Description
According to the UNHCR, “Refugees are people who have fled war, violence, conflict, or persecution and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country” (UNHCR, 2021). When fleeing their home countries due to unlivable circumstances, refugees often don’t have the resources or materials to survive. With the immigration process being lengthy and often filled with multiple obstacles, it is important to have people who are willing to work to make this process easier.
Immigration and refugee service workers are crucial to the lives of those in need. The needed education and skills of these careers can range from an associate’s degree all the way to a master’s degree. From being an interpreter to being an immigration case manager, there are thousands of positions that are always able to be filled by compassionate, understanding individuals.
Collection
- Interpreter: Interpreters work in a variety of different fields, ranging from education and insurance to health care and legal industries. Interpreters support communication from one language to another, sometimes nonverbal communication as well. Typically, you need a Bachelor’s degree in a specific language or in American Sign Language.
- Immigration Services Officer: Immigration officers work for the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) and generally require a Bachelor’s degree, with some exceptions based on prior governmental experience. For more advanced roles, at least one year of graduate studies is often required. Immigration services officers work in researching and analyzing petitions, applications, and supporting documentation. They can also work with the Federal Immigration agencies and lawyers.
- Immigration Case Manager: Typically, you need a Bachelor’s degree in the field. It can be useful to have prior experience as an interpreter. An immigration case manager provides services and advocacy to immigrants. Depending on the group you represent, that changes the course work you will need. Some case managers present orientation on legal services to undocumented immigrants who have been detained, while others help documented immigrants with planning work visas, citizenship tests, conducting home and work visits, and gaining access to social services.
Student Organizations
- Amnesty International
- “Amnesty is a global movement of millions of people working toward justice for all. We demand human rights for all people, no matter who they are. Amnesty is the largest grassroots human rights organizations and won the Nobel Peace Prize for their life-saving work. Our work will focus on the individual — people whose human rights have been abused and people who can change the world. All people have fundamental human rights. But those rights are abused or denied every single day. When that happens, Amnesty International finds the facts, exposes what’s happening, and rallies people together to force governments and others to respect everyone’s human rights.”
- University of Iowa Students for Human Rights
- “Students for Human Rights is dedicated to advancing the principles and ideals of Human Rights and providing students with a framework to directly engage in advocacy efforts. We often focus on creating larger events and often include collaboration with faculty, staff, and students. While we have a humanitarian theme, we strive to approach our events with a diverse approach and welcome students with a variety of backgrounds including the humanities, art, business, science and more.”
- Iowa Students for Refugees
- “Iowa Students for Refugees is a student organization dedicated to improving the well-being of refugees in Iowa City and the state of Iowa. We strive to create an inclusive community that is informed about the challenges that refugee populations face, as well as promote community development projects to combat these challenges. We provide leadership and volunteer opportunities for students who are passionate about bettering their communities and becoming more culturally competent.”
Areas of Study
- International Studies
- Global Health Studies
- Social Justice
- Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies
Courses
- Global Perspectives
- World Cultures and Societies
- Global Business and Communication
- Global Crises and Human Rights
- Global Migration
- Diversity and Power in the U.S.
- Translation and Global Society
- Introduction to International Studies
- Introduction to International Relations
- Service Learning: International Studies
Certificates
- International Business
- Human Rights
- Non-profit
- Critical Cultural Competence
Organizations to Volunteer or Intern With
- Refugee & Immigrant Association
- They provide support and relief to new members of the community. They have networks among families and other refugee organizations so that families know other places to go for questions and support. Another goal is to assist with the integration of refugees and immigrants in the community by providing connections with long-time members of the community.
- Volunteers: They need drivers who are willing to give members rides to and from appointments, work, school, the grocery store, etc. and individuals who can meet with newly arrived members to discuss any questions they may have about Iowa or the United States.
- Contact information: RefugeeIowa@gmail.com
- Proteus Inc.
- Proteus, Inc. is an Iowa-based private, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has been serving migrant and seasonal farmworkers, immigrants, and others since 1979. Proteus has been serving the Hispanic and Latino communities in Iowa for more than 30 years through grant related funding.
- Programs:
- Food pantry located in DSM
- Pesticide Education-Worker Protection Standard
- Heat Stress Training
- Home Ownership Education
- Health Care Services & On-site Health Clinics
- National Farmworker Jobs Program
- Volunteer: Contact any of their offices for more information.
- Contact: Patrick Taggart, Regional Director, PatrickT@proteusinc.net, 319-499-9161
- American Friends Service Committee (DSM)
- American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization committed to social justice, peace, and humanitarian service. The Des Moines Office's Immigrant Rights Program educates the community on issues pertaining to immigrants' rights and immigration reform and its Legal Services Program provides direct immigration legal services to more than 300 immigrants and refugees each year.
- Areas of immigration legal assistance provided: Adjustment of Status, Consular Processing, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Employment authorization, Family-based petitions, Naturalization/Citizenship, Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- Types of immigration legal services provided: Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS
- Non-legal services: Legal Orientation Programs (LOP) / Know Your Rights Presentations (KYR), Legislative advocacy (state or national)
- Prairielands Freedom Fund (immigration bond)
- Prairielands Freedom Fun pays immigration bonds and pretrial bail to free people from detention. Their mission is to make sure imprisoned people have agency while also reaffirming their dignity and minimizing the harm done to imprisoned people and their families. They are also committed to standing and acting in solidarity with other movements that work to abolish imprisonment. Prairielands Freedom Fund is also involved in protest work.
- Volunteer: Currently seeking committed volunteers for client support, events and outreach, social media, and fundraising. They also always welcome the involvement, in any capacity, of volunteers who are members of impacted communities, particularly people who are Black, Latinx, and/or who have been personally affected by incarceration. Learn more at https://www.prairielandsfreedomfund.org/volunteer.
- To inquire about a bond payment, please call/text: (319) 535-2209.
- Iowa City Compassion Immigrant Resource Center
- Christ-centered organization that tries to diversify the community through culture, hope, opportunities, and partnerships. They also make sure individuals are able to move out of poverty through support.
- Services provided: ICC also provides various services such as ESL and citizenship classes, tutoring and workshops, food assistance, free health clinics and counseling, transportation assistance, and walk-in support.
- Volunteer: Those who can provide consultations, move furniture, provide meals, or organize a constant stream of donations. Assistance can greatly enhance the outreach of ICCompassion. Learn more about volunteer opportunities by emailing info@iccompassion.org or signing up here.
- Contact: 319-330-9883
Job Search Engines
Job search engines are a great tool to connect you to job opportunities all around the globe. Making use of multiple platforms increases your chance of securing a career you are passionate about.
- LinkedIn
- Create a LinkedIn profile complete with a professional headshot, bio, and past experiences
- Follow all refugee and immigrant associations you are interested in. This will show on your “interests” tab on your page and show potential employers you have an interest in refugee and immigrant work.
- Occasionally comment on posts of these associations. This will show in your activity tab, and again, show employers you are actively interested.
- Check out who works at these associations/companies and request to connect with them. An informational interview can get your foot in the door with a company and broaden your network with those in your career field.
- Here we have linked a student’s profile as an example.
- Indeed
- Indeed has lower upfront costs for employers to list jobs. Therefore, many careers in the nonprofit sector are listed on Indeed.
- Make a strong profile, equipped with your resume, skills, etc., and stay active on Indeed.
- Idealist
- This job search engine is intended to connect idealists—people who want to “do good,” with opportunities for action all over the world.
- This website contains many careers in the nonprofit refugee and immigrant sector
Resumes
- When applying for careers in a position in the refugee and immigrant sector, it is important for your resume to highlight past experience with this community.
- Include all relevant collegiate activities, job experiences, or volunteer opportunities.
- Use “power verbs” to describe your experiences.
- Limit your resume to one page. If a job experience is not relevant to a career in which you are applying, do not be afraid to delete it to make space for other experiences.
- Career Guide tips (Pages 10-25)
Cover Letters
- It is important your cover letter complements your resume. Reiterate your strengths through experiences.
- Do not limit yourself to your work experience! If you find a class project, volunteer opportunity, etc. that better displays your skills, use this experience instead!
- For careers in this field, cultural competence is important. Try to display this skill in your cover letter
Interview Etiquette and Tips
- Be confident!
- Dress to impress!
- Make good eye contact with the person you are in the interview with to show interest.
- Make sure you are aware of your body language.
- Show up with good questions to ask.
- Follow up after a few business days to inquire about the position.
- Don’t go into the interview thinking that you are underqualified!