Guest Blogger: Manori de Silva
New Kid on the Block
If I had known when I immigrated to Atlanta in 2010 what I know now, I would have handled my transition into a new environment very differently. With hindsight I can say that it was infinitely easier to understand how to integrate in my new home by joining business groups and charities than by firing off emails to announce my arrival in Atlanta.
Employers usually provide guidance to newcomers from abroad to help them find their way in the host country. In my case I did not move for my career but to be near my family. By sharing my experience, I hope others will find tips to help them establish the connections they need in their new host city.
Two hurdles became apparent after my move. First, how could I become a licensed attorney in Georgia? I was admitted to California, but jobs there were scarce and the obvious option was to remain in Georgia. Second, how could I establish myself and make connections in the business and professional communities?
The breakthrough for me came when I joined the Netherlands-American Chamber of Commerce for the Southeastern US and the British American Business Group. Having lived in both England and the Netherlands, these groups were obvious choices. Through their networks I met other professionals in a broad range of industries as well as fellow lawyers who shared an international outlook. I was able to gain advice on my attorney license application in Georgia while simultaneously building a network of relevant contacts in Atlanta.
To some reading this, joining a business group may seem an obvious step. I believe this depends on the industry. Most of my peers in London were members of law-related organizations rather than broader business groups. The clear advantage of groups that are not industry specific is that fellow members are less likely to be your direct competitors and thus more likely to help you promote yourself and share their contacts with you. This has certainly been my experience with the groups I joined.
Another highly effective means of getting to know the community is through volunteering for charities. It is important to choose a charity that you genuinely want to help because credibility is a necessary part of establishing oneself in a new environment. The charities I joined introduced me to motivated and like-minded individuals, including lawyers who graciously helped me with the attorney licensing process.
A year and a half after moving, I have a good network of contacts and I am on my way to becoming a licensed attorney in Georgia. So, despite the rise of electronic media, newcomers trying to establish themselves might have more success by attending business events rather than waiting for a breakthrough from behind a computer screen.
Manori’s Background
Manori founded the consulting firm, TransatLink, which fosters cross-border commerce by connecting businesses with local professionals. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in the Netherlands but returned to London to attend law school. She worked as a solicitor (attorney) for Withers LLP in their London office where she specialized in employment law and litigation.
Tags: American culture, Britain, connections
