Entry level IT jobs for new immigrants?

[Imua 0]

I did not know whether to post this in the MOving to America section or here but I figured a lot of Indians and other S. Asians work in the IT field so would have knowledge... If the mods feel it will be better posted there then pls move this post...

My husband is currently taking computer classes at an institute in Kathmandu and honestly I wonder if it will do him any good once he comes to America. He is starting a networking class and I asked him if it offers Cisco Systems ceritifcation and he said No... I wonder if he is wasting his time and money by taking these classes or if there are entry level jobs that someone can get if they have basic computer knowledge but not top level certification. I thought that his instructor had offered him a job but I just recently found out that basically it is an unpaid internship so his boss is getting free labor from him.... He says 'maybe' after three months he will get a salary... AFAIK he is repairing computers but his specific skills I do not know. I recently had a cable modem installed and the guy was from Bangladesh. I asked him what his training was and he said he had to take a 2-year course - in America. I hope my husband's skills will not be wasted when he gets here and is only able to find a job in a bodega(corner store) or stocking shelves for minimum wage like other Nepalis here.... If he cannot find other work then he might as well not continue with the classes - in time if he cannot find relevant work they will tell him his skills are outdated I am sure....

In case you can't tell I am a little frustrated...

[maya62 7]

Asking here, or in the Moving to America forum is a good idea, but I'd also ask in OT... it gets so much more traffic and your question is not really country or region specific.

I had a couple of other thoughts...

English classes in Kathmandu would almost certainly help him - maybe a lot- once he comes here, imho, unless his English is very good already, and whether he continues with the computer internship or not.

Is it possible (I have no idea) to take an online computer course offered by a US institution (I'm thinking along the lines of that Phoenix University, or whatever it is...), but access it from Kathmandu?

Maya

[Imua 0]

He does not have a computer and online access at home so an online class would be very difficult - not to mention if he needs to turn in certain assignments on time what will he do when there are power cuts - some days they are 16 hours long.... Also I have heard University of Phoenix is very expensive.

He was taking a conversational English class at one point, am not sure if he is continuing with it.

Basically I think he is wasting his time and money(and yes, a little of mine) with the computer classes and his instructor is taking advantage of him - am I wrong to think he would be better off selling Kurkure and bottled water at the bus stops so he could save a little money????

[b_weeks 6]

any experience he gains is better than none. I would tell him to continue his training

There are plenty of entry level jobs for IT. Make sure he gets what he is currently doing documented, and maybe a reference letter or 2.

[pbgirl 1]

I think this is a great question. I would really encourage him to take ESL classes during his time waiting for the visa. That will help tremendously when he arrives. And make sure it is not just reading and writing but also conversation skills. American english is a lot different than the type of British english they teach and speak. Tell him to start a subscribtion to the local English paper and read up.

I don't blame you for being wary of the free work. But i would also say that having him learn some basic IT skills won't hurt. Good luck!

[PlatyPius 5]

Many IT jobs prefer experience over education. Most would like both, of course, but they realize that some people just "Can" do it, and have done so for years. However, I've never done IT work in NYC, so I don't know the job market there.

[Nikita2Charles 32]

He's on the right tract, I would say even though he's worry for free, keep going at it, he's getting valuable experience he can use later on. the main thing is communication, so spend a lot of time to improve his english skills, One thing with IT, the terminology and the harware are very similar, the names won't change much so the knowledge he's getting there will be usefull to him also when he gets here.

[Imua 0]

Thanks everybody for your helpful replies. I know there is a Cisco Systems certification course at Queens College that he can take during the evenings and weekends so that might be something for him to consider once he is here. I will advise him to focus on the ESL classes and keep up with what he is doing - at least he is gaining good experience and a reference he can use.

[ELW 5]

I just saw this thread, but you are right Dolma: continuing with the computer experience might very well be helpful, not to mention filling the time usefully does a lot for self esteem and keeping an upbeat attitude. If possible, conversational English classes will be a big plus too.