I hope the immigrant's blog series has been helpful so far. I also hope you enjoyed the reading. Now it is time for one of the most important steps when moving to the US, starting the career you came here for. Yes, it is hard, any industry is competitive, people will try to eat you alive and, wherever you go, there is always a line of people who can also do your job. BUT, if you are passionate, you know what you want for your life, things tend to happen.
Like I mentioned in previous posts, your first job in NYC (or anywhere in the US) is not going to be your dream job. The place where you will live first is, most likely, not your dream house and you will hustle more than you can imagine. The hustle never ends, but at some point, it gets better and that is the moment you know you are on the right path.
Building your career in a different country with different rules and work ethics is not only hard, but even if you think you know things, you do not! You will have to start from scratch and learn from the most simple details (like the language barrier) until how to work as a team and become a leader.
Getting your dream job will be hard, but it is not impossible. It depends on how willing you are to start from zero and build your way up. But again, you will have to start from scratch no matter what your experience is (especially if your experience is outside the US).
Here are a couple of steps and tips that will help you start your career.
1. Be open to trying everything
When I moved to NYC I always knew I wanted to be in fashion, but I never knew what exactly I wanted to do in the fashion industry. So I tried everything. I worked as a salesperson, I worked as a fashion designer, I worked as a pattern maker, I worked as a graphic designer until I started production management and fell in love with it.
Be open to work and try a little bit of everything until you figure what your passion is.
2. Start from scratch
I always say that starting college in NYC opened a lot of doors for me. And it is true!
Even though I have a very good educational background in the fashion industry, starting business management in NYC is what opened the doors for me to get my work authorization, start an internship and be able to build my career.
I know going back to school might seem like a “damn, school again?!” and it is expensive, but education is never enough and, most importantly, it is an investment you are putting towards your future career. It will open more doors than you can imagine. But going back to school will not help if you are not willing to become an intern and start from scratch.
Start as an intern, be willing to start serving coffee if you have to. If you really like the job and if you are good, you will prove yourself
3. Work 24/7
Ok, you will obviously not work 24 hours a day for 7 days a week, but as a newbie in any industry, you have to prove yourself - if you like the job.
As I said, there is always a line of people who can also do your job and NYC is competitive. When you get a job you like and see yourself building a career, you will have to work hard, be dedicated and be present no matter what time they need you or when they need you. Be available 100% of the time, screw if you are tired, be at work, and show that you are not only doing your job, but you are passionate about it.
The kind of newbies who walk inside a brand new job and ask what are the work hours, when is lunch, or if you have to stay late are the kind of people who do not last.
4. Earn your way up
After a couple of years of hustle, things do get better. I promise, lol.
When you start from scratch (especially starting as an intern) your main goal is to be officially hired. Once you are officially hired from intern to assistant (or whatever is the title you are looking for), things tend to get better. You obviously have to earn your way up and hire is your status more responsibility you have, but if you got to the point where your company is willing to give you that responsibility it means you already prove yourself.
Now in front, the goal is to embrace more and more responsibilities and keep growing with the company.
I wish I had somebody to guide me through these steps when I was starting. No jokes, these are game-changers in your professional life. I am not mentioning work ethics, being honest and proactive because I believe this should go unsaid… It will be hard in the beginning because you are in a different country/city, but being focused will get you there.
The next step is saving money wisely. Believe me, this is a very hard step to learn in NYC.
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