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In Good Form
Navigating the U.S. Visa and Immigration Process
In Good Form
Navigating the U.S. Visa and Immigration Process
Speakers: Suzanne Seltzer and Kate Kalmykov (Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP)Presented by the Science AlliancePosted April 22, 2009 Overview
Thousands of graduate students and postdocs come from around the world to work in U.S. laboratories. Once in the country, many hope to remain to continue advancing their careers. On April 8, 2009, Suzanne Seltzer and Kate Kalmykov, lawyers from the immigration and nationality law firm Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP, presented a webinar for Science Alliance members who need guidance on obtaining the proper visa for a short-term stay or a "green card" enabling them to live and work in the U.S. in perpetuity.
Seltzer and Kalmykov covered the concerns surrounding the most common visas issued to foreign researchers, including H-1B quotas, options for people subjected to the two-year home country residence requirement, and the factors considered in awarding O-series visas. They also covered the different options for those wishing to establish permanent residence in the United States.
Use the media tab above to find slides and audio from this event.
Meeting ReportThousands of graduate students and postdocs come from around the world to work in U.S. laboratories. Once in the country, many hope to remain to continue advancing their careers. Often, the main obstacle to doing so is the difficulty of obtaining the proper visa for a short-term stay or a "green card" enabling them to live and work in the U.S. in perpetuity.
On April 8, 2009, Suzanne Seltzer and Kate Kalmykov, lawyers from the immigration and nationality law firm Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP, presented a webinar for Science Alliance members who need guidance on these matters. Seltzer and Kalmykov covered the concerns surrounding the most common visas issued to foreign researchers, including H-1B quotas, options for people subjected to the two-year home country residence requirement, and the factors considered in awarding O-series visas. They also covered the different options for those wishing to establish permanent residence in the United States.
Immigration is a complex process that can take years to resolve. Having a plan and staying on top of the situation may be the best way to successfully navigate through the maze of forms and rules.
See the KRSS Web site for more information about common situations related to immigration and nationalization.
Seltzer and Kalmykov's presentation follows. Visit the Science Alliance homepage for more career development resources, and to find out about other upcoming webinars.
Meeting Report
You need more space for your new laboratory equipment. Your department chair wants to save an open lab for a new hire. This is just one of the real problems presented at a Science Alliance meeting on the art of negotiation held on May 7, 2009 and simultaneously broadcast as a webinar. Paul Cramer, a negotiation and mediation specialist at Accenture and his brother Stephen Cramer, a professor at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and UC, Davis shared their experiences and used interactive exercises to teach participants how to get the best outcome from any situation where the parties involved have different interests.
Paul Cramer emphasized the difference between interests and positions, the latter being a rigid stance that may not necessarily reflect the real needs of the position holder. He also stressed the importance of BATNA, the best alternative to a negotiated agreement. Without a plan B, a negotiator is not in the position to walk away from the table and may have to accept a deal that is unfavorable. Stephen Cramer discussed the particular challenges that arise for scientists working at a university, who need to maintain collegial relationships over many years and can’t easily walk away from their jobs and obtain a new position.
Negotiation is a skill that takes practice. The seven-element strategy presented by the Cramers provides a clear framework that anyone can use as they encounter negotiations, large or small. Click on the Media tab above to view their full presentation. Please also visit the Science Alliance homepage for more career development resources, and to find out about other upcoming webinars.
Meeting Report
Although science is often portrayed in the media as a cold, strictly rational endeavor, scientists know that developing relationships and communicating effectively through seminars, poster presentations, and networking at conferences is vital to their careers. Yet, the art of communication is often neglected in scientific training. To give students and postdocs some tips for getting the most out of professional meetings, the Science Alliance asked Michael Zigmond from the University of Pittsburgh and Colin Purrington of Swarthmore College to present a webinar on this topic on May 2, 2009.
Zigmond is an associate director of the Survival Skills and Ethics program, which focuses on the human and organizational dimensions of career advancement. In his presentation he gave candid advice on how to navigate tricky areas, such as how to approach a senior scientist for networking purposes, preparing for "small talk," and deciphering "American-speak," where certain phrases should not be taken literally.
Purrington has a more specific interest in improving the quality of scientific posters, which, he says, have become "too stiff and too boring." Among other things, he advocates designing posters around graphics, and adding less common elements, such as sound or objects that give 3D-life to the poster.
Please click on the Media tab above to see the complete slides and audio from this event. You can also find Zigmond's handout on professional meetings on the Web, as well as Purrington's advice on poster presentations. Please also visit the Science Alliance homepage for more career development resources, and to find out about other upcoming webinars.
SpeakersSuzanne B. Seltzer
web site
Suzanne B. Seltzer heads the New York office of Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP. She is well known for her representation of universities, hospitals, and research institutions and their medical and research personnel in obtaining extraordinary ability and national interest waiver immigrant petitions, O-1 nonimmigrant visas, and waivers of the two-year home country residence requirement. Suzanne also was given the Cornerstone Award by the Lawyers Alliance for New York in recognition of her outstanding contributions to pro bono work on behalf of victims of human trafficking.
Kate Kalmykov
web site
Kate Kalmykov, an associate in the KRSS New York City office, focuses her practice on business immigration. Kate has extensive experience working with various human resources departments on employment verification and worksite enforcement matters including I-9 and H-1B audits. Kate has handled numerous family and naturalization based matters and has successfully resolved security name check delays for adjustment of status and naturalization applicants through the filing of mandamus actions in federal district court. Kate received her JD from the American University and is admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey. A member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Kate is a member of the Corporate Practice and CLE committees of its New York Chapter.
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