LibGuides: Career & Job Resources: Resources for Undocumented Students

Online Library Resources

These eBooks (electronic versions of printed books that can be read on a computer or handheld device) provide insight into the challenges faced by individuals in the US who are undocumented. When you access these eBooks online, you will be prompted to login using your ECC email and password.

We ARE Americans by William Perez (Editor); Daniel G. Solorzano (Foreword by)
ISBN: 9781579223762
Publication Date: 2009-08-19
Through the inspiring stories of 16 students - from seniors in high school to graduate students - William Perez gives voice to the estimated 2.4 million undocumented students in the United States and draws attention to their plight. These stories reveal how - despite financial hardship, the unpredictability of living with the daily threat of deportation, restrictions of all sorts, and often in the face of discrimination by their teachers - so many are not just persisting in the American educational system, but achieving academically, and moreover often participating in service to their local communities. Perez reveals what drives these young people, and the visions they have for contributing to the country they call home.
Illegal: Reflections of an Undocumented Immigrant by José Ángel N.
ISBN: 9780252079863
Publication Date: 2014-01-24
A day after N. first crossed the U.S. border from Mexico, he was caught and then released onto the streets of Tijuana. Undeterred, N. crawled back through a tunnel to San Diego, where he entered the United States forever. Illegal: Reflections of an Undocumented Immigrant is his timely and compelling memoir of building a new life in America. Authorial anonymity is required to protect this life. Arriving in the 1990s with a 9th grade education, N. traveled to Chicago where he found access to ESL classes and GED classes. He eventually attended college and graduate school and became a professional translator. Despite having a well-paying job, N. was isolated by a lack of official legal documentation. Travel concerns made big promotions out of reach. Vacation time was spent hiding at home, pretending that he was on a long-planned trip. The simple act of purchasing his girlfriend a beer at a Cubs baseball game caused embarrassment and shame when N. couldn't produce a valid ID. A frustrating contradiction, N. lived in a luxury high-rise condo but couldn't fully live the American dream. He did, however, find solace in the one gift America gave him--his education. Ultimately, N.'s is the story of the triumph of education over adversity. In Illegal he debunks the stereotype that undocumented immigrants are freeloaders without access to education or opportunity for advancement. With bravery and honesty, N. details the constraints, deceptions, and humiliations that characterize alien life "amid the shadows."

The ECC Career Center

The ECC Career Center

The ECC Career Center is available to support you as you explore career possibilities and potential job opportunities. Because the campus is currently closed to students and visitors, Career Counseling Services are now available in a virtual environment. You can use this link to Make a Career Appointment.

The Career Center staff can support you in a variety of ways, including:

Assist you in decision making when you're feeling stuck or still exploring majors and careers.
Review your resume with a focus on your transferable skills and provide feedback to increase your opportunities toward current and future employment.
Prepare you for interviews through strategies reviews and mock interviews that will help you make the best possible first impression.
Discuss other career-related topics and issues including job sustainability, salary negotiation, and career advancement opportunities.

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Other Online Resources

These online resources offer a wide range of resources for students who are undocumented who want to explore their career options and job opportunities.

The mission of Immigrants Rising is to empower undocumented young people to achieve educational and career goals through personal, institutional and policy transformation. They offer a wide range of resources and services, including live online wellness gatherings for undocumented young people, the Immigration Legal Intake Service, an online survey to help undocumented young people learn about possible immigration options, and the California In-State Tuition Tool, which helps you determine whether you have the attendance and degree requirements in order to qualify for in-state tuition in California. Even if you do not qualify yet, this tool can help you figure out what you need in order to meet eligibility in the future.

Life After College: A Guide for Undocumented Students is an electronic document created by Immigrants Rising that can be read online or printed out. From the author: While initially it may seem as though undocumented students have limited options upon graduating from college, this guide is intended to shed light on the possibilities that do exist. The guide has been written to be as inclusive and comprehensive as possible by including personal narratives, student testimonials and advice from experts. The author hopes that undocumented students and allies will read through this guide and walk away feeling encouraged and unafraid of the next step.