Author Topic: Jobs in America for foreign nationals that speaks spanish and no english?  (Read 3284 times)

FrugalSaver

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I'm trying to help q friend immigrate to the USA. They have a degree in accounting. They are willing to take any job, but speak no English.

Any suggestions to help them maximize more potential earning power and leverage any skills while they learn English and become more marketable?  They are 27 years old.


Catbert

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Lots of good jobs for bilingual accountants.  Lots of jobs for those with limited english language skill, but they are blue-collar or low skilled (e.g., construction jobs of all types, kitchen staff, cleaners).

I think the person needs to concentrate on learning English where they are.

P.S.  I mostly posted to bump the topic.

FrugalSaver

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Lots of good jobs for bilingual accountants.  Lots of jobs for those with limited english language skill, but they are blue-collar or low skilled (e.g., construction jobs of all types, kitchen staff, cleaners).

I think the person needs to concentrate on learning English where they are.

P.S.  I mostly posted to bump the topic.

Thanks for the bump. Was hoping the crowd here had some helpful ideas. I'll continue to search.

nancy33

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Tractor trailer Truck driver

Dave1442397

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I would think there are plenty of people in the Hispanic community who would welcome an accountant who speaks Spanish as a first language.

I'd do some research and reach out to organizations that could be of help, such as http://www.alpfa.org/

And these...  https://www.diversitybestpractices.com/news-articles/21-latino-organizations-you-need-know

ROF Expat

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I'm pretty much with Catbert on this. 

Do you know where your friend is in the immigration process?  Is his/her physical movement imminent?  Normally, arranging an immigrant visa takes many months, and in some cases years.  The basis for the visa will affect the waiting time. 

Unless the visa application is in place and you have a firm timeline for immediate travel, I'd strongly suggest that your friend start studying English now.  A motivated adult can learn a lot in just a few months.  For someone who is bilingual and has job skills, speaking Spanish is an asset.  Speaking only Spanish (or any other language) typically limits work opportunities to low-skill, low-wage jobs. 

If your friend is arriving very soon and won't have time to study English, my advice is to take any job he/she can get with the understanding that it is a temporary measure while studying English and preparing for U.S. accounting certifications.  It will be difficult, but is a common experience for new immigrants who succeed.   

jinga nation

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Your friend would need to learn the US federal and state tax laws.
H&R Block teaches classes in english with spanish translation and materials. When you complete the course, they ask you which locations, days and times would you like to work. Do it for 1 tax season and great way to get experience. The senior tax preparers are willing to help.

Proud Foot

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Find out where they are wanting to live once they immigrate and look for accounting jobs within the hispanic community. If they want to do taxes I second what jinga nation said. Knowing the US tax laws and being able to speak spanish would allow them to prepare taxes for spanish speaking families.

HawkeyeNFO

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Lots of jobs, some of which pay quite well.  Need to learn English.

jinga nation

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The biggest issue is not the language barrier, it's the person's foreign accounting degree. It may not be accepted depending on the state board of accountancy.
May have to use a service to evaluate the foreign credentials.
Enroll in a master's program to get the additional classes required for the CPA exam.
Work in public accounting. Long hours, you've been warned.
Language can be learnt, outcome depends on effort.

I'm a red panda

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Re: Jobs in America for foreign nationals that speaks spanish and no english?
« Reply #10 on: January 10, 2018, 09:22:36 AM »
Willing to take any job?

Maybe look at factory jobs, especially overnight shifts.  I tutor a number of immigrants in English (many of whom had no English proficiency when they came here) who are very well paid in assembly line positions.  The immigrants I work with also do back of the house restaurant work, landscaping, and construction. 

They would not be able to get a visa to come work one of these jobs though, would need to be able to get here some other way, and then they might be able to take these jobs.

Livingthedream55

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Re: Jobs in America for foreign nationals that speaks spanish and no english?
« Reply #11 on: January 10, 2018, 09:49:44 AM »
Do they have family/friends in any one particular state? If you narrow down the search maybe some of us in that state might have more precise recommendations.