By Progress Oberiko
In today’s interconnected world, relocating to a new country for better opportunities is a common aspiration. However, the reality for many immigrants often involves significant personal and professional upheaval.
Leaving Behind a Lifetime
Immigrants frequently leave behind family, lifelong environments, friends, familiar foods, cultures, homes, and languages. Additionally, they part ways with the careers they have painstakingly built. These changes, often underestimated, become glaringly significant upon arrival in the new country.
A Daunting Job Market
For many immigrants, the job market in their new country proves challenging. Previous work experience from their home country is frequently overlooked. This disregard means that seasoned professionals are often treated as novices, expected to start from scratch in their careers. This situation can be particularly disheartening for individuals who have spent years honing their skills and expertise.
Real-Life Experiences
Numerous stories highlight the struggles faced by immigrants:
A bank manager, after numerous rejections for managerial roles, ends up in customer care.
An individual with a master’s degree and a PhD from Nigeria works as a caregiver in the UK, a role unrelated to their academic and professional background.
A general manager from Nigeria becomes a cleaner in the UK due to an inability to secure a job at a comparable level.
These examples illustrate a reversal in career progression, where immigrants often find themselves regressing rather than advancing in their professional journeys.
Impact on Self-Esteem and Adaptation
Such experiences can significantly impact self-esteem and make adaptation to the new environment difficult. Not everyone can cope with the reality of starting life afresh, which sometimes forces individuals to return to their home countries. This return is not a failure but a move towards finding a place that works for them.
A Call to Employers
This open letter to organizations and employers underscores the need for recognizing the valuable experience immigrants bring. These individuals are not without work experience; many have substantial expertise and leadership roles in their previous countries.
Immigrants should not be relegated to entry-level positions merely because they completed their education or moved recently.
The professional growth and managerial experience gained in their home countries should be acknowledged and valued.
Employers should facilitate a smoother transition for these professionals, enabling them to continue their career progression rather than starting anew. By doing so, they not only support the immigrants’ professional development but also enrich their own organizations with diverse and experienced talent.
Conclusion
As global mobility increases, it is crucial to address the challenges faced by immigrant professionals. Recognizing and valuing their prior experience can help create a more inclusive and supportive job market, benefiting both immigrants and their new communities.
