Getting a first job has never been easy, especially in this day and age.

It’s that old catch-22 of needing experience to get the job, but can’t get it due to a lack of experience. Even if you meet the qualification requirements to land one, it is not guaranteed. These challenges are presented to undocumented students after college. Being an immigrant often creates a barrier to entry for conventional jobs. Fortunately, there is no one correct way to approach life.

There are quite a few alternatives that can bring us to a successful career.

In This Article:

The Barriers

A lot of the jobs today demand a legal document that provides work authorization in the U.S. in order to apply.

Which, for one reason or another, is not always that simple to acquire. Making it hard for undocumented students to enter specific lines of work. Not only that, but getting financial aid or an internship is way more difficult to secure if you don’t have the legal affirmation.

The good thing is that experience always trumps theory, and instead of focusing on the limited opportunities that are hard to get into, we should focus on what’s available.

The Alternatives (Vocational and Technical Careers)

Now that we know what the barriers are, we can take a look at the alternatives.

They’re mostly focused on practical skills, hands-on type of work that doesn’t require any formal academic degree. These skill-based professions fit under the category of Vocational and Technical careers. With a focus on learning the ropes through trade schools or apprenticeships, you can get into different fields of work. Some of the examples of vocational careers include: plumbing, welding, cosmetology, carpentry, etc.

Similarly, if you’re more analytical and fancy a more technical approach, you should look in areas like: IT, electronics, healthcare support, automotive industry, renewable energy, and more, that still prioritize real, hands-on experience.

Region-Specific Careers

Not every job is the same in every state. What is really sought after in one place may be completely different in another.

A good way to make a comparison is with construction/inspection. In the states that are located near the coast, experts need to know how buildings respond to different weather conditions there (floods, storms, types of soil, and wind damage).

On top of being familiar with environmental risks, they should learn about local building codes and, most importantly, thesafety standards. Take, for example, a coastal state like New Jersey. It has many areas that are prone to flooding, and an expert has to adjust to that. At the same time, Florida has to focus more on the inspection of any hurricanes.

When thinking about jobs and the risk that comes with the job, specifically inspectors, which both states require, you should think local.

In Jersey, floodplain regulations as well as coastal storms play a massive role in how inspections are done; these basically define inspection standards in NJ.

In FL, the focus lies in wind mitigation (more precisely, hurricane resistance).

This is why it’s important to pass your inspector licensing test when first acquiring the licence, as well as upon each renewal cycle. It’s not just about passing on the first try; it’s also about being fully prepared and having all the knowledge. You can’t go out in the field not knowing something or not being sure about something that’s critical to your job. Inspections can’t take that risk; lives could be affected.

New Jersey industrial & commercial building inspector exam prep and similar exam preparation models are designed to fully prepare (CE included) future inspectors and help them get the license while making sure they know EVERYTHING that’s specific to construction happening in New Jersey. Florida will have their prep models tailored to the state of Florida.The same goes for every state, because every state is unique in some way, and inspectors need to know all that.

The key is to build familiarity with state rules and expectations. Before you enter a field of work, learn what the specialty is for that specific region.

Just by making that adjustment alone, you’re already putting yourself ahead of others.

Freelancing and Self-Employment

If you want to look into a field that has a lower barrier to entry, then you should think about freelancing.

You could dip your toes in writing, accounting, graphic design, web/app development, photography, social media management, etc., etc.

What do you like? What are your skills?

The great thing about freelancing is that it’s very easy to start. Thanks to the internet, we’ve got plenty of resources and knowledge to choose from. The cool thing about it is that you can start small. So pull up that YouTube video that you saved as a bookmark 6 months ago, and make your first website. You would be surprised how far persistence could get you.

Once you get the hang of it, take all of the work you’ve created and assemble a portfolio in order to showcase your work to potential clients. Even if it starts slowly, freelancing is a great way of taking action and developing a skillset that will pay off in the long run.

Maybe even translating into starting your own business.

“I Need a Volunteer”

Having a hard time initiating things by yourself? Think about volunteering.

It can help you gain some experience in the real world and meet new people, because you never know what you can learn.

Sometimes, by helping others, we help ourselves. It’s a great way to support the community and learn a skill or two on the way, while opening some doors you did not even know were there.

Conclusion

We’ve learned that there is no single recipe for success.

Undocumented students may feel that the traditional career paths feel very narrow, in some cases even closed off. That does not mean it’s impossible. You could even say that by choosing that less-traveled path, you’re doing yourself a favour.

Why? It makes you adapt, think on your feet, be creative with your approach, build resilience, and overall character.

All of the qualities people find most valuable on the job market.

Remember that your status does not define your potential. Hard work and persistence really compound over time. So, take control of your future, embrace the unconventional, and build your life and career on your own terms.