What matters more

What you know matters.  Who you know is interesting and helps you become a well-rounded person, but it doesn't make you a more capable and competent professional.

Unfortunately, the Portland professional community doesn't seem to share my perspective.

B immigrated to the US in January 2010 and secured his Green Card in July 2010.  He assumed his education and experience in health promotion (he worked more than 10 years as an RN, completed further studies in Health Promotion and worked in that field for six years) would readily transfer to a position similar to what he held in Australia.  I assumed the general lack of emphasis on wellness in the US health system would make it challenging and possibly result in him earning less than what he did in Oz, but he would still be able to find work he was passionate about.  We were wrong.

After more than 16 months of applying, interviewing, writing sample grant proposals and sample health promotion campaigns, and expanding his search field to include positions he was significantly overqualified for, he still hasn't found something.

At a Halloween party, we met an Australian in the process of moving back.  He worked for six years at Intel as an independent contractor.  His attempts to be hired as a permanent employee were unsuccessful.  He decided it was time to return to the meritocracy of home.

"I landed one day, turned in an application the next, was called back for an interview that afternoon and they offered me the job the following day.  When I told Intel, they asked me to stay on as a permanent full time employee, but why would I?  My work week will be 36 hours.  I'll get a month of paid vacation.  And, I don't have to deal with health insurance issues."

"And that's how it should be," B said, giving me the 'what is wrong with your crazy country' look.

B's spent a lot of time talking to people for advice.  However, it all comes back to "it's all who you know".  He's been advised by his fellow expats in his footy club to get active on LinkedIn and join every networking group and association he can find.  They point out to him that it's not what you know or professional successes you've had in the past.  In Portland, it seems that all that matters is who you know and, as a new resident, he doesn't know many people.

So here we are.  My brilliant, experienced husband can't find work in his chosen profession.  One that our population would hugely benefit from (health promotion and wellness), by the way.  He gave up a lot to immigrate and be with me.  At this point, he's looking at giving up his career, too.  I'm constantly wondering if we made the wrong choice and it's getting harder and harder to defend what is seen here as standard practice.