Abstract
Perspectives surrounding the barriers and enablers of immigrant career experiences and outcomes have been a long time coming. Discussions on these are more crucial than ever before, considering the multitudinous numbers of immigrants spread out globally today, as compared to 20-30 years ago. Several global case studies and divergent examples, drawn from true life trajectories are showcased, to shed pertinent insights into this discourse. Concurrently, the chapter aims to substantiate the barriers immigrants face, hence deterring their career success, due to reasons that include illegal immigration status, criminal offenses, cultural and language barriers, mental illness, poorly orchestrated plans, discrimination, diversity and homophilic concerns, among others. Conversely, enablers immigrants face leading to successful careers include education, networks, government policies, appropriate immigration status, family support, and support agencies, among others. Knowledge of these should enhance empowered future decision making and an elevator for immigrants to excel.
TopBackground
As we delve deeper into conversing about barriers and enablers of immigrant career experiences and outcomes, a few broad definitions are included to deepen the understanding of the discussions. Career for one, is defined as the job or series of jobs that a person does during their working life, which can also be referred to as an occupation or profession, especially one requiring special training, followed as one’s lifework (Spiggle, 2019). Immigrants as the focus population in this discussion are people, that move from their native home and migrate to another country to take up permanent residence (Walsh, 2014). Barriers in this case refers to aspects of life in the host country, which impede, hinder or restrain immigrants reach their career goals, conversely enablers are those aspects of life in the host country that encourage, empower, facilitate, or qualify an immigrant succeed career-wise.
Because, migration to developed countries from low to middle income countries also known as developing countries such as Angola, Rwanda, Sudan, Cambodia, and Guatemala among others, has become the new norm. Gunning for grassroot reasons why this happens to the extent that it currently does and more than it was the case in the 90s, and beyond, are essential in drawing perspectives as to why migrations occur as they do. The deep-rooted reasons may evince gaps that developing countries may want to understand and nurture in a manner that may entice their natives to stay home and build the nation than migrate.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Migrating: To move from one country, region or locality to another, which can be temporarily or permanently, and it is usually in order to find work.
Citizen: A native or naturalized person who owes allegiance to a government and is entitled to protection from it or a Person who is entitled to enjoy all the legal rights and privileges granted by a state to the people comprising its constituency.
Natives: Relating to or describing someone and country or place of birth, where they belong to or originated from.
Networking: Exchange of information and ideas among people with a common profession or special interest, usually in an informal social setting.
Diaspora: People who come from a specific nation, or whose ancestors came from it, but who now live in many different parts of the world are referred to as the diaspora.
Tertiary Education: Tertiary education refers to any type of education pursued beyond the high school level, such as college or university.
Green Card: Is an identification card issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services to permanent residents, who are legally allowed to live and work in the US.