Community Influences on the Occupational Adaptation of Vietnamese Refugees

The economic integration of refugees is a primary goal of refugee resettlement policy. Most people encourage refugees to enter the labor market as quickly as possible, but few agree on the best route to employment. Some people encourage refugees to work immediately, taking any available job, while others counsel refugees to enroll in job training immediately in hopes of starting with a better job. The paper describes the occupational adaptation of Vietnamese refugees to electronics technician jobs. It focuses on the role of the refugee community in both shaping members'job choice and in helping its members use their occupational attainment as a source of pride. The paper also includes suggestions for refugee resettlement policy.