An Immigrant's Guide to Making It in America

Immigration has always been part of the fabric of America's history and its future. However, the emphasis on high-skilled workers-today's foreign graduates at US universities with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math-is a fairly new phenomenon. The effects of "reverse brain drain" are becoming increasingly common, as professionals have begun taking knowledge and skills they've learned in America back to their home countries. Policymakers are realizing that foreign students are not only a major pipeline to innovators, but are also the catalysts behind the growth of new ideas and capital. In An Immigrant's Guide to Making It in America, Virgilia Kaur Pruthi reveals why this is the best time in modern US history for young immigrants to begin making their mark by highlighting the stories of a diverse set of those who've made it in America. Filled with practical advice on how to navigate the immigration system and tip for adjusting to US culture and understanding the visa process, the book gives readers the knowledge they need to succeed. An Immigrant's Guide to Making It in America presents a complicated process in an accessible format and is useful for the recently immigrated as it is for those long in the United States, looking for inspiration in the stories of their new peers. "I wrote this book for those looking to understand what it takes to succeed in America," Kaur Pruthi writes. "It is meant to follow you through your time as a student, a job-seeker, a family-starter, and a hopeful candidate for a green card and citizenship. It also tells the stories of immigrants who came to America, each motivated by unique aspirations. I aim to demystify the current immigration terminology while sharing tips on how to succeed in America from those who have been through the process." In chapters that detail the various issues for immigrants and naturalized citizens to understand Kaur Pruthi covers such topic as: The Current State looks at the evolution of immigration in America and takes a look at some of the hard statistics that shape our nation's diversity and education system. The People highlights the stories of more than thirty-five immigrants who hail from more than thirty countries and possess an extremely diverse set of professional backgrounds. They share their most honest advice and their stories are divided into the most common traits immigrants exude, including the bridging the gap between two cultures, getting comfortable with networking and building relationships, being open to the unknown, setting clear goals in life and remaining focused, and being confident of their own willpower and forward-thinking despite any barriers. The Skills lists the necessary skills people should be aware of and utilize in order to grow and succeed in any profession. The Real Answers addresses the most frequently asked questions posed by immigrants when moving, working, and continuing a life in America. The States details the demographics, trends toward immigrants and employment outlook of all fifty states. Resources highlights organizations in America that are doing incredible work for immigrants that individuals coming to this country should feel comfortable in approaching if in need while The Glossary is meant to translate the bureaucratic terminology, from A-Number to Visa Waiver, it's your portable dictionary to immigration. "I would love for my readers to take apart this book by extracting the information that is most important to them at a certain stage in life," Kaur Pruthi writes. "My aim is to make information about immigration and visas more accessible and clear without getting blindsided by politics. I hope that what you learn about the immigration system in this book will help you stay positive, patient, and courageous throughout your journey in the United States."