Immigrant Professionals Connect with New Opportunities
Burst for Prosperity Stories - Tokunbo Ajayi
Trained as a doctor of internal medicine in Nigeria, Tokunbo Ajayi came to the United States in 2008. He moved to the greater Seattle area from Nigeria, where he was a doctor of internal medicine. He came to the U.S. in February 2008 but was unable to find work until he connected with the Puget Sound Welcome Back Center more than six months after his arrival.
Tokunbo credits the Welcome Back Center with helping him obtain his current employment as a medical assistant, as well as providing educational support as he works toward his U.S. medical credentials. He is working full-time and studying during the evenings and weekends. His goal is to complete a residency program, get board certified, and most likely go into private practice, most likely in nephrology (kidney disease). Here’s what Tokunbo has to say about his experience:
"The Welcome Back Center gives you hope. You're not just a person alone."
The Welcome Back Center really helped me to get my job. It was tough for me to get a job when I arrived here. I had a lot of interviews before I went to the Welcome Back Center. One of the main concerns people had was my wage: Would I be satisfied with what I would be paid after being a doctor in my home country? Also, they were scared about my commitment level.
Since I was going to be working as a medical assistant, would I want to go back to being a doctor within a short period of time? I used to be specific and tell people, "Yes, I want to go back to being a doctor in a year." The Welcome Back Center told me I should just say, “I want to go back when I have the opportunity.” They really helped coach me and prepare for the interviews.
The Welcome Back Center gives us so much. They help people with the English pronunciation of medical terms, they support us financially, they write letters. They keep us updated on what’s happening in the field, if we need to apply for particular credentials, and so on. It’s been really helpful. I was really happy to find out about the Welcome Back Center because when you’ve just moved here, you don’t really know anybody. You’re like a blind guy in the middle of nowhere.
The Welcome Back Center also organized a program for a group of us to visit one of the big hospitals in Seattle. The doctors there asked questions, and I answered correctly, and that helped me get the job I have now, working in a dermatology clinic.
The Welcome Back Center also gives us a support network. We recently had a meeting with 20 to 30 medical professionals from all over the world, all living in the area. The Welcome Back program creates an avenue for us all to meet together and advise each other, which really encourages people. People think, “Oh, you got a job? I can get a job, too. You passed the exam? That means I can pass an exam, too.” The WBC has also organized a study group for us.
The other thing I really appreciate about the Welcome Back program is that it gives us an organization that can speak for us. For example, they write letters for us, on our behalf, to the V.A., saying, “These people are doctors. Can they help?” When I do it, I never get a response, but when they do it, people respond.
The Welcome Back Center is like a home for a lot of people. When you’re just by yourself, it’s really difficult. You have no family, no friends, and you’re thinking, “Should I just go back?” The Center gives you someone who calls back, who replies to your e-mails. That helps and gives you hope. You’re not just a person alone.
The Welcome Back Center helped Tokunbo obtain employment in the medical field.
Kao Saechao, Educational Case Manager at Highline Community College, provides educational and career support to Tokunbo Ajayi.
