I was inspired to write this post when I saw a comment asking me if it was possible to get a 'white collar' job in the USA with African qualifications. My knowledge on the job market may be limited to what I have read and heard and I therefore inquire blog readers to give more information if possible.
From what I know, it would be extremely difficult to get a professional job here without being educated here. You know, North Americans( USA, Canada) have this impression that they have the best school system in the world, and any qualification from anywhere else, much more Africa, does not meet their standards. The only situations I know of, where people got professional jobs without schooling here is when they have extensive experience in their field, and they really are on top of their game. Also I find that specialists in the IT field find it easier to find jobs in the USA even though they still encounter immigration setbacks
I have realized that if you really want to make it in the US, you definitely have to acquire some sort of qualification from here. And even with that, you really don't want to do a course that would make you compete with Americans(Hello Liberal arts). The job market here is very competitive, and Americans would definitely be favored over an international student who needs the company to file a Visa in order to work.
I have found that the sectors which have less Americans competing in are the careers that fall under the STEM(Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) category. These sectors have been overtaken by Asians, especially Indians. Find out more about the STEM here. I have a friend who just completed her masters in Mathematical Statistics, and she is now working as a data scientist. She now earns more than $100, 000 per annum
Also for most African immigrant there is a lot of pressure to go into Nursing. Nursing pays well over here, and you are assured of employment after graduation, so it is a good option for many Africans to consider. Nursing is not a bad career, but I find that most people get into it without having any passion for the job. They easily get bored along the line and some even wait 2 or 3 years just to qualify into nursing school. I believe that there are equally good and better courses out there, that would ensure that you have a successful life over here, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to really research on the type of career you want to go into and the opportunities available.
That said, if you have a strong inclination to go into a particular field, you should very well follow your heart, but you must be aware of the opportunities or lack thereof that comes with whatever you want to do.
Well written dear! Averagely do Nurses earn up to 100,000 bucks per annum too? 100,000 dollars plenty oh my sis! Its well
ReplyDeleteBy the time you pay taxes,rent daycare if you have a baby( can be more than $1,000 a month) etc you may not have anything left at the end of the year
DeleteNice expository,garnered some knowledge,please could you always cross check your writeups over and over again? Its coming from a pure heart kk,I love your writing too much,and I dnt want any typos. *Winks*
ReplyDeleteThanks. Sometimes I am in a hurry to post. I know typos can be very annoying to read
DeleteMy thoughts exactly...
ReplyDeleteYou hit the "head on the nail". Very well written!
ReplyDeleteLoving you... Kiss kiss! How do I come to ur blog directly without going to WC first to click ur name... Need ur blog address, can't find u on google
ReplyDeletePatsy
Hi Patsy, for some reason, Google does not pick up my site. I think it may be from my setting and I am still trying to figure it out. My address is www.lifeofanafricanimmigrant.blogspot.com.
DeleteThanks
@ Anon 6:04, seeing that you do not want any typos, can you also do us a favour by spacing out your words when you write?
ReplyDeleteI do believe there ought to be a dash of space after every comma- perhaps you ought to learn how to punctuate properly, no?
#justsaying#
Coming from a pure heart dear. Just, if you're gonna correct someone else, perhaps you should make certain you're yourself faultless.
#bbhugsmiley
I am not yet a writer kk, at d moment am a blog visitor addict and I enjoy good blogs,like dis and am happy she tk the bold step,love women like her cos they inspire me. I know how some blog trolls wd bash her when d typos becomes regular,so its better she takes cognisance of that now so it wnt be an issue that's y I pointed it out cos she wrote alum for annum. And as for you dnt worry kk,I am a blog visitor and I am permitted to make typos,so you park well and take several seats in the gutter,imagine ur overbloated ego,soooo repulsive hmmphhh!!! I love u blog owner mwah!!!
DeleteU guys shldnt come abeg, let me settle down here alittle
ReplyDeletePatsy
U guys shldnt come abeg, let me settle down here alittle
ReplyDeletePatsy
Can someone with a visiting visa work as a nanny or other menial jobs and how much do they earn per hour?
ReplyDeleteYou CANNOT work with a visiting Visa. You would need a Social Security Number to work and most employers now use e-verify to determine the authenticity of the SSN.
DeleteI don't know how much nannies earn but I know the minimum wage is around $8 per hour
Avoid Nanny work, remember Louise Woodward from England.
DeleteI have 2yrs multiple visa to us,am going for hustling,how do I get the e-security stuff for work with my visiting visa
DeleteHow can one go about the e verify thingy thanks
DeleteHi Shade & Anon, from what I know Social Security Numbers used to be 'manufactured' by some people for a fee. But after the economic meltdown things really changed and e-verify was introduced. That means that you cannot use a fake SSN because the employer would definitely verify the number electronically.
DeleteI have heard of cases where some African shop owners would employ you without a SSN. All the best!
A lot of people work in the U.S with foreign degrees. The Naysayers are mostly those who listened to either a friend, Spouse, relative or someone who didn't make much of an attempt to look for a good Job once they got to the U.S. Because of that, such people try to discourage others by saying certain academic credentials aren't good enough. Not so. Remember that whatever position you are employed for, you will continuously receive in - house training. So, don't let anyone deter you after all, there is no harm in trying.
ReplyDeleteLike I said the information given in this post is limited to what I have read, seen and heard. I didn't know that a lot of people were working with foreign degrees in the US. So do they come here on a visitors Visa and seek employment? Or do they apply from their home country? I just would like to get more information about this from you. Thanks
DeleteDon't be dense nobody can work with visiting visa. If you arrive america with an African degree you can get it evaluated to be able to apply for said white collar jobs. Go to Google and find out firms that evaluate foreign degrees. Of course it has to be the original complete with grades courses and all
DeleteWhen you say Nursing, always remember that it is a profession with many levels. Auxiliary, Care, Registered, Paediatricians, etc. A lot of Africans unfortunately are in the Care aspect of nursing but would not tell the truth. As long as these people are making an honest living and are pleased with it though, then that is fine.
ReplyDeleteLike I said I don't have any problem with Nursing. My only issue is that a lot of Africans are told that they can't make it without Nursing when in actual fact they are equally good or better courses to study.I believe that it is always good to explore your options
DeleteI think You misunderstood me. Explore what you really want to do not what society dictates.
DeleteSome, especially women from Africa join their Spouses in the U.S. In a lot of cases, the spouse might be recently divorced from a Marriage of convenience, paying child support in cases where the first marriage involved having children, yes this does happen -sometimes a beggar has no choice- The new wife might have a much higher education than her husband but might be naive about the system in her new country of abode altogether. Some of these husband might feel slightly threatened that once his new wife becomes aware, she might dump him, especially if she has a higher salary band or starts mingling with society. So, to prevent this, some men will discourage their new wives by telling tall tales about what's out there in terms of employment. The wife who is oblivious and trusting might just settle for what he dictates or whatever guidelines he gives. When the children start rolling in, that is it. This is one reason why there are many very well educated women from Africa in the U.S who are doing jobs they have no business going near to begin with, misguided info. I am sure some of you would agree but if you are not aware, I throw it out there.
ReplyDeleteThings are complex for someone who is attached because a great job offer/career move might be out of state. Unless both parties are willing to compromise, then such an offer becomes a missed opportunity.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLearnt a lot from the write-up and comments.
Please continue to be you, no icing on the cake.
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