I can make the comparison because, even though a lot of people have to start with really limited resources in a new place, I actually entered the United States with completely empty pockets. It was one of the highest hurdles I’ve ever had to jump, but the experience redirected me in a way I have no regrets about.
Why the U.S. Seemed So Amazing
I grew up in Lebanon in the midst of the Lebanese civil war. Bombs dropped close enough that we would seek shelter in the warehouse in the building where we lived. Through it all, my father ran a construction business and did everything he could to get us through. He pivoted us to Abu Dhabi and back, working hard and trying to give us a better life.
My father’s business ventures taught me the value of putting your whole-hearted effort into everything you do.
He was able to make sure we had just enough money. But when my older brother moved to America for college, it was a struggle for my dad to pay for his tuition. Then his business took a dive. I knew that being the youngest of his kids, it would be an even heavier burden on him if I asked him to pay my tuition, too.
At the same time, Lebanese culture was — and still is — pretty limited in terms of what professions people see as acceptable. If you don’t become a lawyer, doctor or civil engineer, others see you as a nobody. The irony of it was that, with everybody aiming for the same target, there was such a huge supply of professionals in those fields that they had trouble getting good jobs. I didn’t think it made sense to pay so much money for their education only to be in a position where they couldn’t work.
As I recognized this as the situation in front of me, my father exposed us to his love of the United States. He’d talk about America all the time and encourage us to watch American movies. I saw him traveling, too. With the idea that it was the place to go, I was fortunate enough to travel to America as soon as I became an adult.
Starting at the Bottom
Before I went to the airport, my plan was to take the $4,000 my parents had given me and start college when I arrived in the U.S. As soon as I realized my money had been pickpocketed at the airport on my layover, that plan went out the window.
Fortunately, when I landed, my brother was able to get me hired at the company where he worked. My job was to be a delivery/pickup boy for just $5 an hour. Almost immediately, I screwed up. I wasn’t used to having to drive anywhere specific, because that’s not how it is in Lebanon, so I got lost.
My boss quickly realized running errands wasn’t my strong suit, and instead, let me try doing mechanical drawings for the business. I was decent at that because I’d drawn in school. Eventually, that transitioned into drawing on the computer, which let me see the company’s designs in ways the designers couldn’t. I was able to point out problems in the designs and help fix them.
Climbing into Better Things
Over time, I kept learning. Every time someone left the company, my boss gave me the chance to take on their responsibilities for a $1 raise. Staying with that business made more sense than getting another position that paid even less, and even though it was hard, it allowed me to save and earn back the money I’d lost.
It was also an opportunity for something creative and different — a chance I never would have had in Lebanon. It was my stepping stone into mechanical design and computer programming, which has become hugely important to almost every industry and continues to offer a solid financial future.
I was able to keep working at my company while going to school at night. I kept applying everything I learned in class to my job, and within a single year and a half, my boss had doubled my pay.
In Hindsight, Nothing Was Everything
Setting foot in the United States without any money to my name was incredibly stressful. Having been through it, however, I think the experience of being hired at a small company where people were willing to teach me and offer opportunities was the best thing that could have happened. Coming to the U.S. with no degree and zero experience was a risk, but my boss saw something in me and took me under his wing like a mentor. All of this shaped the way I operate my own business today.
The urgency of the situation solidified my drive to work hard and made me all the more appreciative of the people who helped. As a result, the most important traits I seek in potential employees are common sense, an ambitious drive and a willingness to learn. In my eyes, these are all more valuable than a piece of paper. If you find yourself in my shoes, don’t quit; and once you’re able, pay it forward. Here are three ways you can do that:
• Give any potential applicants for work a chance, regardless of their educational or professional background — you never know what someone is capable of.
• Integrate charitable engagement with the community into the culture of your company.
• Be available and accessible to any employees who need support and/or might benefit from the communication. A kind word can be crucial at certain moments.
Paying it forward can look different for everyone, but making an effort is the most important part.
