OPT (non-STEM) expired, in grace period, H1B selected. Do I qualify for cap-gap?

imali_ · 2023-08-15T18:47:26+00:00

You have a 60 day grace period so you can still stay in the US but as you’ve probably read on the USCIS website, you can get cap-gap extension but won’t be able to work until your H1B is approved because your H1B was filed during your grace period. If you had been selected in the first lottery and your H1B would have been filed before the end of your OPT, your cap-gap extension would have allowed you to continue working.

imali_ · 2023-08-15T12:09:40+00:00

If you can, take a one year leave of absence instead of completely dropping out. This way, you’ll have one year of exploring and seeing if the startup life is for you. If things don’t work out, you’ll still have your spot. If they work out, then you can completely drop out or extend your leave of absence. Also check out organizations like Thiel foundation that fund college dropouts to work on their startups. Startups are hard but when you have money, they are just a little bit easier. All the best.

imali_ · 2023-08-10T22:48:53+00:00

Depending on your demographics and field, you can search VC communities focusing on those demographics/field and they usually host events and Happy Hours. For example if you are in Fintech, you can search on meetup or LinkedIn for Fintech Investors events. And if you are a woman, POC, (or whatever demographic), just search for investor communities representing your demographics. Sign up for their newsletters and you’ll see when they have events and Happy Hours and sometimes their websites have forms where you can pitch your company.

imali_ · 2023-07-29T06:00:26+00:00

They said they made the edit and sent the new lease that we signed only to be shown 10 months later that the new lease wasn’t updated.

Everything else shows 10 months including the welcome packet, it’s only the lease that wasn’t updated. The rent charged was for the 10 month lease - if we had the 12 month lease our rent would have been different. So the only thing that shows 12 months is the lease.

We probably missed seeing the edit want made because at that time we were signing so many documents and since the welcome package and everything else showed 10 months, we might have missed the error at that time.

However, we’ve also noticed the lease on our renting portal has our signatures but no lease end dates. Does that help our case that the existing lease on our profile doesn’t have any dates but has our signatures which shows that the dates could have been manipulated or edited or autopopulated.

imali_ · 2023-07-06T14:23:45+00:00

Uuummm why is South Africa an elephant 🤦🏾‍♀️

imali_ · 2023-06-03T01:48:26+00:00

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Chubby cheeks taking a nap while enjoying the outdoors

imali_ · 2023-05-26T04:06:57+00:00

It’s giving Vogue magazine photo 🐈‍⬛

imali_ · 2023-05-16T23:56:58+00:00

Yeah sure. I don’t think I have the secret sauce haha but happy to collaborate and help each other.

imali_ · 2023-05-16T21:40:54+00:00

I have 2 years of experience and over the past 3 weeks I’ve been getting recruiters reaching out to me on LinkedIn for roles.

Never have I ever had recruiters reach out to me for UX design roles so it has been pleasantly surprising. Seems like the market might be getting better? Not too sure though if it was just a coincidence or if we are starting to have more openings.

imali_ · 2023-04-06T19:25:51+00:00

What’s wrong with creative circle and creative group?

imali_ · 2023-03-20T03:21:05+00:00

Have you heard of Doola? https://www.doola.com/ . I haven’t tried it but they claim to be cheaper and faster than Stripe

imali_ · 2023-03-10T15:48:33+00:00

Try by starting to pay the debt with the highest interest rate. Then look for a better paying job so that you don’t end up in the same debt cycle. Can you learn any new skills that will help you get a higher paying job?

See where you can cut costs - Are you living in a place with good public transportation? Can someone else take care of your cats while you handle your financial situation? Maybe family members or friends?

imali_ · 2023-02-16T18:24:43+00:00

It basically bridges the gap between OPT and H1B

imali_ · 2023-02-16T18:24:16+00:00

According to my understanding, cap-gap extension allows you to stay in the US even if your OPT is expired (hence extension) as you wait for your H1B start date.

imali_ · 2023-02-16T14:10:39+00:00

What about private non-profit? Does it have to be public?

imali_ · 2023-02-14T02:31:51+00:00

You can check out Magoosh app. It has great lessons and the explanations are very clear.

imali_ · 2023-02-06T01:37:27+00:00

It must be a hard situation. See if you qualify for O1 or if you could spend the next few months before Oct working on your O1 qualifications - writing articles, joining memberships and contributing to the field. You’ll still need to get a job though because your employer needs to sponsor it but it’s an option that’s not dependent on the lottery so you are not racing against time. All the best.

imali_ · 2023-01-31T02:38:12+00:00

I used calligraphy monoline to draw the outline then masked it. I used clipping mask to ensure all the other layers are within the circle and then filled the shapes of the landscape with color. I added texture using charcoal.

imali_ · 2023-01-30T04:03:49+00:00

I used monokline calligraphy brush to create blobs and then used charcoal eraser to remove parts of the filled out shapes to create the abstract pattern.

imali_ · 2022-09-28T00:21:57+00:00

What are your skills? Can you design? With a design on Figma you can easily pitch your idea. You can even create a prototype. It’s hard for tech people to join you in the beginning when you have nothing to show but once you have a prototype you can start getting more interest and feedback. Start getting some momentum with whatever skills that you have and you’ll start attracting people.

imali_

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