Jobs needed in America??

What sort of qualified people is America short off? If i'm doing a New Zealand univercity qualification and are long term aiming to live in the States (no family connections) what sort of job will make it easiest for me to immigrate?

Whatever you do, don't believe the industry propaganda about shortages of engineers. The so-called engineering shortage is really just a shortage of chumps who will work for far below the prevailing wage. As such the only takers are people from (relatively) impoverished countries like India.

If you really are desparate to get into the US (although why I can only wonder since I've heard new zealand is nice) and if you don't mind working as an indentured servant to a company for several years, the techincal degree + H1B visa path may work for you.

there is no shortages on jobs we are short on military though

Anything in the medical field. A lot of our baby boomers are retiring and also as they get older they are becoming sicker so if you go into the medical field ( Doctor, nurse, radiologist, nursing assistant ) there is always a job opening in every city . However you would have to think about getting a license to practice in the U.S.

there is a big shortage on nurses (RN) and doctors or surgeons.... GOOD LUCK!!!

Tech like programming, Science any field. Health Care, Avaition. It would help you though if you got your qualifications here or figured out how they transfer over because a lot of people have problems with translating their university credits to the States.

Good luck to you.