Dreaming of America: An Interview
For Immigrants, Building a Career in America is Harder Than You Think
When I started writing Human Worker a little over a year ago, I didn’t expect so many people to reach out and share their stories. Some told me about their own mental health issues at their jobs. Others agreed with me that we need more compassionate in the workplace. All of them have unique perspectives and want to be seen and heard.
An international student with big dreams
Jahan Taganova contacted me through LinkedIn earlier this year. We spoke about her journey and building a professional career for herself in the United States. Jahan was born and raised in Turkmenistan, a small country in Central Asia, and came to America in 2019 to study as an international student and to pursue her passion for sustainable development.
Jahan obtained her joint Master’s of Science in Water Cooperation and Diplomacy from Oregon State University, UN-mandated University for Peace, and UNESCO’s Institute for Water Education. Today, she works in the social impact sector, helping social entrepreneurs scale their projects.
She’s also a One Young World Peace Ambassador, water diplomat, scholar, sustainability professional, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) advocate. She is passionate about sustainability initiatives that promote peace and works to support water resource management in Central Asia, especially in relation to the region’s relationships with the U.S.
“True empowerment for everyone will require a careful look at systemic processes that often leave talented immigrants behind.”
Yeah, she’s a rockstar! After some busy months, we finally had our chance to talk about her experience transitioning from the status of international student to a full time professional. America has always attracted those who want to develop their knowledge, networks, and help build a better life for themselves. Until I interviewed Jahan, I didn’t realize just how hard it was for international students to stay in the country to pursue their own American dream.
The United States has been the top destination for international migrants since 1970. As of 2019, almost 51 million foreign born people reside here. That’s why we chose to publish this interview today, on International Migrant’s Day.
I’m also delighted to include two beautiful illustrations by the artist Galina Hasanova, also from Turkmenistan. Galina is an international student pursuing a Bachelor's Degree with Illustration Emphasis and minoring in Graphic Design at Southern Utah University.
Thank you both, Jahan and Galina, for your time and contributions to this piece! So, without further ado, let's dive into the interview and talk about what it’s really like to try and make it in America–when you weren’t born here.
Q: Why did you choose to study in the United States?
“As a child, I was told that a U.S. education was for dreamers, and surely, I was the biggest dreamer out there! “
Education opportunities are very limited for women in Turkmenistan, and I knew that being educated in the U.S. would offer me the chance to change my agency as a woman. It would allow me to share my voice and serve the world in a much more impactful way. As a child, I was told that a U.S. education was for dreamers, and surely, I was the biggest dreamer out there!
While requirements for international students in both Europe and Canada seem less stringent, and work permits are a little easier to obtain, the opportunities provided by working in the US are unmatched.
America is a place for dreamers who can work in a culture of increasing diversity and innovation. For myself and many other students in my shoes, it’s the chance to participate in a nation that’s creating meaningful and powerful change globally.
Immigrants make up 20% of startup entrepreneurs and 75% of them came to America as students. Migrants expand the labor force and contribute their entrepreneurial skills to boost economic growth. But beyond that, the retention of international students, like me, increases research, innovation, and other forms of productivity that enhance America's economy. We are not just mere consumers but integral to knowledge generation.
Q: Were you always planning to stay in the U.S. after completing your studies?
Yes, the US allows international students on an F-1 visa to build hands-on experiences, whether through internship, training, or work that complements what they learned on campus. Usually, STEM degree holders are eligible for a three year work authorization through Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT makes studies in the US appealing for international students because we can kick start our professional careers in the US, build our CVs, and gain invaluable experience.
Q: Can you take a job with any employer as part of OPT?
Unfortunately, there are several strict regulations and limitations to this work permit. First, OPT is only for temporary employment. Second, the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) provided under the OPT is valid only for work that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study.
Third, international students are obligated to find a job with an organization that is registered in the e-verify system–a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. Not all employers are registered.
Fourth, the process of obtaining an OPT is daunting. For instance, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) permits international students to apply for an OPT up to 90 days before the completion of their degree and no later than 60 days after completing their program.
Finally, there are limits to the number of days you can be unemployed. During your 12-month OPT period, international students are only allowed a cumulative total of 90 days of unemployment. If they exceed this, they’re in violation of their F-1 status and are expected to leave the U.S., transfer to another school, or change their visa status before the 90th day. It all sounds burdensome for international students, doesn’t it?
Q: Work visas like O-1A, EB-1, and EB-2 are often called “Einstein Visas” and require a foreigner to show extraordinary abilities. How realistic is it for international students to secure this type of visa?
The expectations may seem realistic on paper, but it’s really hard to attain without the right level of guidance! To qualify for an “Einstein Visa,” international students need to produce published content like research papers, policy briefs, presentations at conferences, or participate in various art competitions in order to meet the criteria under these “talent visas.”
International students, especially those coming from underdeveloped and developing countries, are known for being hard working and resilient. But many brilliant and skilled international students either don’t know about these visa requirements or don’t have time to pursue publication on top of their studies, internship, and/or on-campus work.
Q: You told me how the U.S. government uses rhetoric about empowerment and encourages people to come to the US for a better life. Do the words match reality?
Studying in the US allowed me the opportunity to dream outside of marriage, motherhood, and caregiving, and use my gifts to make this world a better place. Empowerment for everyone is most definitely an American ideal. For that, I am eternally grateful. However, upon graduation, I soon discovered that I’m facing increasing challenges due to my new-found identity–an immigrant living in the US.
“Studying in the US allowed me the opportunity to dream outside of marriage, motherhood, and caregiving, and use my gifts to make this world a better place.”
From work permit sponsorships to diplomatic visas, many of my fellow international students, especially those coming from the Global South, are left behind simply because they cannot fulfill the requirements necessary to stay, work, and share their skills in the US workforce.
Employers and the U.S. miss out on valuable workers that can make their country (and the world!) a better place, all because of how difficult it is to navigate the red tape. I believe the intentions of the US government are good, but true empowerment for everyone will require a careful look at systemic processes that often leave talented international students behind.
Q: How does being a woman add to these struggles?
As a woman from the Global South, I had to overcome several challenges at the workplace. First, I felt like I needed to not only prove myself in terms of productivity and the quality of my work, but I also needed to adjust and acclimate to cultural norms that many of my European and American counterparts understand naturally.
It’s an emotional barrier to learn the right body language and the right way to interact. Even though the US workplace is so diverse, many organizations do not invest in intercultural communication training. Therefore, immigrants bear the burden of assimilation to local ways of living and relating, instead of being met half-way.
Another struggle that I faced as an immigrant woman is negotiating a salary! This is a completely foreign concept to me. So, it should not come as a surprise that many immigrants, like myself, find it culturally inappropriate to advocate for a better salary. Instead, we settle for significantly less money than we should be making. We end up earning 25-40% less than our native-born colleagues, and it takes many years to achieve income parity.
Q: Do some employers take advantage of immigrants looking for work?
Yes, the current system allows employers to take advantage of their employees, whether intentionally or not. Immigrant workers have the tendency to try harder to justify their employer's investment in their work visa sponsorship. The employer sees the increased productivity and decides that they can increase the requirements they have of the employee. The employee responds by upping their effort again, entering a cycle of burnout for fear of losing their roles.
In addition, foreign-born workers may be subject to "unconscious bias"–that is, they aren't viewed as highly skilled even if they have years of experience. For example, a lack of fluency in the English language is mistaken — usually on a subconscious level — for a lack of skills. A recent Harvard Business Review study, for instance, revealed that “native speakers were, on average, 16% more likely to be recommended” for managerial roles.
As a result, we frequently watch our non-immigrant peers get promotions or raises before us. That’s why my advice to immigrants is to communicate with your employer and learn to advocate for yourself.
Q: Can you share a story of an employer who took advantage of your visa status?
“Even though it was my qualifications that made me the best candidate for the job, I was made to feel like, as an international student and woman of color, I should be grateful for this opportunity.”
Once, I had a boss that would bring up how he made a special effort to sign my OPT paperwork. I was expected to demonstrate compliance and loyalty by working overtime and obeying his work orders without question. I didn’t realize that he wasn’t really doing me a favor.
Even though it was my qualifications that made me the best candidate for the job, I was made to feel like, as an international student, first generation professional, and woman of color, I should be grateful for this opportunity. It took me quite some time to shift my perspective.
Many international students from the Global South come from cultures encouraging a strong work ethic; this means we are resilient, hardworking, adaptive, and loyal. Consequently, I had resigned to the idea that I “won” a jackpot and, therefore, must comply with all requests, work around the clock, and never raise my voice even if my feelings were hurt.
I worked long hours and weekends for months, pushing through the physical, mental, and emotional pain. I was fed the idea that, since I was an immigrant and didn’t have the privilege of being born in this country, I deserve the mounting pressure I was experiencing.
Q: You call yourself a woman from the Global South, what does that mean for you as a job seeker, but also personally?
I’m full of the same passion to succeed and to make our world a better place as any other individual. However, because of the country I was born into, I have to overcome additional hurdles economically, educationally, and culturally to have my voice heard and make a difference in this world.
“I am not a weaker employee, or a submissive woman because of where I come from.”
I am not a weaker employee, or a submissive woman because of where I come from. I am notably stronger than many of my counterparts born into progressive democratic countries because of the struggles I was forced to overcome.
While being from Turkmenistan comes with its fair share of unique challenges, I will always say I am proud of who I am. I am devoted to making our world a better place because of the challenges I have personally experienced.
Q: Most companies don’t account for immigrants in their DE&I strategies. How can we be more inclusive of people on work visas?
The mandatory e-verify registration for employers works against any efforts to recruit diverse talent. International students are frequently, and unjustly, denied internship or employment opportunities.
It seems daunting to e-verify as a company but employers should perceive it not as a burden but as an opportunity to revamp their company’s hiring compliance culture, develop long-term recruitment efforts, and rejuvenate their diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.
Compared to work visa sponsorship, e-verify registration is free of charge and takes about 40 minutes to complete. Nonprofit organizations in particular need to understand that international students’ unique experiences and innate strengths make them worthwhile candidates. They should learn from their private-sector counterparts and become more intentional about their hiring practices, looking beyond bureaucratic hurdles.
Q. What advice do you have for international students trying to secure a work visa after graduation?
My biggest piece of advice would be for international students to talk to an immigration lawyer to determine which talent visa category they might be eligible for. Work to understand the list of requirements to qualify for the talent visa.
Find time during your studies to add to your “talent visa piggy bank” with publications, conference speeches, certifications, etc. Don’t wait until you’re about to graduate to build your reputation and portfolio. It is very daunting and taxing, but with dedication, passion, and discipline, it's achievable.
Also, be cognizant that networking remains the critical currency for getting a job in the US labor market. Networks truly can be transformative door-openers for everyone, so start building these connections early on.
Q. What recommendations do you have for companies in regards to hiring international students and sponsoring their work visas?
My number one recommendation would be for employers and institutions alike to acknowledge the challenges that immigrants are facing - not simply from a paperwork and visa standpoint, but from a cultural and emotional perspective. Oftentimes, immigrants can’t participate in unpaid internships, accept an unlivable wage, or fulfill cultural obligations.
This does not mean these workers are not as desirable or valuable as those who were born in the US. Rather, it means gentle guidance and training, as well as collecting feedback from immigrants about their work and study experiences, can go a long way in ensuring practices and policies are fair, equitable, inclusive, and accessible.
Thanks for bringing in these personal stories for the readers. They shed light on personal ordeals that are often hidden behind kafkaesque bureaucracy. I second the recommendations that companies should acknowledge the challenges that immigrants are facing. I think it is important to follow the letters of the law but sometime we need to look at the spirit of the law as well.
Your post and conversation Adam McKeown's book "Melancholy Order: Asian Migration and the Globalization of Borders" (http://cup.columbia.edu/book/melancholy-order/9780231140775). Even though it was not about U.S immigration, the book talks a lot about how border control and identity documentation have both personal and global dimensions.
Here's the opening paragraph of the book -- one of the best explanation I have read that connects the personal with the institutional:
"The modern passport is a palpable manifestation of an idealized global theme main sources moder identity: the individual and the state. It specifies a unique individual within a matrix of standardized physical categories, and it guarantees that identification with the marks and seals of a recognized nation state. It embodies both the most private and the most bureaucratically alienating of identities, being an object of intense personal attachment even as it is a tool of global regulation and standardization. The photograph, accumulated visas, seals, and amendments further enrich it as a token of personal history even as they entrench the bearer more deeply within the files and machinery of state surveillance.
The modern passport is addressed to a global audience; other documents can establish the link between nation and individual for domestic purposes. The passport announces to other states that the issuing state will take responsibility for the identified individual. To cross international borders without such a document (in the absence of special agreements to the contrary) makes one "illegal," "irregular," or a stateless person who must depend on the mercy of others. The efficacy of the document depends on recognition of the issuing entity as part of an interlocked order of nation states. The ability to generate standardized forms of identity is, in turn, an important part of obtaining this recognition. Although the passport claims merely to be official recognition of a preexisting individuality, the act of documentation itself makes nations and individuals into realities."
Thanks again!