Non-Profit Helps Immigrants Launch New Careers

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) ― Saleem Sahawney came to the United States seven years ago to join his family. He brought with him a degree in computer engineering from one of the top universities in Jordan.

"Also have almost two years working as a technician back home, working with computers, fixing computers," he explains.

Even with all that training, Saleem couldn't find a job when he came to this country. To make ends meet, he worked behind the counter of a smoke shop. But all that changed when he found the offices of Upwardly Global.

This organization helps highly trained immigrants find professional jobs that match the skills they bring to America. Jane Leu started the non-profit ten years ago, after working in a refugee resettlement organization where she saw too much talent wasted.

"I would see these Bosnian doctors who are cutting up chickens at processing plants," she remembers. "I'd see Iraqi engineers cleaning hotel rooms. I just got frustrated and felt that we could be doing better!"

So Jane started helping the immigrants with resumes, networking, and interview skills - whatever they needed to market themselves in a new culture.

"The first couple of years people would literally come to my apartment and sit on the couch and I would council them one by one," Jane says.

This year, Upwardly Global will help over 600 people like Saleem, including Martha Parker, who once had her own dental practice in Columbia.

"A lot of people told me, 'Forget it, you can't do that. Probably you can find good income cleaning houses,' but I said, 'It's not for me. I went to school! I have a masters degree! I have experience!" Martha says as she meets with Jane at the Upwardly Global office.

In fact, 39% of the people Jane works with have masters degrees. Upwardly Global also works with companies, helping them discover this pool of talent from over 100 countries. And, It's the success stories like Saleem's that make Jane's work worthwhile. He's taking the first step on his new career path by teaching computer skills, helping others with the skills they need to find work.

He says, "I think that since I found this job after all that struggling to find good jobs, I think for me it's like a new start."

Jane adds, "All of our families came from somewhere at some point, and the prosperity that we have in the U.S. really comes from the work immigrants over the generations. The new immigrants are no different, and they just need a little bit of a start, and then their contributions are huge. I'd like more Americans to play an active role in that."

So for helping immigrants make meaningful contributions in their chosen careers, this week's Jefferson Award in the Bay Area goes to Jane Leu.

By Kate Kelly

Related Link:

* Upwardly Global

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