Interview with Pharm. D. student Chavan who was forced to be on the H4 visa.
By Raif Karerat
WASHINGTON, DC: When Monica Chavan immigrated to the United States 12 years ago, it was with an H1-B visa and outlook that included a plethora of opportunities in her chosen field of pharmaceuticals. Armed with bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy and a master’s in Management Studies, her potential seemed limitless.
For nearly five years, the Mumbai-transplant lived the American dream. She had her first child, named Arya, with husband Ajit, who also works in pharmaceuticals but as a doctorate-awarded researcher — and was gainfully employed as well.
However, out of nowhere the company Chavan was contracted to abruptly informed her that they would be ending her H1-B sponsorship due to budgetary constraints. After a year of unemployment and the delivery of her second child, Aditya, Chavan began searching for jobs again only to find the economy in shambles and the vocational market buckling under its own weight.
Chavan was then forced to be on an H-4 dependent visa, which doesn’t allow the visa holder to work legally, unless one does volunteer work, for no salary.
Unable to find relevant employment with the circumstances granted to her, Chavan, however, took matters into her own hands by working towards yet another degree, this time a Doctor of Pharmacy, and is also volunteering at a pharmacy to stay abreast of pharmaceutical developments. Her determined move is likely to pay off soon, with the decision by the Department of Homeland Security to grant work permits to certain H-4 visa holders.
Chavan is one of the H-4 visa holders who will benefit this late summer with that new decision, when she finally has an EAD work permit, and put her doctorate to good use when she seeks gainful employment.
The American Bazaar interviewed Chavan on what life has been on an H-4 visa, and how she envisages a new life when she joins the workforce again. Excerpts from the interview:
What has your life been like on an H4 visa?
My particular situation was kind of unique. When I lost my job it was essentially a layoff, so it was very tough because we had our daughter at that point, we were basically relying on two salaries to live a comfortable life — with our mortgage payments, regular bills, my daughter’s daycare — which is not cheap, by the way, especially in the Boston area. We had to cut down on a lot of things — we really only did and bought necessary things. With one salary down, you can’t keep on spending as much as you were spending in the past.
Another thing is that when after so much education, when you’re not able to use that education and knowledge it makes a huge difference in confidence. Suddenly, you’re out of a job, and when you try to get back in it always seems like people are not ready to hire you again because of H1-B budget reasons. It’s a combination of everything that makes you sort of depressed.
I should also mention, I was also pregnant at the same time this layoff happened! So I was pregnant with my second child — almost five months into it — when I got the news that [the layoff] was happening. I did eventually have to take a break because I didn’t want to end up asking an organization to let me have maternity leave just a few months after joining.
After almost a year I did try and get back into the field, but the whole job market was down and it was very difficult for me to find an organization or institution that was ready to sponsor an H1-B since that’s where we stood at that time — we didn’t have a green card or anything. Major chains in the New England area were definitely not looking to sponsor anyone. Hospitals had a lot of budget issues, and a few different hospitals in my area said, “No we will not be able to do that at this point.”
That’s when I decided to go a different route just to keep up and not feel wasted, so I decided to approach a few of my co-workers to try and find a spot as a volunteer, just so I’m not staying at home not doing anything. I’d rather be doing something and be exposed to my field than not doing anything at all.
Being a volunteer doesn’t really give you the kind of experience you really need as a pharmacist, because a volunteer could be doing anything really, within the pharmacy.
What are your plans for the future and what do you think about the immigration system?
I’ve really been looking forward to [the recent H4 developments]. Ever since I heard it was gearing up I’ve been anxiously waiting and it’s finally happened! My plans now are to be ready for the time they begin accepting applications and then go ahead and find an opportunity. I’m not picky in terms of opportunities — whichever suits my situation the best is what I’ll take, and I’d rather have something than nothing. I’d like to start working right away.
I take it you’re excited about rejoining the workforce?
I am very excited. I think it’s such a huge relief for so many people I know. A lot of people have been waiting for this. People who have an amazing number of degrees and an amazing amount of knowledge from back home [in India] are just sitting in their houses for whatever the reasons may be, not able to do anything. I think [the recent H4 reform] is a great option and I think it will encourage people on H4s to start thinking about careers when they get here [to the United States] so that is a great, great thing.
Do you see yourself staying here in the U.S.?
Yes, I do see myself staying here for a lot of great reasons. Both of my kids were born here and they have their lives set up over here. We have our lives set up over here, now! I think we’ll try to make it work as much as we can over here. In the end, if we’re not able to figure things out, then we probably will go back to India. I would say that we’re definitely not planning on moving away from here, at least in the near future.
1 Comment
An excellent write up and summary….