Immigration & Wage Suppression

[Rock Steady]

Let's talk about the high-end job market too.

In my last job, I was the only american-born software engineer of 6 working in the USA. They recently opened an Indian office with 6 more SEs there. After I accepted a counter-offer to stay (deadly mistake always), in two months they replaced me with a younger Indian guy.

Now I am a contractor trying to get a permanent position. At this company there are 4 american-born and 7 foreign-born SEs. In 8 weeks they will decide whether or not to hire me perm.

I have BS, MS, PhD 1984 in CS and an excellent resume featuring 8 startup companies. The availablity of legal immigrants impacts my opportunities to work and the wage I can get.

[MaggieL]

Originally Posted by Rock Steady

...an excellent resume featuring 8 startup companies...

Why do I hear a voice whispering "oxymoron" when I read that phrase?

Eight startups in what period of time?

[tw]

Originally Posted by MaggieL

Eight startups in what period of time?

Somewhere I remember something about only one in thirteen companies succeed. That means success is now getting close.

[tw]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Those early 20th century immigrants made their kids go to school and insisted they learn English. Today the schools are becoming babysitters and in their native language to boot. Fewer and fewer kids are getting a real education now.

Have not yet read the article, but Time Magazine says something about 30% of high school students don't even graduate. I was shocked to learn that something like only 20% of the population goes to college. Where I graduated from, 80+% went on to college.

So yes, schools I fear are no longer educating as they once did. But back then, parents always showed up on Parents Teacher night. Today, in some schools, few parents arrive. Furthermore, those same parents would blame a school rather then themselves. We so teach rights and forgot to teach responsibilities. Parental responsibilities.

Does Time Magazine now reflect what has happened? Those are not immigrants who cannot bother to be educated. Those who don't want education are a significant precentage of current teenagers that I know. Those are life long Americans who can't be bothered to get even basic education? Funny. They are also the generation of teenagers whose smoking is more than doubled.

[Rock Steady]

Originally Posted by tw

Somewhere I remember something about only one in thirteen companies succeed. That means success is now getting close.

Actually, third time was the charm. I moved my family of 4 from Pittsburgh to Silicon Valley in Aug 1997 to join a company of 6 people. Company started from nothing and $1.8MM investment. One year later we launched our product and sold the company for stock-swap of $90MM. I was the Dir of Software Engiinnering. The stock of that company went from $12.50 in 18 months to $241.00. Then in about a year to $1.65.

The startups I joined in Pittsburgh had little chance. But, out here in the Silicon Valley, you increase your odds by finding people with good track records and join their company. For the successful company I mentioned above, the founders were VPs at a previous startup that is now a successful large public 20 yo company.

My 7th startup is still privately held but profitable for 3 years. My current startup just launched it's first product 3 weeks ago.

[Rock Steady]

Originally Posted by MaggieL

Why do I hear a voice whispering "oxymoron" when I read that phrase?

Because you're in Philadelphia.

Originally Posted by MaggieL

Eight startups in what period of time?

Oct 1983 - Oct 1985

I did 10 years as a Research Scientist at a small private university in Pittsburgh.

Sept 1995 - present 2006

One company I quit after just 5 weeks, but it was a big experience nonethless. Another was for just 5 months, again big experience. Some lessons learned. The rest were at least one year.

[Rock Steady]

Originally Posted by MaggieL

Eight startups in what period of time?

For the bean counters out there:

(1) 24 months acquired after 12 years
(2) 16 months acquired after 6 months
(3) 12 months acquired after 12 months
(4) 01 months bust after 20 months ($3OMM of investment down the drain)
(5) 05 months acquired after 18 months
(6) 48 months acquired after 48 months
(7) 16 months private
(8) 03 months private present
-------------
Total 125 months
16 months average

I know in this Post-Mari-gate era people want more accountability.