Work Permit Renewal Not here yet...

Hi fellow DAP community,

I posted here back in February regarding my worries about my work permit not arriving on time. It did not come in March so it expired. I was able to keep my job because one of my DACA letters technically says my DACA expires on June 25th. My jobs accepted that while I wait. However, I feel they won't be able to keep me once that date comes in. And my permit is still not yet here (submitted on December 29th).

I am not despairing. I feel that it is a blessing I do not have loans to pay back, just the car payment and insurance. I have saved money and will continue to work as many hours as it is healthily possible until the 25th. Already filed Ombudman request and they said USCIS has been contacted about the issue. Also, to top it off, I am on a final order of deportation, so I feel that USCIS could serve me my letter to pack my bags and go home (which, honestly, at this rate, I could care less. I just turned 29 and I do not want to turn 30 and still have to deal with this monkey business).

I guess what this is boiling down to is that I have accepted my situation as it is and I don't care about losing my job either way. As I look at the professions out there, I am not bound to work for a corporate office ever. Sitting on a chair and working in front of a computer is death to me. I also don't see myself in other sectors except environmental science. Since I did not really know what I wanted back when I was in school, I have awakened to my true values and I really do want to make a positive impact in the world. I don't care about money. Just give me a roof to live under and food and I will happily work.

I guess my question is... is it too late to go into environmental science? I think I already know what to do and I guess I am just venting and hoping to find people who can comment on my ramblings and maybe help me see things in a different way or get ideas. Anyway, thank you for reading and best of luck to everyone!

Juan

Have you considered setting up an infopass appointment and trying your luck at getting a work permit extension that way?

https://infopass.uscis.gov/

As for switching careers, it depends. Are you single and have no dependents (e.g. aging parents, younger siblings)? If so you can afford to make a switch although its unclear what you mean by environmental science. Do you mean activism? A specific 'hard' science involved in environmental science? Or-?

environmental science... means what? is that a actual major?

Thank you all for your reply. I am single, no dependents. I am interested in the field in terms of helping people live in a healthy environment. I really get upset when I see people living in terrible environmental conditions due to pollution. I would like to see how I can get involved for people to have access to sustainable housing in a clean environment.

Actually, my dream is to live in a tiny house. I don't have many possessions. I went through a purge last fall and decided that I really do not crave for the latest car or gadgets. I am more than happy with the little I have.

My dream house looks something like this:



So maybe I should go into sustainable housing? I really love the idea of living in a house that can live off grid with its own solar panels and water supply. Any one out there in this field?

http://www.environmentalscience.org/careers



Aerospace Engineer
Analytical Chemist
Anthropologist
Archaeologist
Astronomer
Biochemist
Bioinformatics Specialist
Biostatistician
Climatologist
Ecologist
Entomologist
Environmental Biologist
Environmental Biotechnology
Environmental Chemist
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Geologist
Environmental Psychologist
Environmental Toxicologist
Environmental Writer
Epidemiologist
Forensic Scientist
Geneticist
Geographer
Geographic Information Systems Specialist
Herpetologist
Hydrologist
Ichthyologist
Immunologist
Lab Technician
Mammalogist
Marine Biologist
Metallurgist
Meteorologist
Microbiologist
Mineralogist
Mining Engineer
Molecular Biologist
Oceanographer
Ornithologist
Paleontologist
Physicist
Primatologist
Remote Sensing Specialist
Seismologist
Volcanologist
Wildlife Biologist
Zoologist

I say do it

Does anyone know if it is possible to collect unemployment for those who have been fired or terminated due to an expired work permit?

That depens on the state

Update: After submitting application for renewal since end of December, it has finally been approved as of yesterday, June 25th.

Letting go of this really has helped me see life differently. Things work out for me if I only accept things as they are and let go. I have no control over what is happening in the external world, and only true freedom can be found inside me.

Best of luck to everyone on this amazing journey!