Personal experience: how can an immigrant without experience get a prestigious job in America

Dariga Abishbayeva, 22, from Boston talking about studying in the US, internship at New Balance and working at Fortune Live Media, reports WE.

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Dariga has been living in the USA for four years. She graduated from Northeastern University in Boston with a degree in Communications and Media. Works for Fortune and moves to New York in three weeks.

About moving

In September 2017, she started her freshman year and entered the study abroad program. She moved to Boston in January 2018 and has been living here ever since. Her university has a Co-Op program - cooperative learning. This is when, over the course of four years of study, students have the opportunity to work in any company of interest for six months. She had two practices. In 2019, Dariga worked at New Balance, and in 2021, at a furniture sales company.

About adaptation and difficulties

When Dariga moved, she had a culture shock.

“Americans dress however they want. If you go out in your pajamas, no one will be surprised,” she says.

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If a person does not know English, it will be difficult for him, at first.

“It is important to have a circle of people with whom you will practice the language. I have many friends who come to the USA and communicate only with Kazakhs. I think it’s important to expand your circle of acquaintances and meet representatives of other cultures,” says Dariga.

Also in the US there is a lot of competition. Because a lot of people come here looking for opportunities. Salaries here are higher than in other countries.

“It’s quite hard to compete with other professionals, especially when you’re an expat,” she says. — Abroad, you need to achieve everything yourself. In the USA there are no loved ones who will help you. It helps you become stronger.”

“The most important thing is to find good friends. When you are far from your family and homeland, you need to have people nearby who you can rely on, who can help at any time. And I am grateful that I was able to find such loved ones. All my friends are foreigners. My close friends are from Mexico, the UAE and Norway. There are also friends from Spain, Brazil, Argentina. We motivate each other, practice English,” she says.

About development and career

When Dariga graduated from university, it was difficult to find a job. Particularly because the companies needed to sponsor her visa. Nobody wants to do this. She was unemployed for a couple of months, applying for different positions every day through LinkedIn. Wrote former managers to provide a letter of recommendation.
“In the US, people are hired for their skills. So the most important thing is to have a good resume,” she says.

You also need to have strong communication skills. Darig's first interview takes place over the phone. Employers ask about your interests. If they like you, they move you to the second round, where they talk about the company itself and the proposed position.

She works for Fortune Live Media as a Production Coordinator. Her team organizes conferences for all directors in different states. Last year she flew to Washington, San Francisco. Dariga pays all bills and works with the finance team.

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“Let’s say I’m calling florists or making reservations in restaurants. I like this kind of work, it’s active,” says the girl. — The work is remote, so I didn’t notice any special company culture. But the big plus is that I see directors of other big brands. For example, last year I met the director of Pfizer,” says the girl.

How the move affected

“The move affected me as a person. I plan to find an even better job so that they pay me more and I can support myself. I think I learned to be independent and strong,” said Dariga.

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