The Zeno Life: About Immigration and Immigrants: Recent Episodes
Zeno
Danielle Goldman joins us in this episode to help us understand Cap-Exempt H1B visas, eligibility criteria, who should think about it, her work at Open Avenues, to help companies retain talent, and options available to those who don't get picked up in the H1B lottery.
About Danielle:
Danielle is Co-Founder and Executive Director at Open Avenues where she leads the organization's efforts to build career pathways in STEM and business for both foreign talent and U.S. students. The organization provides a unique work visa solution for foreign nationals, while educating students from colleges and universities across the country in high-demand fields. Open Avenues is demonstrating that value that foreign nationals bring to society and the economy when they are able to stay, work, and build in the U.S.
Prior to founding Open Avenues, Danielle worked at Rabin Martin, a boutique consulting firm based in New York City where she built social impact strategies, partnerships, and programs for Fortune 100 healthcare companies. Danielle is a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and part of the 2019/2020 Women Innovating Now (WIN) Lab Accelerator program at Babson College. She also serves on the boards of City Awake at the Boston Chamber of Commerce and the One Little Light Foundation. Danielle received her B.A. in Political Science and Managerial Studies from Vanderbilt University.
Links:
Website: https://www.openavenuesfoundation.org/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@openavenues4201
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellesgoldman/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/open_avenues
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_open_avenues/
Zeno: gozeno.io/links
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:49 Danielle's Background
03:41 Open Avenues Origin
06:47 H-1B Visa cap exempt problems
07:56 Visa Sponsor Types
11:07 What prevents people from applying?
13:16 Who should be applying?
15:54 Is a full-time position needed?
17:49 Evolution of Open Avenues model
26:52 Open Avenues Growth
30:21 Is Open Avenues self-sustaining?
33:11 Is there a numerical limit?
33:42 Common Reasons for not getting in the program
37:29 Using stories to change sentiments towards immigrants
40:07 How a foreign national changes the life of a US citizen
43:26 Are there other organizations like the Open Avenues?
44:47 Contacting Danielle Goldman
47:07 Q&A
52:03 Wrap up
In this episode, Sandeep Nair, President and CEO of Metquay, takes us through his journey as an immigrant who moved to the US to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams and started a bootstrapped venture against all odds. His story is evidence that it is possible to succeed in the US no matter what and that the business environment is welcoming to all.
Listen in, subscribe, and leave comments. Do you like this series of impact stories? Do you want us to continue?
Sandeep's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandeepjsnair/
Metquay Website: https://www.metquay.com/
Zeno Links: https://gozeno.io/links
00:00 Introduction
01:23 Background and Story
06:02 Starting Metquay
07:23 What is Metquay?
10:22 Transitioning from India to US
12:41 Starting A Company in US
18:36 Advice About Starting a Company in US
20:11 Problems Faced
26:38 Status of Metquay
28:47 Finding The First Customers
31:20 Metquay's Customer Base
32:13 Bootstrapping vs Raising VC Capital
34:07 Advice When Starting a startup
37:13 Contacting Sandeep Nair
38:59 Wrapupa
In this information-packed episode, Nupur Dave talks about her own journey and decision to move back to India after 13 years in the US despite possessing a green card. She provides advice for others thinking about the same. When it's a good idea, and when it's not. Various factors that impact the decision and more!
Books:
Back Home: https://a.co/d/8eBShYO
Website:
www.nupurdave.in
Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/nupurdaveauthor/
Nupur's Articles:
https://nupurdave.in/articles/survey-results-nris-returning-to-india-2
https://nupurdave.in/articles/whydoindianswanttomoveabroadbynupurdave
https://nupurdave.in/articles/why-nris-dont-get-a-job-in-india-here-are-tricks-to-land-a-job
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:29 Nupur's background
06:49 Mental health issues
08:56 Who wants to move back to India
13:13 What are the challenges that immigrants face
22:23 Current landscape of startups, tech sector and Infrastructure
25:06 Deciding a city to move to
27:09 When shouldn't you move
29:22 Will going back solve for loneliness?
32:52 Nupur's books
33:58 Q&A
35:50 Advice on keeping in touch with US
37:11 Advice to people who are stuck in green card backlog
39:50 Options for H-4 visa holders have
43:50 Education situation in India compared to US
45:53 Retiring early in India
48:29 Does children's grade level impact decision?
52:37 Average salary for someone with 15 years of experience and does international experience have value
55:12 Getting in touch with Nupur
56:44 Wrapup
In this conversation, we sit down with Alix Cayce of Legalpad to chat about her work at Legalpad, their unique focus on O-1 and EB-1A, and case studies of successful applicants from the tech sector.
Offer
Zeno subscribers receive a free work visa consultation and a $500 discount on U.S. work visa services. Sign up for a 1:1 consultation at the link below or contact Jeet Gauswami (jeet@legalpad.io) you need to get in touch with Legalpad.
About Alix Cayce
Alix is the Sales Manager for the North American Immigration team at Deel/ Legalpad. She has worked in the immigration space for the last 2.5 years and has helped hundreds of founders and employees move to the U.S. Originally from Seattle. She is now based in Huntington Beach, California, where she lives with her small family and their dog, Finn.
About Legalpad
Legalpad is transforming the U.S. work visa and green card process to be fast and easy. We exist to clarify the complex U.S. immigration landscape and provide scarce resources. Legalpad has helped hundreds of companies and individuals to secure work visas and green cards to accelerate growth in the U.S.
Timestamps
00:00 - Intro
01:26 - Alix's Background
04:14 - About Legalpad
06:43 - Which visas does Legalpad support
11:46 - What is O-1 visa
12:49 - Drawbacks of O-1
13:40 - When should H-1B holders pursue O-1
15:44 - Case studies of O-1 Visa in Tech Industry
21:43 - Case study of an OPT Holder who worked towards O-1
24:05 - Case study of an OPT Holder who is not a founder worked towards O-1
28:13 - What is EB-1A
30:34 - EB-1A Criteria
32:10 - Case studies of EB-1A
38:30 - How to Contact Legal Pad
40:55 - Resources
45:35 - Alix's message for immigrants
46:49 - Wrapup
In this interview, we sit down with Mandy Feuerbacher, a seasoned visa officer with years of experience in the industry. Mandy shares her insights on the common mistakes that people make during visa interviews, and offers practical tips on how to prepare and increase your chances of success. She also discusses the services offered by her company, Argo Visa, and when is the best time to get in touch with them for help with your visa process. If you're planning to apply for a visa, or if you've had difficulties in the past, don't miss this informative and helpful interview with Mandy Feuerbacher.
Have questions about your visa interview? Book an appointment using this link: https://preview.argovisa.com/applicant/home?widget_id=6397dd8125c3309762748761&referer=url [disclosure: affiliate link]
Links: Argo Visa: http://www.argovisa.com/
Mandy's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandy-feuerbacher-a7a557a/
The Daily Journal: https://www.dailyjournal.com/articles/369270-what-you-should-know-about-visa-interviews
Corporate Counsel Magazine: https://www.law.com/corpcounsel/2022/12/09/the-layoffs-are-here-what-it-means-for-employees-holding-h-1b-visas/?slreturn=20221116215847
Zeno Links: https://www.gozeno.io/links
In this conversation Soundarya gives practical tips and advise to visa holders who want to start companies or cut down their wait times for a green card
Soundarya is the author of Unshackled, an upcoming book aimed at helping skilled immigrants in America navigate immigration better. She's also the author of Admitted, ex-PM from Salesforce, and a graduate from Columbia University. Her blog has been read by over 200,000 people and videos watched over 1M+ times.
Soudarya's Links:
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https://curiousmaverick.com/
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/tracking-indian-communities/why-indian-students-in-us-find-it-hard-to-fit-in/
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https://hackernoon.com/notion-a-product-that-users-love-and-vcs-cant-invest-into-2g1oe3zwq
Zeno's Links:
https://www.gozeno.io/links
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In this episode, Abhishek Gutgutia sits down with Sophie Alcorn to deep dive into EB-1A green card path. It's an option that many are not aware of or think they don't qualify for. But with a little work, this is a viable option for many.
Sophie's Bio:
Sophie Alcorn is a top 10 California immigration attorney, entrepreneur, and thought leader. She is a Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. Sophie’s mission is to help people harness their strengths, follow their hearts, find direction in their goals and live their dreams in the U.S. She founded Alcorn Immigration Law, and lauded the Top Immigration Law Firm For Startups In California. Global entrepreneurs, investors, and even countries frequently seek her counsel on immigration, mobility, and economic policy. Sophie authors TechCrunch’s advice column “Dear Sophie”, hosts the leading podcast Immigration Law for Tech Startups, and helps draft the new legislation shaping America’s immigration future.
Sophie's Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlcornLaw
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiealcorn
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alcornimmigrationlaw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alcornimmigrationlaw/
Zeno Links:
Website: https://www.gozeno.io
App: https://app.gozeno.io
Community: https://community.gozeno.io
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gozeno
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gozeno_/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gozeno_
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gozeno_
Abhishek Gutgutia sits down with Betsy Cohen to discuss her book "You're Hired", resources available to H1B visa holders, the current state of immigration laws in the USA, tips for find jobs quickly, and the Global EIR program.
In this episode, Abhishek Gutgutia speaks with Attorney Matt Meltzer to dive deep into options available to laid off H1B workers, things to watch out for even if you are not laid off, as well as options available to other visa holders.
In this episode, Abhishek Gutgutia speaks with Attorney Tess Douglas to dive deep into options available to laid off H1B workers, things to watch out for, why it's 35 days and not 60 days to find a job, and more.
Links:
www.gozeno.io
app.gozeno.io
www.linkedin.com/company/gozeno
www.instagram.com/gozeno_
www.youtube.com/@gozeno_
Abhishek Gutgutia explores the O-1 visa with Maria Fernanda Melgarejo-Ainsworth. They talk about the myths surrounding the O-1 visa, eligibility expansion in 2021, examples of approved cases, and why H1B visa holders should be taking it seriously.