Let’s talk immigration, and specifically the approaches of countries to attracting highly skilled workers. Another day, I’m sure I will write more about the many downfalls of immigration systems with caring for refugees, asylees and would-be immigrants more broadly. I’ve spoken, written and acted on that as long as I can remember, as I firmly believe immigration is at the heart of the things that make America its best. Way back when I was 8 years old, I walked the 10-mile CROP walk with my mom in support of migrant workers, and over the years, have volunteered regularly with the International Rescue Committee and numerous other organizations.

But the way countries handle immigration for highly-skilled workers is a different challenge. This Washington Post piece examines problems with the U.S. immigration system for highly skilled- and -educated workers. Just 11% of foreign-born U.S. university bachelor’s degree recipients and 23% of those who get master’s degrees manage to remain to work in the U.S. https://www.nber.org/papers/w30431?utm_campaign=ntwh&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ntwg28 … Because of the challenges and delays in getting an OPT visa which is good immediately after graduation or a coveted H-1B lottery, most end up going to work in other countries after receiving their education in the U.S.

I don’t think the visas should be tied to any type of job. I believe that if these are workers that a country wants to attract, they should give them a broad visa for highly-skilled or -educated workers that enables them to live and work in the country, without having that tied to employment at a given company. Being tied to one company is highly limiting, particularly with layoffs on the regular, and it also stifles entrepreneurship. There are countries that are implementing visas to attract highly skilled workers with more flexible arrangements. https://www.icmpd.org/blog/2023/same-but-different-strategies-in-the-global-race-for-talent … Most leave much to be desired.

In Spain, for instance, the system I know best as I have spent years and years of my life trying to move to Spain and finally achieved it a little over a year ago with the visa for highly qualified professionals (visa para profesionales altamonte cualificados). As an American, it takes 5 years to qualify for permanent residency in Spain (this is shorter if coming from certain other countries). During this time, if I want to change jobs, I need another company to sponsor me and meet the same requirements for the visa for highly qualified professionals.

Even though Spain has newly implemented a visa for digital nomads, as I am already living in Spain, I couldn’t switch to this visa and work remotely for a company (or companies) in the U.S. or elsewhere. I would need to prove that I have already been working for these remote companies for 3+ months to apply for that visa. So my options would be to leave Spain, forfeiting my residency and starting over on the permanent residency timeline, and begin working remotely for such companies, then newly apply for a visa to live and work in Spain; or to work on the side for these companies for 3 months while continuing to remain full-time employed in my actual job. 

I know many friends in the U.S. who over the years as immigrants from other countries have found themselves in really challenging situations, unable to leave an untenable or even abusive situation at work until they can find a new opportunity which can sponsor their H-1B visa (or other type). Now I share their pain.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/06/17/international-students-jobs-visas-recruiting/

Other reads

Science of being social

https://omnia.sas.upenn.edu/story/science-being-social

Loved this First Round piece on how to build a truly strong network

Convey genuine appreciation, listen with intent, use humility markers, offer unvarnished honesty, bluesky brainstorm, end each meeting/convo with optimism/positive feeling, don’t fake it/bluff

Build long-lasting relationships: DO have dream contact list ready, craft low-lift asks (and give people an out, it actually makes them MORE likely to help), follow up and follow thru, make own system for keeping in touch, do special ops recon, know you did everything possible

Don’t: ambush people, reach out only when you need things, lose track of response rate - make your reputation a priority

https://review.firstround.com/how-to-become-insanely-well-connected

New approaches to fighting inflammation

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/end-inflammation-new-approach-treat-diseases-cancer-aging-covid?cmpid=org=ngp::mc=social::src=instagram::cmp=editorial::add=ig20230614science-inflammationhedcardfreetrial&linkId=219940079

Análisis del negocio del Real Madrid y FC Barcelona by Sintetio 

https://t.co/Zqzb9jmmUK

The Fugitive Heiress Next Door by Manuel Roig-Franzia with an appearance by Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh

https://t.co/nClUs6rkHz

Huge progress in fighting cancer with Cancer Moonshot, but huge disparities

http://nyti.ms/3NAlQJs

Books/Audiobooks

Outsmarting the Sociopath Next Door - by Martha Stout - unfortunately, sometimes we get stuck working for, in a romantic relationship or otherwise ensnared by a sociopath. How to get out (run!!!!! But seriously, what to do)

The Urgent Life: My Story of Love, Loss and Survival - by Bozoma Saint John - a phenomenally successful marketing executive, at Pepsi, Beats, Netflix and more; as well as a Black woman who lost her husband to cancer while in her 30s

Podcasts

Kelly Clarkson on We Can Do Hard Things - on losing her light in a difficult marriage

Slow Burn season with host Joel Anderson (@byJoelAnderson on Twitter) on Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas