This was the title of a news story on NPR that I was interviewed for. As the economy struggles to regain strength so do refugees and millions of other Americans when looking for a job. What I am continually confounded by is there are jobs out there. I feel as though I keep trying to solve an equation that always equals zero. What I mean by this, is that there are jobs out there that need to be filled and most native born Americans do not want. Yet, a lot of companies are hesitant to hire refugees for the positions. So, at the end of the day they remain vacant.
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of taking a newly granted asylee to a job interview at a prestigious hotel in Baltimore. This amazing lady speaks four languages, has experience in the hospitality industry, and is willing to take any job in this hotel. If I was the hiring manager, I would be racing to hire this woman. She would be a great employee and would excel in her work. Is that not what all employers are looking for in a potential employee? Is that not what we all strive to do in our careers?
As the Democrats and the Republicans on Capital Hill continue to bicker, we all need to remember the open-mindedness of our grandparents when it came to work ethic and being grateful to have a job. And being grateful to have amazing people willing to take the jobs we have to offer. Thank goodness the new comers we serve still remember!
Listen to the interview
here.
