This document summarizes a workshop for immigrant professionals on using foreign degrees and credentials in the United States. It outlines challenges such as limited English skills and unrecognized academic credentials. It then discusses credential evaluation services from World Education Services and job search resources from Upwardly Global, including a free workshop and mentorship program. Real stories are shared of immigrants who obtained professional jobs after participating in Upwardly Global's programs. Networking and customizing job applications for US employers are emphasized.

1. How to Use your Foreign Degree in The U.S. Workshop for Immigrant Professionals © 2007, All Rights Reserved, Upwardly Global In partnership with World Education Services © 2007, All Rights Reserved, Upwardly Global

2. Today ’ s Agenda Welcome and Introduction to WES and Upwardly Global Challenges for Immigrant Professionals Using Your WES Evaluation U.S. Job Search and Working with Upwardly Global Wrap-up and Questions

3. You are NOT alone … More than 1.3 million college-educated immigrants in the U.S. are unemployed or working in unskilled jobs Housecleaner Barista Waspada Indonesia Auditor Evelyn El Salvador Engineer Taxi Driver Cristian Romania Engineer Cashier Manizha Afghanistan Physician

4. Main Barriers to Employment Limited English skills Academic credentials and professional skills/ experience not recognized Job-seekers not familiar with U.S. job search

5. Credential Recognition About Credential Evaluation in the U.S. Decentralized – each institution/agency sets its own rules regarding recognition and acceptance Internal vs. external evaluation Evaluations are non-binding “ expert opinions ” About WES Non-profit organization since 1974 Has served 750,000 individuals, about 50,000 each year from all countries Reports are widely accepted by universities, licensing boards, employers, government agencies

6. Document-by-Document Report Identifies and describes each diploma or certificate Indicates periods of education Provides an equivalency for each document This is the report you should generally order for: Employment ( when Licensing or Certification is not required ) Immigration

7. Comprehensive Course-by-Course Report Document-by-Document report, PLUS : Lists all subjects completed at the post-secondary level Provides a U.S. semester credit and grade equivalent for each course Provides a U.S. grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale This is the report you should order for: Education Professional licensing Professional certification

8. Unique Elements of WES Evaluation WES authenticates all credentials Why authentication is important Adds credibility and gives confidence to recipient Addresses concerns about fraud and diploma mills U.S. employers can not easily verify foreign degrees, but routinely do so for U.S. degrees Most widely recognized reports Multiple Purposes Employment Professional Licensing/Certification Further Education Immigration

9. Using Your Evaluation For Employment Employers Government agencies & large companies generally require or recognize evaluations Smaller businesses may not be aware Concerns about fraud Companies can easily and quickly verify U.S. degrees Foreign degrees not easily checked by non-experts “ Sell ” and explain your WES evaluation Mention in resume, cover letter, interview Employers can call WES to verify report, ask questions

10. For Professional Licensing License is required for some professions Complicated, time-consuming, expensive Not always necessary Limited practice – e.g. Accounting, Law Alternative careers in related fields Physician  Healthcare interpreter Registered Nurse  Cert. Nurse Assistant Public school teacher  Substitute teacher Alternate routes More flexible (esp. Teaching) Using Your Evaluation

11. For Professional Licensing Licensing is state-regulated Each state has separate boards with different rules Find your state board at www.clearhq.org/boards.htm Certification is usually voluntary Sometimes required for licensing or hiring in certain fields Find your profession at www.noca.org/Generalinformation/MemberOrganizations Using Your Evaluation

12. For Further Education Undergraduate Admission / Transfer Credit External (WES) evaluation often required, but not always Helps college staff determine eligibility Determine advanced standing/transfer credit Graduate Programs Academic Department/Faculty Review Applications and Decide on Admission Certificate and Training Programs Nursing, allied health, teaching Pathways to licensing in some fields How to Use Your Evaluation

13. Your Experience What has your experience been? Using your evaluation Finding appropriate employment or education opportunities Seeking further education or licensing What else WES might do to help its clients? Do you have additional suggestions?

14. Upwardly Global (www.upglo.org) You can call us “ UpGlo ” Non-profit Organization with offices in SF, NY and Chicago Provide job search support for skilled, educated immigrants. Our results : Coached more than 1,200 skilled immigrants from more than 94 developing countries $40,000 average salary + benefits in career field

15. Programs and Services Jobseeker program Free 8-week workshop Mentoring program Connections to employers in your field Referral to community organizations Expectation to commit to a high level of communication with Upwardly Global staff Employer Network program Partnership with more than large, small-to-medium companies, government institutions and non-profit Help them effectively recruit immigrant professionals through hands-on training

16. Success Stories Before: Babysitter After: Immigration Lawyer Before: Unemployed After: Professional Recruiter JPMC Before: Cab driver After: Design Engineer, Con Edison Before: Security Guard After: Accountant, AJWS Before: Unemployed After: PR Director, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Before: Cook After: Evaluater, WES

17. Traits of U.S. Job Search Fast: Fast paced, quick turnaround Computerized: Electronic/internet & email focused Networked: Emphasis on networking with people you don ’ t know Competitive: Many candidates for each job Sell, sell, sell: Focused on self promotion and marketing yourself

18. Marketing Yourself – “Elevator Pitch” Who you are: Hi, my name is _____________. What you can do: I have __ years of experience in/as a _________(field/profession). What you are looking for: I am looking for a position as a _____________ where I can apply my skills in ( skill #1 ), ( skill #2 ), ( skill #3 ). I would like to work for __________ (type of organization/company – be specific).” UPGLO ACTION ITEM: Practice Your Pitch

19. Job Search Tool Box: Resumes Employers will only spend 20 seconds reviewing your resume! Your resume must quickly show: What you are looking for What value you bring What you are capable of UPGLO ACTION ITEM: Update your resume in the American style “ After I updated my resume, it was much more clear what kind of job I wanted. My resume is now results oriented and easier to read, and really highlights my best accomplishments. After I updated it, I started getting calls and interviews! ” -Nataliya, Ukraine

20. American-style Resumes Concise (1 – 2 pages is best) Results oriented Well organized and formatted

21. Job Search Tool Box: Job Boards Where to Look: Monster.com, Hotjobs.com, Careerbuilder.com, Vault.com (large companies) Idealist.org, opportunityknocks.org, volunteermatch.org (non-profit organizations) Craigslist.org (all sizes and types of companies) Mediabistro.com (for advertising/marketing) Company websites Careervoyages.gov, careeronestop.org (career information)

22. Job Search Tool Box: Job Boards Don ’ t make common mistakes when using the internet in your search! Do Not: Use it as the ONLY job search tool Apply for so many jobs you lose track Submit generic resumes and cover letters Do: Use Job Boards for research to target your search Customize every job application you submit Only apply to jobs you are qualified for UPGLO ACTION ITEM: Use Job Boards to find 3 companies for which you would like to work

23. How do Americans find Jobs? Internet Job Boards – 4% Newspaper ads – 15% Networking – 77% !!

24. Networking Where Professional Association events/meetings Job Fairs Conferences Classes/Trainings Online Social Networks ( LinkedIn.com , etc.) Who Your personal network - teachers, family, friends, doctors, political/civic/community leaders, salespersons, other parents, fellow volunteers, clergy How Informational Interviews Short phone calls “ Meet for coffee ” UPGLO ACTION ITEM: List 5 people you will talk to or places you will go to start networking in your job search

25. Networking Success Stories Vladimir , a Ph.D. from Russia, found a position as a Software Engineer through a connection with another Upwardly Global jobseeker ’ s husband ’ s friend! Helio , a Stock Broker from Brazil, found a position at Citigroup through a friend who already worked at the company (this one took some persistence!) Tatiana , an accountant from Moldova, found a position as an Accounts Payable Specialist through a contact she made at a professional networking event. Mandy , a Finance Professional from China, found her position at State Street Financial through someone she met at a Party!

26. Working with UpGlo to Re-Start your Career Minimum qualifications: Arrived in US within the past 5 years Full, permanent work authorization Minimum of a BA degree from outside the US Have at least 2 years of experience in field Highly motivated in your job search Able to commit to an 8 week training program (3-hour evening sessions, once a week) If you can answer YES, your next steps are to : 1) Apply online! www.upwardlyglobal.org or call us at 212-219-8828 2) If you have applied, please call us this week to schedule a client meeting! ** Please complete the attached sheet before leaving today!

27. Summary Main Barriers to Employment Resources Academic credentials and professional skills/ experience not recognized World Education Services Credential Evaluation for employment purposes higher education professional certification Job-seekers not familiar with U.S. job search Upwardly Global Jobseeker Program free 8-week workshop mentorship program employer connections Employer Network Program

28. Thank you Questions and Answers