PV Gap

Naomi Said:

US Graduate School?

We Answered:

the question is not which you can apply. it's which will admit you. definitely apply to ALL top schools you are interested. and some "safety" choices.

Angela Said:

renewable engineer for PR?

We Answered:

The definitions for each occupation are detailed on the ANZSCO list of occupations. You will need to go through the ANZSCO and find the engineering specialty that best covers the field in which you wish to specialise. If that ANZSCO code is included on the SOL, the occupation is currently eligible though there is no guarantee that it will still be eligible when you have graduated. Here is the ANZSCO list:
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/…
And the current SOL:
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/_pdf/sol-…

The ANZSCO list isn't particularly difficult to use. You simply need to choose a major group and then drill down through to sub-groups until you get to the lowest level which hopefully contains an occupation description that covers the occupation you have in mind. In your case, I think you would select Major Group 2; then Sub-Major Group 23; then minor groups 233 and perhaps 234. It is also possible to search from the main contents page for keywords.

By the time you graduate and have work experience, the rules may have changed but currently, you must be able to get a positive skills assessment from Engineers Australia for an ANZSCO code that appears on the SOL if you can pass the points test, or the ENSOL if you have employer sponsorship. You are simply not eligible for any visa (even if you have a job and an employer willing to sponsor you) unless your occupation as assessed by EA is listed.

The single exception to that is if you have employer sponsorship for a Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa which requires that you live and work for that employer in a regional area for at least 2 years after being granted your visa. For an RSMS visa, your occupation does not need to appear on any list though you must be fully qualified and must be eligible for registration if required for that occupation.

You should appreciate one very important point that is missed by many people and that is that once you have your assessment and visa, you are completely free to work in an entirely different field if you wish to do so. If, for example, Renewable Energy Engineer is not on the SOL but your degree and subjects studied are also valid for assessment as an XYZ Engineer which IS on the SOL, you can apply for assessment and then a visa as an XYZ Engineer and then work in your preferred field if you can find work in that field. See the EA site for details of what they look for for assessment purposes:
http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/ind…

Claudia Said:

How do I better understand Science?

We Answered:

You're not dumb. Perhaps ignorant, but not dumb and there is nothing wrong with that. You might be in over your head, where you have not yet 'received' or studied the basics of science. It sounds like you don't have a choice right now though, so what I suggest is using online resources as much as possible, and read things through slowly and carefully. When you see an illustration in the text, try to draw it yourself the best you can. As you put the picture together, you might increase your understanding. Keep your computer, and a dictionary, and some scratch paper close by.

Know that in many endeavours, there will be one thing that will challenge you that others will find easy. Maybe you have found your challenge - but I have no doubt that there will be something else, even w/ this subject, that you will find yourself good at.

I'm a licensed private pilot. Everything came easy to me except for that most important of things: Learning to land. That was a huge challenge for me, when it seemed it came easy to others at the time, yet their challenge was learning the study material or some other aspect.

You'll do okay, take your time. Science is fun!