<<airing programs about immigrants to the US and how their lives have changed...>>
Yes. Me, too.
I'm working with a trade association -- of which the majority of members are first-generation immigrants from India, Bangladesh and Pakistan -- as of November 01 who represent, IMO, the fundamental values of freedom and opportunity to all in a rather exquisite way.
Entrepreneurs in a tough business/industry.
Convenience stores.
In the current issue of the monthly newsletter that I'm writing, we profiled the daughter of one of the Association's members.
Here are some excerpts from her unique perspective about the challenges -- and rewards -- of coming to America.
(Eyebrow) Profile: (Assn) Family & Friends …
(HEADLINE) ____ University Graduate Launches Career in Banking/Finance
Introducing: J___ B___
Relationship to (Assn): Daughter of (Association) Member J___ and J___ B___
"Who I am today reflects the strength of my parents, to whom I'm so grateful," says J__, the 24-year-old daughter of J___ and J__ B. "I hope that they are proud - of their accomplishments - in giving me the encouragement, freedom and flexibility to identify and pursue my own interests, dreams and goals - always with 100 percent support."
Later this month, J____ is transferring to the ____ of (a large national bank), to assume new responsibility as ___(promoted to management after one year)
J____ graduated in December 2000 from _____ University with a bachelor's degree in business administration, with a double major in MIS and finance. She also interned with (brokerage), where she gained experience in portfolio analysis. At the time of her graduation, she had offers to join (brokerage's) corporate offices in New York. She chose instead to return to Austin to join __ because of her family. "And now I'm going back to the East Coast!" says J__. "It's been very nice to be in Austin this year, though."
J_____ was six years old when the (B family) immigrated to the United States from Pakistan, first to Houston for about nine months, and then relocating to Austin.
Her interest in finance and business likely was piqued early on.
As a child, J___ accompanied her parents on frequent visits to the family's convenience stores. "I was fascinated and intrigued with the cash register skills of the customer service employees," she remembers. "I wanted to learn how to do that with the same proficiency."
Growing up in a family environment of convenience store ownership "makes one very business-minded," J___ says. "It's an aggressive, entrepreneurial, goal-oriented perspective that fosters a strong sense of independence, self-reliance and accomplishment. For me, it was the platform that framed my career - and life - goals and ambitions."
She sees these values as core strengths of the (Assn) organization. "(Assn), first of all, represents a minority group of people - most of whom have been in the U.S. only 12 to 20 years, I would say. Not only does it represent a minority, but also (Assn) is competing against big, well-established organizations for pricing strategy. It's a tough industry to begin with.
"For the newcomer, the challenges are enormous," she notes. "You come to this country. You have your family to manage; you have your kids to raise in a new culture. You've been uprooted from a completely different life. There's the language barrier; money problems, financial issues. Getting settled in a new city, a new nation ... and being accepted in your new community. You're working your way up with nothing on your plate except 'I'm a hard worker.' It's difficult to overcome entry barriers in an industry dominated by business owners who have been well-established for many, many years prior to new immigrants coming into the industry."
She adds, "For a minority group to come in and get established within a matter of 15 years, proving themselves on a national level, is really amazing. The way (Assn) is operating, I seriously see them gaining a competitive edge and positioning for where the convenience store industry is headed in the future."
J__ plans to enroll in an MBA program once she is established in ___, and says that she eventually plans to get into financial consulting. "Although, I've grown to like the banking sector, so I may decide to remain in banking."
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