90-day maximum stay, though).

 

[lord999]

This is a disaster waiting to happen. You'll wither come back unemployed until January/February or you'll find another career.

This is the working adult version of "I want to take a year off from school and find myself".

I would say that this is the one of the few times to catch up on life that I don't otherwise have dependencies on structural factors and I lost time to school. That said, @BenJammin is completely right about the possible cost in terms of both immediate employment and possibly permanently damaging a career that you have not even started yet. You'll have the weigh the options, but it is not career suicide nor is it completely out there. I would not consider it irresponsible, but as this board keeps on hammering on, the labor market for pharmacists is bad and getting worse over time.

And this is from someone who took a paid sabbatical after a really rough midcareer year once (they even paid my living expenses!). Working for the Fed has its moments, but there are serious benefits if you're willing to put in the time.

Frequently Asked Questions : Senior Executive Service : Executive Development - OPM.gov

 

[Pharmd = Phake Doctor]

Am I the only one who read OP's post and thought "Greencard Gold Digger".

 

[lord999]

OP - what European country is your gf from? Most countries in Western Europe are in the "visa waiver program" and their citizens do not need a visa to come to the US for a visit (90-day maximum stay, though).

Assuming that the gf is qualified by origin country, CBP may be arbitrary about saying no after coming in on a work visa in the past. She would probably want a visa in that circumstance for insurance or if she is not a permanent citizen/subject of the corresponding European nation. I'm sure they did the research.

On the other hand, my wild guess if she is European on a work study is that she is from one of the Central or Eastern European countries (Poland, Latvia, or Estonia in particular) that have a fairly strong English program and exports labor especially in the hospitality industry. God help you if you are marrying Russian which is a special headache.

Am I the only one who read OP's post and thought "Greencard Gold Digger".

You're not the only one, but having experience with separating employees for those reasons, I learned a long time ago that it's futile if the American is actually in love. It's nice that we live in a country where it is usual that we can fall in love for nonsurvival reasons (this excludes all of Asia inclusive of Japan and SK). That was part of what I was going to bring up in the PM, it's somewhat complicated when getting a federal job if your spouse is a nonsettled foreign national. It's doable, but there's a lot of disclosure (including a literal marriage interview conducted by HR that goes into deeply personal territory) and other headaches which need to be dealt with openly if you are doing that.

Four Ways Your Spouse Can Screw Up Your Security Clearance

But, let's hope for the best. There's enough grief in this world, and we do have the freedom to pursue happiness even if others know it doesn't end that way usually.

 

[Pharmd = Phake Doctor]

You're not the only one, but having experience with separating employees for those reasons, I learned a long time ago that it's futile if the American is actually in love. It's nice that we live in a country where it is usual that we can fall in love for nonsurvival reasons (this excludes all of Asia inclusive of Japan and SK). That was part of what I was going to bring up in the PM, it's somewhat complicated when getting a federal job if your spouse is a nonsettled foreign national. It's doable, but there's a lot of disclosure (including a literal marriage interview conducted by HR that goes into deeply personal territory) and other headaches which need to be dealt with openly if you are doing that.

Four Ways Your Spouse Can Screw Up Your Security Clearance

But, let's hope for the best. There's enough grief in this world, and we do have the freedom to pursue happiness even if others know it doesn't end that way usually.

Is OP trying to get a fed job?

 

[CetiAlphaFive]

Assuming that the gf is qualified by origin country, CBP may be arbitrary about saying no after coming in on a work visa in the past. She would probably want a visa in that circumstance for insurance or if she is not a permanent citizen/subject of the corresponding European nation. I'm sure they did the research.

On the other hand, my wild guess if she is European on a work study is that she is from one of the Central or Eastern European countries (Poland, Latvia, or Estonia in particular) that have a fairly strong English program and exports labor especially in the hospitality industry. God help you if you are marrying Russian which is a special headache.



You're not the only one, but having experience with separating employees for those reasons, I learned a long time ago that it's futile if the American is actually in love. It's nice that we live in a country where it is usual that we can fall in love for nonsurvival reasons (this excludes all of Asia inclusive of Japan and SK). That was part of what I was going to bring up in the PM, it's somewhat complicated when getting a federal job if your spouse is a nonsettled foreign national. It's doable, but there's a lot of disclosure (including a literal marriage interview conducted by HR that goes into deeply personal territory) and other headaches which need to be dealt with openly if you are doing that.

Four Ways Your Spouse Can Screw Up Your Security Clearance

But, let's hope for the best. There's enough grief in this world, and we do have the freedom to pursue happiness even if others know it doesn't end that way usually.

Actually, USCIS isn't that hard on those countries (Russia & Com Bloc) anymore.

China and all of the brown Asian countries get the most scrutiny

 

[owlegrad]

OP doesn't seem to be asking if it is wise, so perhaps we can lay off letting him know that we think it isn't.

It is probably possible, depending on what kind of time frame you are looking at. Intern offer letters include the time frame you have to be licensed by in order to stay employed (at least they do at the big chains, which you said this is) and I wouldn't suggest delaying getting your license since you will lose a lot of knowledge if you take months off after graduating and don't stay in pharmacy, but you can get licensed and then ask your employed for a leave of absence. They aren't required to approve it but at the same time it isn't unheard of for people to take time off and if you are a good employee they are likely to approve it.

Depending on where you are traveling perhaps you could even reciprocate your license and work while you visit your beau? I have no idea how practical that is, just a thought.

 

[Thankyou2017]

I heard in Cali you don't need to take the NAPLX. So if I fail the NAPLX i can just take the Cali. state test and practice there?

Sorry my friend, whoever told you so must prove it. I am pharmacist in California, we must pass both Naplex exam and State law exam. If we fail Naplex, we have no state license.

 

[Son_Goku]

So I know that I do not have to start paying federal loans until 6 months after graduating, but what about my internship/job offers? I intern for a retail company who has offered me a job, but I want to go to Europe for a couple of months after gradating before I start.

I met a girl who was doing work/study here, we spent a lot of time together over the course of a month before she had to leave, and we've been in a long distance relationship for almost 2 years now, but she is unable to obtain a tourist visa to the USA. I was only able to visit her twice in the last year because of school. The way I see it, my only option is to visit her for a few months after I graduate and propose. I know with this company, I will never be able to get the vacation time to visit her. Maybe one week out of the year once I start working.

I realize that this is a tough and strange situation to be in.

If you want the job, and accept the position, you will have 90 days (more or less) to get licensed for them.

Once you are licensed and are fully employed by them, whatever "free time" you want will have to be discussed with them.

 

[SClENCE]

Assuming that the gf is qualified by origin country, CBP may be arbitrary about saying no after coming in on a work visa in the past. She would probably want a visa in that circumstance for insurance or if she is not a permanent citizen/subject of the corresponding European nation. I'm sure they did the research.

On the other hand, my wild guess if she is European on a work study is that she is from one of the Central or Eastern European countries (Poland, Latvia, or Estonia in particular) that have a fairly strong English program and exports labor especially in the hospitality industry. God help you if you are marrying Russian which is a special headache.



You're not the only one, but having experience with separating employees for those reasons, I learned a long time ago that it's futile if the American is actually in love. It's nice that we live in a country where it is usual that we can fall in love for nonsurvival reasons (this excludes all of Asia inclusive of Japan and SK). That was part of what I was going to bring up in the PM, it's somewhat complicated when getting a federal job if your spouse is a nonsettled foreign national. It's doable, but there's a lot of disclosure (including a literal marriage interview conducted by HR that goes into deeply personal territory) and other headaches which need to be dealt with openly if you are doing that.

Four Ways Your Spouse Can Screw Up Your Security Clearance

But, let's hope for the best. There's enough grief in this world, and we do have the freedom to pursue happiness even if others know it doesn't end that way usually.

She's actually Ukrainian. There's no question their economy is terrible, but to say that she would marry for "survival reasons" is also not accurate in this case (though it no doubt is in many cases). She actually has a good job there (relatively speaking) and has enough in savings to live for 2-3 years without working, while supporting her sister who is in medical school. I'm the ultimate skeptic but I don't question her intentions.

 

[SClENCE]

This is a disaster waiting to happen. You'll wither come back unemployed until January/February or you'll find another career.

This is the working adult version of "I want to take a year off from school and find myself".

Your post is accurate, there's no denying that lol.

 

[Amicable Angora]

So I know that I do not have to start paying federal loans until 6 months after graduating, but what about my internship/job offers? I intern for a retail company who has offered me a job, but I want to go to Europe for a couple of months after gradating before I start.

I met a girl who was doing work/study here, we spent a lot of time together over the course of a month before she had to leave, and we've been in a long distance relationship for almost 2 years now, but she is unable to obtain a tourist visa to the USA. I was only able to visit her twice in the last year because of school. The way I see it, my only option is to visit her for a few months after I graduate and propose. I know with this company, I will never be able to get the vacation time to visit her. Maybe one week out of the year once I start working.

I realize that this is a tough and strange situation to be in.

I have several friends who went on "marriage trips" after graduation. If you change your mindset from going "for a couple of months," to going for 2-3 weeks or 1 month (ideally) you might be able to make it work. So for example, let's say you finish rotations late April, and you negotiate a full time position at your retail company. If you tell them you are able to start June, you will have about 1 month to go visit. Once you get to 2+ months your chances of succeeding drop drastically.

 

[BidingMyTime]

It isn't as simple as getting married and bringing them over. Be sure to fully understand the process before making such a drastic decision.

This. There are lots of people who've been married *years* who haven't been able to bring their spouses over. Are you prepared to have an extremely long-distance relationship for years?

 

[CetiAlphaFive]

So I know that I do not have to start paying federal loans until 6 months after graduating, but what about my internship/job offers? I intern for a retail company who has offered me a job, but I want to go to Europe for a couple of months after gradating before I start.

I met a girl who was doing work/study here, we spent a lot of time together over the course of a month before she had to leave, and we've been in a long distance relationship for almost 2 years now, but she is unable to obtain a tourist visa to the USA. I was only able to visit her twice in the last year because of school. The way I see it, my only option is to visit her for a few months after I graduate and propose. I know with this company, I will never be able to get the vacation time to visit her. Maybe one week out of the year once I start working.

I realize that this is a tough and strange situation to be in.

Ok, I finally read your OP.

It's a major red flag that a former J1 can't get a tourist visa after a couple years.

Either she's lying to you about having applied for one, or she did something to piss off USCIS

 

[ornithoptor]

Most of the responds here are taking the rather conservative approach. Many have expressed on job and timeline.
If I may offer another prospective. If you don’t take such a trip now, when do you think you will ever be able to take this kind of time off again until you are retired. Based on most of the replies here, it would not be possible to take 6 months between jobs either, since that cause concerns for future employer as well.
I graduated over ten years and I truly wish I have done something like you mentioned. That is not to say not to worry about jobs either, simply find the right balance and not to miss out on life. Good luck.


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[steveysmith54]

why visit her for "few months"? If you wanna marry her, just get it done in 2-3 days and fly back to the US and start filling those prescriptions.

 

[PharmBulldog]

If you are flexible geographically after coming back you will find opportunities. And 6 months is nothing, if you told a recruiter why you took it off they would definitely understand. The recruiter only cares if they have an opening and if your skills meet that need. However I would get licensed in any state before leaving on your vacation.

Go for it! You’re only young once

 

[PharmBulldog]

^That’s my opinion on the time off after graduation side. Whether to get married or not etc that’s not my business, and not for me to judge

 

[Maromei]

Quite a few of my friends purposely delayed sending in their green letter (I regret not doing the same) in order to keep their grad intern status for an extra 1-2 weeks to get time off from their pharmacy managers. Once licensed, the district schedulers take over and they're A LOT less flexible. A couple months off seems a little excessive though and might not get approved IMO.

 

[quickpic007]

So I know that I do not have to start paying federal loans until 6 months after graduating, but what about my internship/job offers? I intern for a retail company who has offered me a job, but I want to go to Europe for a couple of months after gradating before I start.

I met a girl who was doing work/study here, we spent a lot of time together over the course of a month before she had to leave, and we've been in a long distance relationship for almost 2 years now, but she is unable to obtain a tourist visa to the USA. I was only able to visit her twice in the last year because of school. The way I see it, my only option is to visit her for a few months after I graduate and propose. I know with this company, I will never be able to get the vacation time to visit her. Maybe one week out of the year once I start working.

I realize that this is a tough and strange situation to be in.

You should go to Europe it will be fun! Once you start the grind it will be tuff to go on such long vacations.

 

[Maromei]

I heard in Cali you don't need to take the NAPLX. So if I fail the NAPLX i can just take the Cali. state test and practice there?

Are you confusing Naplex with MPJE? California pharmacists need to pass Naplex AND CPJE but not MPJE (since CPJE is the California version of MPJE).

 

[DrVader]

So I know that I do not have to start paying federal loans until 6 months after graduating, but what about my internship/job offers? I intern for a retail company who has offered me a job, but I want to go to Europe for a couple of months after gradating before I start.

I met a girl who was doing work/study here, we spent a lot of time together over the course of a month before she had to leave, and we've been in a long distance relationship for almost 2 years now, but she is unable to obtain a tourist visa to the USA. I was only able to visit her twice in the last year because of school. The way I see it, my only option is to visit her for a few months after I graduate and propose. I know with this company, I will never be able to get the vacation time to visit her. Maybe one week out of the year once I start working.

I realize that this is a tough and strange situation to be in.

You are snatching defeat feom the jaws of victory. You are in a cut throat industry, there are 10 hungry and in debt graduates behind you who will start from day 1. Not only could this cost you your job but it retail chains are looking for people who are going to put the company first over there own lives.

 

[lord999]

Ok, I finally read your OP.

It's a major red flag that a former J1 can't get a tourist visa after a couple years.

Either she's lying to you about having applied for one, or she did something to piss off USCIS

Actually, USCIS isn't that hard on those countries (Russia & Com Bloc) anymore.

China and all of the brown Asian countries get the most scrutiny

No, that's USCIS for you. They are not easy on anyone unless they are WHTI, British, SK, or Icelandic (not even the Swedish) due to security treaty arrangements and longstanding military ties. I've been working with them on immigration matters related to veterans for quite a while on a contingent basis (soldiers with a genuine Honorable Discharge, no criminal behavior suspected or convicted, reasonable people) and it takes them ages to do it right and not without someone being arbitrary about it. The annoying part is that we (DoD DMDC and VA HEC) clearly filed and signed the paperwork sent to Homeland Security, but it keeps getting lost or otherwise processed incorrectly by DHS. I've personally carried files handcuffed to myself from VA Headquarters and taken the Metro to L'Enfant Plaza on a couple of these cases as we want to make sure that they don't do anything stupid (this is pretty rich coming from VA who routinely loses enrollment and benefits paperwork). I fully expect the CBP to do something stupid, but a lot of the decisions for admission into the US, there is no real penalty for saying no, but there are major risks and penalties for saying yes indiscriminately.

Brown Asian? You mean Filipino? Actually, they have a fairly straightforward pathway for spouses though they automatically get the Stokes interview. We imported some of our pharmacists and IT professionals that way. (Which, I'm glad my wife is a citizen, we comically failed a demonstration of the Stokes interview in front of my CO colleagues, because we both have terrible memories and neither of us emote properly that we even know each other much less married. I'd joked that I'd be "repatriated" to a country that I've never set foot in if that was for real. The CBP officer was not amused.)

Best of luck either way, OP.

 

[wucool33]

This. There are lots of people who've been married *years* who haven't been able to bring their spouses over. Are you prepared to have an extremely long-distance relationship for years?

That’s why you don’t apply for a marriage visa, but a fiancé visa. The process is actually pretty straightforward and only takes a few months.

OP I think this is your best option. Once her visa is approved, you two are required to get married in 3 months from the moment she lands in the US. If you guys decide not to get married after the time limit, then she would simply go back to her country, no strings attached.
This way you don’t have to pick her over your job.

 

[pharm B]

TIL more about immigration hiccups than I expected...

 

[CetiAlphaFive]

No, that's USCIS for you. They are not easy on anyone unless they are WHTI, British, SK, or Icelandic (not even the Swedish) due to security treaty arrangements and longstanding military ties. I've been working with them on immigration matters related to veterans for quite a while on a contingent basis (soldiers with a genuine Honorable Discharge, no criminal behavior suspected or convicted, reasonable people) and it takes them ages to do it right and not without someone being arbitrary about it. The annoying part is that we (DoD DMDC and VA HEC) clearly filed and signed the paperwork sent to Homeland Security, but it keeps getting lost or otherwise processed incorrectly by DHS. I've personally carried files handcuffed to myself from VA Headquarters and taken the Metro to L'Enfant Plaza on a couple of these cases as we want to make sure that they don't do anything stupid (this is pretty rich coming from VA who routinely loses enrollment and benefits paperwork). I fully expect the CBP to do something stupid, but a lot of the decisions for admission into the US, there is no real penalty for saying no, but there are major risks and penalties for saying yes indiscriminately.

Brown Asian? You mean Filipino? Actually, they have a fairly straightforward pathway for spouses though they automatically get the Stokes interview. We imported some of our pharmacists and IT professionals that way. (Which, I'm glad my wife is a citizen, we comically failed a demonstration of the Stokes interview in front of my CO colleagues, because we both have terrible memories and neither of us emote properly that we even know each other much less married. I'd joked that I'd be "repatriated" to a country that I've never set foot in if that was for real. The CBP officer was not amused.)

Best of luck either way, OP.

That's very interesting.
I wonder if they treat .gov/.mil applicants differently.

Granted, I'm basing my opinions off of my own experience dealing with them while applying for a K1, and a multitude of posts on a forum for civilians dealing with USCIS.

The civilian side of USCIS seemed professional and competent to me.
I was able to complete the K1 paperwork fairly easily, and their help desk line was pretty good.

 

[Modest_anteater]

Are you confusing Naplex with MPJE? California pharmacists need to pass Naplex AND CPJE but not MPJE (since CPJE is the California version of MPJE).

I may be confusing NAPLEX with PCAT for California. Every one of the 50 states requires the NAPLEX