Many well-educated Dominicans come to the United States hoping for a better life but end up finding no decent jobs, and working years only to realize they haven’t accomplished much. Even those with degrees end up living a harsh life not worthy of their education or the experience they have amassed.
Niurka German has lived in the Bronx since 2008, a college graduate with a degree in marketing. But she has struggled to find a job that pays her sufficiently.
“I never thought it would be this hard, I’ve applied to a lot of jobs online, but the methods use to select who they call for an interview is really frustrating,” she said.
Most jobs nowadays require online testing before setting up an interview, she said.
“It’s a lot different from what I’m used to, back in my country you get your first impression from the first interview, but not here.”
Most Dominicans who migrate after adulthood come to New York looking to save up enough money to go back home and have a base from which to start a business.
However, what is planned to be a four to five year plan turns into a 10 to 15 year plan. Arelis German, a resident of Manhattan and also a graduate in marketing, has come to New York twice. She said, “The issue is that the experience you amass back home doesn’t help you at all, not only do I have my marketing degree, but I owned a retail business out there, importing clothes from Panama, but that served for nothing when I got here.”
German came in 2000 and saved some money for her planned business by working 12 hour shifts everyday in a liquor store near Yankee Stadium. After five years she returned to the Dominican Republic, only to have to return back in 2010 after her failed business needed another infusion of money.
There are hundreds of Dominicans who have traveled back and forth. The former president of the country, Leonel Fernandez— to this day one of the country’s most influential people— once lived in Washington Heights; He returned to the Dominican Republic to finish law school. The 2010 U.S census however, reports that, 150,000 Dominicans are living in the Manhattan borough alone.
Many Dominicans, of course successfully make the adjustment. Antoni de Leon, is a store manager at Victoria’s Secret Herald Square, but he will be the first to tell you that a degree was not the reason for his rise. He has worked retail for over 10 years and the time he put into working retail is the main reason for his current position.
While some Dominican immigrants return home, most end up staying in the US and trying to start amassing experience again as if they never worked before or went to college. Rogelio Bueno a graduate in business currently living in Boston, lived in New York City as recently as last year, and worked at New York’s JFK Airport; he has been a Jet Blue employee since his days in the Dominican Republic. However, once he got to New York, his position was worthless.
Mr Bueno said, “I had a very good position, but because of situations back home, I came to New York looking for a better opportunity, but my position here was not enough to cover my expenses or let alone save money.”
Mr. Bueno now works in the airport, and no longer believes he’ll go back to the Dominican Republic, and instead looks to building a future here. Language is clearly a barrier for these Dominicans.
Mr. Bueno believes that, “the fact that we can’t speak the language as fluently as others who aren’t as prepared puts us at a disadvantage despite having a degree.”
“Ultimately, companies should give these Dominicans an equal opportunity in applying for these jobs, and valuing their readiness for the job based on the individual’s preparation.” Mr. Bueno said.
Certainly many Dominicans feel that language fluency should not be a main determinant in giving a candidate a job. The issue lies on whether each individual’s mastery of the language is a hindrance on all of his or her qualifications.
“All we need is a fair chance,” miss German said, “the rest takes care of itself.”