I’m an immigrant working in the USA, I came here because of the promise of a better tomorrow, a meritocracy, a seat at the table at big tech, and for a while it felt real but then my company was acquired by a larger entity and it all went to shit, now I’m in a race to show I’m the most competent and dedicated person with the most technological knowledge to keep my job and not get layed off.
If I ask my manager or my director a question or challenge their thought process I get called into a 1 on 1 meeting where I’m told I’m a great asset to the team but me asking questions of them in a team setting sets a bad example, and my questions aren’t in bad faith infact in the meeting I was lauded for asking the right questions, but being pulled aside and being asked to kiss the ring felt disgusting.
At one point in my career I cared about what I did and who I worked for I felt pride over my product and my team, and all I feel now is shame to be associated with my company, I feel disgusted with myself that I work not for my customers but for shareholder value.
So I guess my question if any is are there still companies that exist in the USA or outside that still give a fuck about what they’re doing and not just inflate that companies value so it can be sold or keep the stock price going up.
I would love to live and work somewhere where my value isn’t determined by how much money I van make or how much shareholder value I increase, I wouldn’t have to worry about a visa and if I can/will be kicked out if I’m no longer employed.
I could go back home but the work culture there is atrocious it was the reason why I had left, I lasted 5 months and I couldn’t take it and put in my 2 weeks to go to the US for a Masters degree in Computer Sciences.
I’m sorry that this turned into more of a rant than anything else but I’m at a point where I don’t really know what I want to do anymore, any advice or conversation is appreciated.
I was looking into immigrating to Germany but the thing that a few people told me and caused me hesitation was the 55%(?) taxation rate that seemed high, and the language barrier I remembered back when I was in undergrad that Germany required you to learn the language and I found that intimidating at the time.
Not true. But the real rates are quite complicated. Do not believe any simple statements to this :)
All countries require that, unless you don’t want to really live.
Yep, high taxation rate is a concern but not more than my sanity. And yea English came naturally and lucratively US seemed the best option in my 20s, harder to pick up a language I was never exposed to will be a challenge but should be doable I think.
Taxes are high in Germany, but then again you also don’t pay for health insurance and get good public transportation. The calculation will probably turn out better than you’d expect, though nowhere will be quite as lucrative as America for tech.
That makes sense I think I’ll try and take a look at Europe again but I am also intimidated by my age I’m 33 and another uproot and resettlement seems very scary.
I’ll be honest: If you’re not white you’ll probably want/have to get out of the US anyway. Might as well bite the bullet now.
Yep agreed, I am brown and exiting the US seems the best route.