It is difficult to get into decent work right away and takes time to adjust to everything. What kind of work have your husbands pursued and for those who just arrived recently, how is the job search going?

Tammy

I would like to know this also. My fiance' is an attorney in the high courts which basically is a federal court attorney in Egypt. He is looking at trying to go back to school here or find some kind of work in a law office. If anybody has any suggestions for us we would appreciate it.

My husband was Capt of Police in Morocco and served as Diplomatic Security Officer (kind of like Secret Service here). He is currently working as a security officer. The job is ok, but not what he'd really like to do. He is not eligible for some of the higher end security jobs as he is not yet a citizen. He also has some friends he'd met here in training on the police force that would love to bring him on board there, but until he's a citizen, he can't.
He had been accepted into training for some FEMA/Govn't related security, but then they had to cut him b/c of citizenship. Maybe in a couple more years he can pursue this type of thing.

My husband seems to have been in a slightly different situation than alot when coming here - he looked for manual labor right away. He has potential for alot more, but knows from experience that this is the type of job easiest to find for imigrants (and the best pay too) when they are not highly educated or don't have good language skills in a forgien country. In Egypt he was a farmer/international imports kinda guy. His family has the land and he paid others to work it (although he helped) and he bought farming equipment from Europe and sold it locally. In France, he he was a foreman in industrial/residential building repair and restoration.

Here, he repairs door and windows (industrial and local) with a guy from the local masjid. The guy speaks arabic, english, and spanish and is helping him get established. He also makes the same pay I do (which in all honesty, it's not that much ) and I'm very proud of him. It's the best situation while he learns English and Spanish and then he's hoping to get a foreman type job with a company in a few years. He's starting to pick up the farming equipment as well for Egyptians back home who are looking over here, so we will see where that leads.

He's been here 5 months, and was working within three weeks. Alhumdulla we have been very fortunate. He's good at networking and meeting new people

hubby has no education from jordan, he is a self employed cab driver here....not what i want him doing forever, but its a decent living

hubby has no education from jordan, he is a self employed cab driver here....not what i want him doing forever, but its a decent living

Our lawyer in Morocco came once to New York and tried to get into it here. He said it was not easy at all. He eventually gave up and went back to Morocco. I think the problem he had was the language.

I feel really bad for immigrants that come from a highly educated back ground. They get here and pretty much have to start at ground zero. It's not easy.

my husband finally after a 2 year wait is in his 2nd year residency and hating every minute of it. he says they are taking advantage of the arabs while the indians are being treated very well and he is sick of it. i keep trying to tell him its only for another year and half to just hang in there but im not so sure he will. they are tearing him down to where he is depressed all the time.

Donna I have seen this as well. A man who came at a similar time, one was Indian, one was from banngladesh, with Muslim name. The bangladeshi one had a masters, very smart young man. The indian man, who is also a friend of ours had little to no education, but a a simpler name with no bad associations. These cases are sometimes isolated but theres just something so hard about getting an Arab/Muslim into the work force. There are people who succeed though, its just a hard process to do. That's why I asked this question, after the first few months of bliss, we are bombarded with these problems. It's best to try to stick it out and I know all these men are intelligent - something good will come with time.

I really worry about the language being an issue. I told him you are so smart but you have to be so on top of all of the slang that is used or they will eat you up. He is extremely intelligent and I back him up from whatever his choice may be. I just don't want to see him get hurt in the end. I've suggested maybe doing legal researching for a lawyer's firm or maybe even taking another career like something in computers because he is so smart with this. I don't know what he is going to do it makes me nervous to think of him going out there in our work world. For a while because he is going to be daddy daycare for our son while I go back to work Poor baby!

my husband is a mechanical engineer and can't get an interview here in america for the life of him! every job he's sent his resume to doesn't call back. i think just taking any job, going to more school, then looking again after might give him a better chance.

a friend of mine from morocco who moved to the US 32 years ago (things are different now, i know) went to school starting at high school even was a college graduate from morocco....and now he's the vice president of a bank (making bank!lol) so it can happen. i suggest putting all your husbands back in school here and see what happens!

finding work in america sucks especially if your educated,,,,,,,,,

What do you mean by "no bad associations?" It is obvious from some names that these are Muslim names, but it is not the case all the time. By looking at some names, finding the religions are not so obvious. During the interview, they are not supposed to ask the job seeker about his religion.

my husband went to the local adult school and got certified in welding. its not at all the job he dreamed of but its pretty good money and pays the bills while he decides what he really wants to do when he grows up. I keep encouraging him to go back to school for some kind of degree but so far there is always one reason or another why that doesnt work out....

but they can tell a lot of times by the person's name if they have half a brain!

i had my husband abbreviate his name because his full name is practically impossible to pronounce. he refuses to use another name all together though.

My husband last name has 9 syllables!

I can't fit it into forms half the time!!!

Sereia, if your husband takes the PE test (professional engineer) here in the USA, it may help.

I found a link that can describe it.

http://www.ncees.org/exams/professional/pe...nical_exams.php

thanks nutty. only thing i worry about taking those kinds of tests are his english reading/writing skills. his speaking is fine, but the other two are ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! i guess it can't hurt to try it! i assume he can take it again if he fails because of his language. (checking)

Abdel has been here for 2 1/2 years and is still doing manual labor. He studied to teach French in Morocco, but quit school a year before graduation so he can't teach here. My spanish professor is the director of foreign language for our county and he would hire him if he had that diploma. They are so short on teachers here that they hire and then let them take about 3 years to get their teaching certification. But, they do have to have a degree, even foreign.

Abdel had worked up to lead man with the contractor he was working for at the sugar refinery and was trying to get a permanent position there when it exploded in February, so now he is having to start at the bottom again. Since there are a lot of others unemployed too due to the explosion, jobs are scarce and the pay has dropped. Right now he's temping in a warehouse putting boxes onto pallets. He comes home worn out from working like a dog all day.

I'm trying to get him back in school but to finish his French would require a drive of over an hour to the nearest university that offers a degree in that and he'd have to just about start over because the cirriculum is structured so different from Morocco. He was looking at the Electrician program at our technical school, but has dragged his feet on getting signed up for classes.

He's really hoping I get a job in Europe with the company I work for so we can move somewhere out of the US. We're definitely planning to move out of the US as soon as I can find a job somewhere else. I currently make 2 1/2 times what he can make here right now and since I graduate next week, hopefully I can do even more than that. Also, if the company I work for moves me overseas, they pay all moving costs including shipping our stuff, getting our work visas, and visits home to see my family.

Check online degree programs as well to finish his degree.

Are there any good ones that someone could recommend? I know there are a lot of scams out there and would prefer one that someone can give me first-hand knowledge of the quality.

wow can they send us to belgium too?

It's hard to say cause there are so many things to consider. One of the easiest factors to use to judge an online program though is whether or not they have a real campus. Many campus based universities also have online programs. Those are good ones to start with. In NYS, there are also two online programs that are based for working adults Empire College and Excelsoir College. They have quality, respected programs. The specifics of what you are looking for probably requires research on your part to find what would be best for you. But it's a good and viable option to complete or continue education. You also want to find an accredited program, but you probably knew that already.

is it possible to do online uni without having to go into a campus for tests? or are those the shady ones?

It's possible. Depends on what you are doing. Don't expect to do a practical nursing degree online and it be a valid degree. But a romance language is definitely a possibility. If the program is accredited by a national accrediting body then you are on the safer side.

nursing online! ROFL!!!!

what about a business degree? do any of you know of any reputable accredited schools for that?

Abbas is a chemical engineer with a sub specialty in petroleum and gas.

I want him to follow his engineering career here in the USA. However, not if we have to move to some crap area to pursue this. Like out in the middle of Texas.

Abbas, knows that chemical engineering is the best way to make some money. But his dream is to pursue skulpture and painting. He wants to open some sort of business doing base relief skulpture on people's houses. What he does not realize, this may be popular in Iran.but it would not work for houses made of wood (like the ones here in Portland, OR). It may work in New Mexico because they have a lot of adobe style buildings.

I try to encourage him to follow his dreams, but I also want him to realize that it will take baby steps.

Many foreigners think that life in USA is easy and that jobs and money fall from the trees. But that is not the case.

I agree some might have to start all over. But not all. My husband got a job in his field right away(computer programmer/systems analyst). It really matters what field. He happens to be in a very in demand/good paying field. So I guess it matters where you move to and what you do.

Husband is an english teacher in Kuwait, where do you live, that would be good for Hesham, but he is thinking of trying to do something else, he is not sure he would like to teach in America.

Hubby is studying for the USMLE (United States Medical License Equivalent) which after he passes the second part he can start practicing medicine here for a reduced rate then if he passed all three parts. His sister who is a cardiologist came to the US last year with her Hubby who is an orthopedic surgeon and she passed the first part of the USMLE and has some prospects at various institutions in the US already. So she is working on her paper work to come back here later this year or early next year for one of those prospects.

Since her Husband already did a fellowship at John Hopkins this is a good example for her and Waleed. Waleed is also looking for a fellowship or a clerkship to parley him into a group of professionals to give him some experience and some contacts and possibly start a medical business with them when the time comes. I'm sure we'll be fine but only time will tell.

After he passes the exams and is secured in a good job practicing medicine he says we can start a family.

That would be nice. My husband says something similar, but I think he has about a 5 year time frame for that in his head (bc we have to buy a house first and that's how long it will take to learn english) and I'd be about 30 at that time He talks about buying that house all the time though and I think that's his real marker before having kids, so I'm crossing my fingers and saving my money

Don't want to have them too quick though....I want some more time to enjoy married life without them

He might also consider work in a museum. Which many people don't think about.....the NYS State Museum has a petroleum and gas specialist on its payroll. They do scientific type stuff (ok, I was a liberal arts major).

Anything is possible...But I think the first thing is to see if he can get a job here in the pacific Northwest or California. Since I am already established. I would really only prefer to move if the money/salary is exceptionally good.

Hubby is a barber. Hopefully I can convince him to go back to school after he works on getting a GED. However, it is his life and one of the things he wants badly is to live his life as he sees fit so I'll support whatever he wants to do..... well for a while.

Oh, no, that's not what I meant. I meant that maybe there are positions in museums there that are similar to what we have here.

Indians are not always treated well. In the company where I work, we had one guy who was transfering from our India office to our US office and he was AP for two years.



I think where the advantage comes in for some Indians is all the US companies that are operating in India nowadays. It makes it alot easier for them to adjust when they are here because the hiring managers in the companies they apply in can recognize company names and industries.

He's a nurse, and we have talked about him going back to school to get an American nursing certificate in California. I already have connections at the college I teach at (same division), so may have a good chance to get him into that program. He teases me that perhaps I could go into the nursing field too --

I do not expect him to get a job immediately... although nurses are in high demand currently. Just a matter of certification needs, etc. He also needs to work on his "bed-side" manners

I think University of Phoenix is pretty well respected nowadays - they have been around a lot longer than most of the programs you see. They are a bit expensive though. My mom got her BSN through Phoenix - the hospital where she was working actually placed her in the program so obviously it had credibility with them, and that was 10 years ago. I think there was an on-site component to the program, but they also offer fully online programs in some fields.

You might check University of Phoenix - see my previous post.

Amen.

just a little advice from someone whos been there....tell him study hard and score well on those tests. hassan got 75 on his step 1 and 78 on step 2 and could hardly get a job with those scores. he had to do alot of begging to get into the local hospital residency program. he applied for a ton of programs and did not get one interview. when the post match scramble came we called and called and they wouldnt even talk to him because he didnt score 80. so those scores mean alot in getting a job.

ur husband is also going to have to do a 3 year residency first before a fellowship so dont plan on a family soon and plan on lots of hours alone cuz they will work him to death for a piss poor $40,000/year. its a little more but not much more. i cant remember what the exact amount is.

my husband is behind on his tests. he has 2 more to take before he finishes his second year in the residency program. he hardly has time to study so is best for ur husband to get them all behind him before he starts working.

Some nursing education programs are transferrable. He should have his transcripts reviewed for comparability with one of the educational review firms like WES. He may only need to take and pass the nursing certification examination to become certified. He may not need the whole degree program.

Even though habibi is not here yet, I do worry about this since the economy is not so great. I have prepared him for this tough by explaining this to him and even he can see it kind of because he watches things like the exchange rate and we all know the dollar is down, down, down. But he has a good attitude and he said he will do anything just to get work here when he comes.

Yes, after citizenship, a lot more doors will open. A good friend of mine was a security gaurd for several years until he got his citizenship and he got a very positon in surveillence, the money is very good and the work is much easier and he has an office as well.
I pray for your husband that he is satisfied with his current position and to continue to aspire for the good.



I agree it is a decent living, many of the men I know coming from MENA/Muslim nations are cab drivers. The money is indeed not bad, but we want these men who have so much potential to get into higher positions. He could look into his own business that way in a few years, it is promising in several aspects.

If after hearing thousands of complaints of bad associations with Muslim names, seeing thousands of innocent men being scrutinized by the government for having names like Muhammads/Ahmed/Khan...after seeing first hand how anyone with a beard is treated..how any Muslim man is treated, how YES, the name directly is associated with religion in many cases and after seeing that yes, indeed after a name is abbreviated that the jobs get easier to have - (my own good friend, went from Sheikh Muhammad to "S.M"...life got better, got job as accountant...after seeing that religion IS asked that equal opportunity, if it were as real as you naiively claim for some odd reason in this post (while I know you know better) then most of the incredibly intelligent men coming in from MENA countries, engineers, doctors, teachers, would not have to look for min wage jobs and hope to climb from the bottom...thats what bad association means for anyone, as Seria said, with a half a brain, who can understand.

Yes, taking a job and going to school really does help as I have seen it with my own eyes. Yes, I also know a man who came here about 34 years ago, and he is now the executive of Mutual Banking. There is good opportunity to work upwards, its just now with the economy and the taboo on these men, its harder and the process, all the more headachy for us who only wish to see our husbands satisfied with their work and give them peace of mind.



absolutely. as a side note, Simplemale if everyone one did everything they are SUPPOSED to do, like not SUPPOSED to ask/look at religion I wouldn't have even and these concerned women wouldn't have even wasted a breath to respod to this topic.

Exactly money does not fall of trees, its almost impossible to even SQUEEZE it out of trees now with this current situation. My husband too has some dreams of owning hotels, etc, but as I too, dont want to crush dreams...I say practice your writing and try to get good scores first dear, try to think practical jobs first....then you can dream after a few years of seeing how the job system works.
I believe with time and hard work, anything is possible. I have full faith in all of our husbands who are compassionate, intelligent human beings.



Right, the first obstable is getting the visa, the 2nd and most profound is establishing here. My husband too has a good attitude and I have slowly told him to understand nothing will happen instantly, BUT there is great room for opportunities and there is everything that you need to fulfill your dreams. Time is needed to find these things though.

RIGHT YOU ARE. And it hurts those who are educated to see their intelligent disintegrated into pieces by these "equal opportunity" hirers. I believe then that even though its not fair, continuing to try for better jobs is important...in this dead end world..thats all we can do

Right, once they get into work it is tiring to study and keep up with both...if he can not work for a few months and finish the tests to get them over with that is the best thing to do...we all know how hard it is, I too made up my mind that there will be no talk of children, etc until there is some sense of establishment after my husband arrives

What do you mean by "no bad associations?" It is obvious from some names that these are Muslim names, but it is not the case all the time. By looking at some names, finding the religions are not so obvious. During the interview, they are not supposed to ask the job seeker about his religion.
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They may not ask but they will make their own assumptions. I was actually asked and very rudely treated by an Israeli interviewer in NYC. Most people will not fight discrimination claims as they are very hard to fight. I spoke to a lawyer in MA regarding a similiar incident and she said everything is at will and they can do what they want. EOE is not alive and well in America.

If after hearing thousands of complaints of bad associations with Muslim names, seeing thousands of innocent men being scrutinized by the government for having names like Muhammads/Ahmed/Khan...after seeing first hand how anyone with a beard is treated..how any Muslim man is treated, how YES, the name directly is associated with religion in many cases and after seeing that yes, indeed after a name is abbreviated that the jobs get easier to have - (my own good friend, went from Sheikh Muhammad to "S.M"...life got better, got job as accountant...after seeing that religion IS asked that equal opportunity, if it were as real as you naiively claim for some odd reason in this post (while I know you know better) then most of the incredibly intelligent men coming in from MENA countries, engineers, doctors, teachers, would not have to look for min wage jobs and hope to climb from the bottom...thats what bad association means for anyone, as Seria said, with a half a brain, who can understand.
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After the 9/11 attacks, many Muslim men abbreviated their names. many Mohammad's decided to be called Mo instead. When I was living in Ohio, every reference that a white man made to a Muslim was always "Abdullah this" or "Abdullah that". They did not say "some Muslim guy" or "some arab guy"...they would actually use a name of some imaginary arab/Muslim as he was making fun of their way of life and assosiating them with terrorism. So yes, I too believe that names play a part in assosiating certain things with a person or range of people.