IndiaPost.com - Immigrant professionals continue to drive NYC's GDP

NEW YORK: During this period of economic slowdown, it would be easy to overlook the economic role that skilled immigrants play in New York State. Upwardly Global, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization that works with immigrant professionals and US employers to promote immigrant inclusions into the American workplace, today reports a growing number of immigrant professionals who have successfully returned to work in their professional field, making contribution to New York's economic growth.

Since Upwardly Global opened its door in New York in the summer of 2006, the organization has experienced tremendous growth, including: The number of immigrant professionals coached as active jobseekers grew from 96 in 2006 to 468 in 2008, and more than 110 have found jobs back in their professional fields at an average salary of $43,000 per year. This pool of talent represents more than 94 developing countries.

* The number of active corporate members grew from 23 in 2006 to more than 70 corporations in 2008, including JPMorgan Chase, Deloitte Consulting, and Pepsi Bottling Group.

* The number of active volunteers grew in the last two years from 83 volunteers in 2006 to 394 volunteers in 2008.

* Upwardly Global has entered partnerships with more than 40 community organizations to better serve immigrant professionals.

* The number of staff grew from 4 in 2006 to 13 in 2008. Nikki Cicerani, Managing Director of Upwardly Global New York said, "Upwardly Global believes in the leadership potential of immigrant professionals. We cannot afford to ignore the contribution these skilled immigrants make to New York's economy and their local communities." As Cicerani suggests, immigrants in New York are by no means marginal to the economy. According to an independent study conducted by Fiscal Policy Institute in 2007, 37 percent of New York City population is foreign born and accounts for 46 percent of its labor force. In addition, New York's immigrants are responsible for $229 billion in economic output in New York State, which represents 22.4 percent of New York's gross domestic product.

This further demonstrates that immigrant professionals fuel growth and vitality in every economic sector in New York. Cicerani points out that in reality it is not impossible to help immigrant professionals to continue their careers at a salary that allows them to support their families and rebuild their lives. The key is to equip them with necessary skills and resources to successfully navigate their job search, as well as to enlist the support and partnership of private companies, professional networks and volunteers.

Upwardly Global offers a free 8-week workshop for immigrant professionals who are qualified to enroll into the organization's program that helps them conquer downward economic mobility and the resultant low self-esteem these professional experience. Upwardly Global graduates earn an average of $43,000 per year and work in various sectors including accounting/finance, legal, IT, marketing/media, engineering, and nonprofit.

Cristian Popa, a design engineer from Romania with five years experience represents one of Upwardly Global's typical success stories. Upon his arrival in the US, he had to work as a taxi driver to support himself as he struggled to find work back in his field. Ana Lazo from Colombia holds a bachelor degree in law and when she moved to the U.S. in 2006, she found herself working as a cashier and a housekeeper.

Jufri Yanis graduated from one of the top universities in Indonesia, but only found an opportunity working as a dishwasher in the US. With coaching and through its extensive network of volunteers and professionals, Upwardly Global helped these professionals rebuild their careers and lives. Popa is now working as junior design engineer at Con Edison. Lazo is happily working in a non-profit law firm, applying her skills and experience to help children with disabilities, while Yanis is working as a credential evaluator at World Education Service.

"With our support, they achieve financial independence and bring their full talents to the American workplace. They are new Americans with the skills, experience and education to make great contributions to our country and society, and a central component of New York's economic growth," said Cicerani.