Affiliations: Department of Public Health Education, The University
of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA | Department of Romance Languages, The University of
North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Holly C. Sienkiewicz, MA, Department
of Public Health Education, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, PO
Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170, USA. Tel.: +1 336 334 9814; Fax: +1 336
334 3238; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to elucidate a
comprehensive understanding of the pre-migration expectations and current
realities of refugees resettled in the United States (U.S). Employment
expectations and the current work situations experienced by African refugee
populations recently resettled in Greensboro, NC are examined. PARTICIPANTS: Ten French-speaking refugees of African descent who
had resided in Central North Carolina for less than three years were selected
to participate. METHODS: A phenomenological approach was used; semi-structured
interviews were conducted with participants in spring 2010. Interviews needing
interpretation were translated throughout the course of the interview in real
time. All interviews were transcribed verbatim or word for word. RESULTS: All participants expected to find work in their fields with
relative ease, but were either unemployed or under-employed compared to their
professional training and/or previous occupation in their country of origin at
the time of their interview. Emergent themes from the interviews included
financial stability, ease of finding work, identity concerns, English language
comprehension, the economy, and navigating a new system. CONCLUSIONS: Refugees in this sample were not prepared for the
challenges they encountered when searching for gainful employment. Their
experiences appear to be common with available anecdotal evidence. Adjustments
to the cultural orientation programs received prior to migration, and
enhancements to social networks in addition to an increased focus on English
language comprehension post-migration have the potential to positively impact
employment outcomes for newly arrived refugees.
Keywords: New arrivals, skill discounting, under-employment
