The Zeno Life: About Immigration and Immigrants

Ep 11: Understanding Cap-Exempt H1B Visas w/ Danielle Goldman

Danielle Goldman joins us in this episode to help us understand Cap-Exempt H1B visas, eligibility criteria, who should think about it, her work at Open Avenues, to help companies retain talent, and options available to those who don't get picked up in the H1B lottery. About Danielle: Danielle is Co-Founder and Executive Director at Open Avenues where she leads the organization's efforts to build career pathways in STEM and business for both foreign talent and U.S. students. The organization provides a unique work visa solution for foreign nationals, while educating students from colleges and universities across the country in high-demand fields. Open Avenues is demonstrating that value that foreign nationals bring to society and the economy when they are able to stay, work, and build in the U.S. Prior to founding Open Avenues, Danielle worked at Rabin Martin, a boutique consulting firm based in New York City where she built social impact strategies, partnerships, and programs for Fortune 100 healthcare companies. Danielle is a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and part of the 2019/2020 Women Innovating Now (WIN) Lab Accelerator program at Babson College. She also serves on the boards of City Awake at the Boston Chamber of Commerce and the One Little Light Foundation. Danielle received her B.A. in Political Science and Managerial Studies from Vanderbilt University. Links: Website: https://www.openavenuesfoundation.org/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@openavenues4201 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellesgoldman/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/open_avenues Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_open_avenues/ Zeno: gozeno.io/links Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:49 Danielle's Background 03:41 Open Avenues Origin 06:47 H-1B Visa cap exempt problems 07:56 Visa Sponsor Types 11:07 What prevents people from applying? 13:16 Who should be applying? 15:54 Is a full-time position needed? 17:49 Evolution of Open Avenues model 26:52 Open Avenues Growth 30:21 Is Open Avenues self-sustaining? 33:11 Is there a numerical limit? 33:42 Common Reasons for not getting in the program 37:29 Using stories to change sentiments towards immigrants 40:07 How a foreign national changes the life of a US citizen 43:26 Are there other organizations like the Open Avenues? 44:47 Contacting Danielle Goldman 47:07 Q&A 52:03 Wrap up

Ep 10: Creating impact as an immigrant w/ Sandeep Nair

In this episode, Sandeep Nair, President and CEO of Metquay, takes us through his journey as an immigrant who moved to the US to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams and started a bootstrapped venture against all odds. His story is evidence that it is possible to succeed in the US no matter what and that the business environment is welcoming to all. Listen in, subscribe, and leave comments. Do you like this series of impact stories? Do you want us to continue? Sandeep's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandeepjsnair/ Metquay Website: https://www.metquay.com/ Zeno Links: https://gozeno.io/links 00:00 Introduction 01:23 Background and Story 06:02 Starting Metquay 07:23 What is Metquay? 10:22 Transitioning from India to US 12:41 Starting A Company in US 18:36 Advice About Starting a Company in US 20:11 Problems Faced 26:38 Status of Metquay 28:47 Finding The First Customers 31:20 Metquay's Customer Base 32:13 Bootstrapping vs Raising VC Capital 34:07 Advice When Starting a startup 37:13 Contacting Sandeep Nair 38:59 Wrapupa

Ep 9: Exploring India as an option w/ Nupur Dave

In this information-packed episode, Nupur Dave talks about her own journey and decision to move back to India after 13 years in the US despite possessing a green card. She provides advice for others thinking about the same. When it's a good idea, and when it's not. Various factors that impact the decision and more! Books: Back Home: https://a.co/d/8eBShYO Website: www.nupurdave.in Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/nupurdaveauthor/ Nupur's Articles: https://nupurdave.in/articles/survey-results-nris-returning-to-india-2 https://nupurdave.in/articles/whydoindianswanttomoveabroadbynupurdave https://nupurdave.in/articles/why-nris-dont-get-a-job-in-india-here-are-tricks-to-land-a-job Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:29 Nupur's background 06:49 Mental health issues 08:56 Who wants to move back to India 13:13 What are the challenges that immigrants face 22:23 Current landscape of startups, tech sector and Infrastructure 25:06 Deciding a city to move to 27:09 When shouldn't you move 29:22 Will going back solve for loneliness? 32:52 Nupur's books 33:58 Q&A 35:50 Advice on keeping in touch with US 37:11 Advice to people who are stuck in green card backlog 39:50 Options for H-4 visa holders have 43:50 Education situation in India compared to US 45:53 Retiring early in India 48:29 Does children's grade level impact decision? 52:37 Average salary for someone with 15 years of experience and does international experience have value 55:12 Getting in touch with Nupur 56:44 Wrapup

Ep 8: O-1 and EB-1A Case Studies w/ Alix Cayce from Legalpad

In this conversation, we sit down with Alix Cayce of Legalpad to chat about her work at Legalpad, their unique focus on O-1 and EB-1A, and case studies of successful applicants from the tech sector. Offer Zeno subscribers receive a free work visa consultation [https://legalpad.io/get-started/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=webinar&utm_campaign=Zeno] and a $500 discount on U.S. work visa services. Sign up for a 1:1 consultation at the link below or contact Jeet Gauswami (jeet@legalpad.io) you need to get in touch with Legalpad. About Alix Cayce Alix is the Sales Manager for the North American Immigration team at Deel/ Legalpad. She has worked in the immigration space for the last 2.5 years and has helped hundreds of founders and employees move to the U.S. Originally from Seattle. She is now based in Huntington Beach, California, where she lives with her small family and their dog, Finn. About Legalpad Legalpad is transforming the U.S. work visa and green card process to be fast and easy. We exist to clarify the complex U.S. immigration landscape and provide scarce resources. Legalpad has helped hundreds of companies and individuals to secure work visas and green cards to accelerate growth in the U.S. Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 01:26 - Alix's Background 04:14 - About Legalpad 06:43 - Which visas does Legalpad support 11:46 - What is O-1 visa 12:49 - Drawbacks of O-1 13:40 - When should H-1B holders pursue O-1 15:44 - Case studies of O-1 Visa in Tech Industry 21:43 - Case study of an OPT Holder who worked towards O-1 24:05 - Case study of an OPT Holder who is not a founder worked towards O-1 28:13 - What is EB-1A 30:34 - EB-1A Criteria 32:10 - Case studies of EB-1A 38:30 - How to Contact Legal Pad 40:55 - Resources 45:35 - Alix's message for immigrants 46:49 - Wrapup

Ep 7: Top Tips for Your U.S. Visa Interview w/ Mandy Feuerbacher

In this interview, we sit down with Mandy Feuerbacher, a seasoned visa officer with years of experience in the industry. Mandy shares her insights on the common mistakes that people make during visa interviews, and offers practical tips on how to prepare and increase your chances of success. She also discusses the services offered by her company, Argo Visa, and when is the best time to get in touch with them for help with your visa process. If you're planning to apply for a visa, or if you've had difficulties in the past, don't miss this informative and helpful interview with Mandy Feuerbacher.   Have questions about your visa interview? Book an appointment using this link:  https://preview.argovisa.com/applicant/home?widget_id=6397dd8125c3309762748761&referer=url [https://preview.argovisa.com/applicant/home?widget_id=6397dd8125c3309762748761&referer=url] [disclosure: affiliate link]   Links: Argo Visa: http://www.argovisa.com/ [http://www.argovisa.com/] Mandy's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandy-feuerbacher-a7a557a/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbHlpN2o4akNlRjNIUWxMajE3ZlBtNS1uVnUtd3xBQ3Jtc0tsbkJTRU9RR3MxaTVWT3VsTmJ1MTJSa1B1UGM5VnRMdEpSNXFuUVNYNV82WEZHZ0Rvb3VvMXFZQzVOb1ZiYkRndndTa3hRWFpwWGM1a0dZZERQc1FpR3dvbVdBTzU2dmwzUHFxTzBUNVRIVUp2Q082Zw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fmandy-feuerbacher-a7a557a%2F&v=qYKujafBfJQ] The Daily Journal:  https://www.dailyjournal.com/articles/369270-what-you-should-know-about-visa-interviews [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbU1mWXBUZU5xU0ZPU3oyZF9nbC1ZeWNWSERPUXxBQ3Jtc0tuYmVib3pneWNIRG81OFpoNGhPN1VHSWpHemtERDgzNTVUTFVkTzU2al9zN3VSN1dJUkwyV2ZQRklHUTdwd1hPSDZxS2JTbUJyOU5BdzFoajRXMnl2blREZ1dlWE5yS01JWFVqa05XYkpyOVMzSGF2Yw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailyjournal.com%2Farticles%2F369270-what-you-should-know-about-visa-interviews&v=qYKujafBfJQ] Corporate Counsel Magazine: https://www.law.com/corpcounsel/2022/12/09/the-layoffs-are-here-what-it-means-for-employees-holding-h-1b-visas/?slreturn=20221116215847 [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2xHRUJUcjJuYXNqS0NqOXZld0JReTBJVFd1d3xBQ3Jtc0tscGR3OThrMDR1ZWdROFhIcWRuWTd2ZU02SnBQLU0ya0YzbWlCdWk1Z3lnd1V3STBBNGpDRW0yRWJZQkg3dU5DMnJaZHBySXY3QlFuQUd1b1U5QW1SN21VZkstWFFBTFdiNmpxRy1HZ2Z4LURnTWpfMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.law.com%2Fcorpcounsel%2F2022%2F12%2F09%2Fthe-layoffs-are-here-what-it-means-for-employees-holding-h-1b-visas%2F&v=qYKujafBfJQ] Zeno Links: https://www.gozeno.io/links [https://www.gozeno.io/links]