Foreign Education, Underemployment, and Wellness

Although the number of African immigrants in the United States has steadily increased, there remains a gap in understanding their lived experiences in the context of employment and wellness. Using qualitative method, this study investigated underemployment and wellness among six foreign-educated African immigrants. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss three themes that emerged from this study. Study design utilized was grounded theory. Participants in this study held professional jobs before relocating to the US. Results suggest that despite excitement of migrating to the US, African immigrants experience myriad life events from the time they land until when they settle down. Yet, the adaptation mechanisms reported include social networking and social support. Thus, three themes that emerged from this study are occupational, emotional, and social wellness. From the findings, the authors developed underemployment versus wellness conceptual framework that can be used for future studies.

A Dialogic Synthesis of the Career Development

With an increase in precarity globally, there is a need to emphasize proactive self-management of the PhD process for international doctoral students. They may better manage their PhD training journeys if approached as a quest for life career construction. This chapter contributes to research that situates PhD training experience in self-construction of career. The author highlights the self-work that international doctoral students undertake as they construct life careers through a PhD process. She concludes that international doctoral students begin to design their careers from the PhD application process and continue throughout the space and span of the training. She recommends that the counseling field explore different ways to use self and career design approaches to develop self-management orientation resources for international doctoral students.

The COVID-19 Challenges and Opportunities for Immigrant Career Development

This chapter focuses on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it's disproportionate impact on immigrants' careers and employment opportunities, and the dire need to address inequitable career development opportunities. COVID-19 has also highlighted the anti-immigrant sentiment and structural barriers that impact immigrant career experiences and outcomes. A second interrelated obstacle to immigrant career development paths are recent executive orders signed by Donald Trump in the United States against immigrants and refugees as well as global anti-immigrant and refugee policies such as Brexit and the Citizenship Amendment Act. Immigrant workers require advocacy, protection, and avenues to receive continued support during and post-pandemic. Resources for immigrant employers and employees including international resources, avenues for advocacy, and recommendations to service providers are discussed.

Impact of Career Experiences on Health Outcomes Among Immigrants in the Midwest

Immigrants in the US work in diverse professions and contribute to the economy. They play an important role in the economies in which they settle by complementing the skills lacking and create a level playing field for wages in the labor market. The U.S. Midwest has seen exceptionally high growth in immigrant populations in recent decades. While employment leads to a better quality of life when workers can afford basic necessities, immigrants encounter dire health challenges due to unemployment, underemployment, extreme working conditions, long work hours, and no paid leave. There is limited research examining the connection between career development experiences with the health of immigrant workers. This chapter examines the impact that employment circumstances have on skilled immigrants' health outcomes in the Midwest.

Career Identity Development Process

This chapter focuses on the career development process of African immigrant women living in the US. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences these women undergo after migration and how they negotiate these experiences to develop their careers. A qualitative inquiry, motivated by a grounded theory methodology, was used to collect data. In depth interviews using open ended and semi structured questions were used. Five participants were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling. Data was transcribed from the semi-structured interviews conducted with each participant and analyzed using thematic analysis. Five themes were generated, revealing gender specific experiences of these African women immigrants during their career journey. Data collected also revealed barriers and challenges in the process of career identity development process. The findings might provide useful information to career counselors who play a key role in helping immigrant women navigate through career transitions in a new country.

Career Development of Black-Immigrant College Students

The career development of Black immigrant college students has been understudied. More often studies have focused on immigrants of the Latino/a and Asian backgrounds. The few studies that have focused on Black students do not distinguish between those of immigrant origin, rather Black immigrant students are lumped together with the native born African American students, negating their unique experiences. In this chapter, the authors present a theoretical perspective of understanding career development, factors that influence career choice and development, challenges in career development, as well as interventions appropriate with this population. Research has revealed major gaps in the understanding of Black immigrant students' college experience and career development. Consequently, future research suggestions have been provided.

Experiences and Employability of Nigerien Migrants in Algeria and Libya

There is a growing number of people from the rural Niger to migrate to some North Africa countries such as Libya and Algeria due to the economic opportunities those countries provide for migrants. In this chapter, the researchers attempts not only to shed light on the real motives behind these young men and women's rush to mainly Algeria and Libya, but also to report on their job searching activities, and the challenges migration candidates face on their way to and from host countries. A three-axis methodological approach (bibliographic research, survey questionnaire, and focus group discussions) was used to find the answers to three coarse questions about this border crossing activity. The results revealed the existence of various causes of migration such as failure of local production systems, poverty, search for better living conditions, and insecurity.

Reskilling Internationally Educated Nurses

In light of a projected shortage of registered nurses, nurses trained overseas may present a viable solution. However, these nurses will likely need to surmount many obstacles in order to integrate into the profession in the United States. This chapter reviews the barriers faced by internationally trained nurses to entering the nursing profession. Secondly, it argues for the importance of addressing and facilitating personal and professional transitions in helping deskilled nurses as they pursue nursing licensure. In doing so, it will reflect on the researcher's research with internationally educated nurses and their experiences in a National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) preparation program. Finally, implications for adult education practitioners who help internationally educated nurses, as well as other deprofessionalized immigrants rebuild their careers in the United States are discussed.

The Occupational Downgrading of Immigrants and Its Effects on Their Career Development

This chapter explores the phenomenon of occupational downgrading experiences of adult immigrants in the U.S. It starts with a brief history of immigration to the United States to point out salient events and movements that have created the current socio-political and economic landscape for immigration. Then, it zeroes in on the occupational downgrading phenomenon and how shapes immigrants' integration to the U.S. workforce, including barriers and challenges impacting their career experiences and development. These elements include racial discrimination, language barrier, lack of social networks, and transferability of skills. Finally, it offers recommendations for career development professionals and educators to address the current situation.

STEM-Related Career Development of Immigrant and International College Students at an Historically Black University

Post-secondary education serves as a transition between secondary education and the world of work for many individuals, including visiting international students and immigrants. These latter groups are present on campuses in the U.S. bringing varying goals and beliefs. However, little research or practice could be found to address the potential career development needs of this group. This chapter explores the role of gender, academic major, and familial influences on a sample of immigrant and international students' career development (n = 125). Participants completed STEM-specific measures of career interest and commitment. Data were analyzed for differences between Immigrant and International students, genders, and institution type, finding significant differences on four career development measures. Significant differences were also found between groups on three of the six contextual factors, and on comparisons to other diverse samples.