Networking in Immigrant Community-Based Organizations: A Career Development Resource for Immigrants

While research has found immigrant community-based organizations (CBOs) facilitate the adjustment of immigrants to their new country, little is known about how immigrants can utilize CBOs as a career development resource. This is important as immigrants face multiple barriers to employment, which often results in underemployment or precarious work arrangements. Applying social identity and social capital theories, this study examines the relationships between engagement in CBO activities and the types of benefits they receive from networking at CBOs. Based upon our literature review and familiarity with two CBOs, we developed an initial measure of engagement in activities offered by immigrant CBOs. Then, 343 Sudanese immigrants in the Midwestern U.S. completed our survey about their engagement in CBO activities and the benefits they received. One surprising finding was that nonwork-focused activities were related to numerous career benefits. For example, multiple regression results showed immigrants’ engagement in the CBOs’ cultural/social activities was significantly related to receiving career sponsorship, work-related assistance, social support, job search assistance, protection and political guidance, and information and ideas. This study’s findings underscore the potential CBOs have for enhancing immigrants’ careers and provide an additional resource for career counselors assisting immigrants.