I moved to the United States from Tanzania on a scholarship to the University of Chicago. I studied economics and did really well, so I worked in banking for a while when I finished school. But then my visa expired and I couldn't get it extended. No one would hire me -- it didn't matter how capable I was.
So one day, I was walking around the city trying to think of jobs I might be able to do, and I saw windows all over the place -- and I said `That's it! I'll be a window washer.' So that's what I did. It doesn't matter if you have visa, as long as you have a Social Security number and pay taxes.
I now work as a contractor and bid on window-washing jobs. Most of them are at grocery stores, and some are at car part stores. The summer is the busiest time, and I work around 16 hours a day. It's tiring, but I'm happy with the salary. It lets me support my family.
From sleeping in offices to following senior citizens to restaurants in order to find the best "early bird specials," these people will do almost anything to save a buck.
