A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 102,617
You can ask UA for a status challenge and get *A Gold quickly for lounge access. Alternatively, you might to think about doing 19,000*A miles credited to A3 for *Gold and lounge access, including when flying *A domestic.
Longer term, you probably want to focus on SQ FF program so that you can use miles for upgrades, etc.
Be sure to check your new employer's travel policies carefully.