The immigrant chose to work in coffee.

Coffee, to begin with is a non traditional path to pursue. As Asian, particularly Filipino, I've already encountered people questioning my decision to take Culinary Arts.

But through that course I decided to shift to coffee. A beverage that one want to dedicate their life on? Eyebrows have been raised, but I keep walking with my head held high.

My mom is a nurse. My mom was petitioned by a hospital in Texas that's why we were approved to migrate, and get a greencard. Her reason for wanting to live in the United States was because she wanted to broaden the options for me and my brother for the path that we wanted to pursue.

After I finished my culinary internship, I decided to pursue coffee. It is strange because who would have thought that the girl who left the Philippines, came to the United States to work in a coffee farm, doing labor intensive work? Why would I, a Bachelor's degree holder (with honors. Ha!) want to be paid the minimum wage????

Side note: Actually I can only brag about the honors cause I grew up with flunking grades that I never expected it even from myself. I was a scholar too for singing. It doesn't really matter but carry on...

Well, think about it this way. I have to choose a profession that I'll love and work my way around it. My goal is to establish a coffee business in the Philippines one day.

In order for me to understand how the system works, I have to get involved in the system, learn the problems, find solution and create a standard that suits my vision. What I'm currently earning is enough to give me a comfortable life and save up for the next path I need to take (barely now cause inflation) If I strategize this way in the Philippines, I don't think I can live independently.

Knowing that I have the opportunity to live good in the United States while pursuing every step will save me time and money for the goal I have in mind. As a single woman, I have the means to save up for education too. I earn in dollars and SCA courses / Q grader's test fee is feasible for saving up even if I work in low paying jobs in the industry.

I see it as taking advantage of the American dream to help build & educate in The Philippines.

So yea. That being said, I firmly believe that it is a good enough reason why an immigrant would choose to work in coffee.