I need to know how to go about becoming a permanent resident. There are several catches though. I would not be willing to marry someone simply to get a green card. I'm simply not like that. Also, I'd look for work when I GOT here, so having a company sponsor me for a green card wouldn't work either. I'm not in any particular rush right now, but I would like to know what options are open to me.

If you are graduating, you have the option of a one year "training" period, which a lot of people treat as a time to look for a job. If you do find a job with a good company, and you do good work, and your supervisor likes you, he can help you apply for a green card. The current law is something like "... must demonstrate that he is the only qualified one" before they can hire you or something like that (never did quite understood it myself), so it helps if you have a terminal degree in your
field.

Green Card Questions:

Green Card Info - how legal will it be for me to stay after my visa expires?
Green Card Information - Green card Holder married to Student?
Green Card In USA - I understand I can apply for a green card, but what about my girlfriend?
Green Card Labor Certificate?
New Green Card Labor Certification Procedures from April?
Agreement legal or illegal and effect on green card?
Employment/experience verification letter, green card?
Good Green Card lawyer in California?
Green card marriage interview question?
Green Card Marriage Interview - Is it necessary to bring an attorney with me to the interview?
Green Card Marriages - What are out best options to be living in the same continent hassle free as soon as possible?
Green Card Movie
Green Card Name Change - What are the steps I need to perform first prior to applying for the name change?
Green Card Naturalization - If I quit my present job, would it affect my naturalization ?
How to Cancel support on green card?
Green Card Number - Where can I go to find out what the number might be?
Green Card Petition wait time?
Priority Date & Green Card?
Green Card priority date if parent is US citizen?
PLEASE HELP! Green Card Questions
Help for H1 transfer and Green Card Questions?
Reinstating Green Card Residency?
Green Card Resident - what date can I apply for naturalization?
Green Card Diversity Lottery Results?
please help, green card/visa problem?
Green Card Rules - Are long term spouse based Green Cards exempt from these rules?
Green Cards - All Green Cards Must be Replaced?
Sample green card applications?
Green Card SPONSOR residency requirements?
Green card sponsorship in the US?
Green Card - Spouse Visitor - Sponsor?
Green Card Stages - What is the process?
Green Card Status - Should I apply for a new, dated green card?
Steps for getting green card?
Carry your green card?
Would my Green Card expenses be tax deductible?
Simultaneous Green Card through Employment and Marriage?
Green Card Through Marriage - what visa(s) do i need to enter on?
Green Card Through Marriage To A Us Citizen
Green Card renewal/Citizenship?
Can I travel to European countries, Hongkong, or Taiwan with green card and my Chinese passport?
US Migration Question PR Green Card Visa?
Please Help: Green Card/Visa for Businessman?
SSN/ Driver's license, Green card wait, advice please!?
Green Card Winners - does anybody know when then winners of last year's lottery will be notified?
Status : Green Card, Work permit for Spouse?
H1B->Green Card, BUT keep working rights?
H1B to Green Card under EB2 category
Oppurtunity for New H1B visa Sponsorship?
H1B Visa - Green Card?