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Shachi Mall

How do I build a career in the US as an immigrant?

By Shachi Mall· June 22, 2026Updated June 2026· 2 min readH1B Work Visa

After more than ten years working across corporates, startups, and now my own business, I can tell you the single biggest factor that separates immigrants who thrive in the US from those who struggle: the people they surround themselves with.

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You become the person you hang out with

This is my number one takeaway from over a decade in the workforce. You become the person you hang out with. Say it again if you need to, because it really is that simple — and that powerful. It does not matter whether you are a working professional, a startup founder, or a researcher. If you are serious about building your career in the US, the community around you and the mentors guiding you will make an enormous difference to how far and how fast you go.

Why good mentorship and community matter so much for immigrants

Building a career in the US as an immigrant is not just about skills or qualifications. It is about access — access to the right people, the right opportunities, and the right guidance at the right time. A good mentor who has already walked this path can save you years of trial and error. A strong community of like-minded people means you are never navigating alone. These are not nice-to-haves. For anyone serious about growing here, they are essential.

The Extraordinary Club by Manifest Law

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I want to tell you about something I genuinely think is worth your attention. Manifest Law is launching a free community called the Extraordinary Club — built specifically for immigrants like you and me who want to grow in the US, build their careers, get access to real opportunities, and connect with people who get it. Being part of this community gives you mentorship, free resources, live events, and the ability to book one-to-one sessions with lawyers and experts in your field. That last point is huge — having direct access to legal and professional expertise is something most immigrants have to hunt for on their own.

What you get as a member

As part of the Extraordinary Club, you can expect access to events, mentorship programmes, free resources, and direct bookings with lawyers and field experts. There is already an event coming up — one in New York City and one in San Francisco — so it is the kind of community that moves quickly and puts real opportunities in front of you.

How to get on the waitlist

The Extraordinary Club is invite-only, which means you need to be on the waitlist before applications open. I highly recommend you do this sooner rather than later. And who knows — inside this community you might meet your co-founder, your best friend, your next mentor, or a business partner. That is not an exaggeration. That is exactly the kind of thing that happens when the right people find each other.

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Next steps

Continue your preparation with these resources.

Shachi Mall, U.S. visa interview preparation expert

Shachi Mall

U.S. visa interview preparation expert. Has helped 1000+ applicants prepare for F1, B1/B2, H1B, L1 and other non-immigrant visa interviews using the STAMP method.