4 ms·

Interesting article. I agree with the conclusion that the ability to attract talent is one of the secrets behind the Valley's success. Which is why I see US imm

Interesting article. I agree with the conclusion that the ability to attract talent is one of the secrets behind the Valley's success. Which is why I see US immigration policy as a major impedance to its' continued success. I am subject to US immigration policy's myself and have to fear for deportation in about a year's time when my current visa runs out. I will be moving to the West Coast after graduating from school in Boston precisely because of this unique mix of talent, creativity, courage and craziness that are going on in the Valley. With the huge surge in housing prices and the above mentioned immigration policies, I am not sure however how long this trend is currently still sustainable. Nonetheless looking forward to the experience.

jmspring 11y ago
One thing that occurred in the 60s and 70s that doesn't happen now is that companies actually invested in their employees and had significant amounts of training available. Hell, even in the 80s, before divestiture, I recall AT&T sending my parents (who both worked for the phone company) to classes on a regular basis. My dad sometimes teaching a class or two in Illinois (he'd be gone for a week). Then and now, it takes curiosity, drive, as well as time and availability to continue to learn. For some of us, it is easy, for others that may have significant commitments, etc, taking time to learn something during what may be private/family time is hard -- people similar to this group had the opportunity to learn as part of their job back in the day. My problem with US immigration policy isn't about those that come here to study, get an advanced degree and then start at a good role at a company (or start something). The problem I have is that many many companies are looking for a capable body at the lowest possible dollar and don't want to invest in their employees. IBM is a classic example of going from the former to the latter. Before I am comfortable opening the doors wider, I'd like to see a bit of balance brought back. We already see the fraud of the private "for profit" universities -- Heald (for instance) -- making promises, taking money, and not amounting to much. We aren't going to go back to the day of companies investing as much in their employees as they did in the 60s-80s, primarily because we are at a different point in time and a number of people move around regularly. All that said, we are missing methods and structures to help those I mentioned above (those hardest hit in the various bubbles) to facilitate growth and learning.
bsbechtel 11y ago
>>I agree with the conclusion that the ability to attract talent is one of the secrets behind the Valley's success. This has more or less been the secret to the US becoming the most powerful country in the world as well, not just SV. It's a shame that our attitudes towards immigrants has changed so dramatically in the past 20 years.

jmspring 11y ago

One thing that occurred in the 60s and 70s that doesn't happen now is that companies actually invested in their employees and had significant amounts of training available. Hell, even in the 80s, before divestiture, I recall AT&T sending my parents (who both worked for the phone company) to classes on a regular basis. My dad sometimes teaching a class or two in Illinois (he'd be gone for a week). Then and now, it takes curiosity, drive, as well as time and availability to continue to learn. For some of us, it is easy, for others that may have significant commitments, etc, taking time to learn something during what may be private/family time is hard -- people similar to this group had the opportunity to learn as part of their job back in the day. My problem with US immigration policy isn't about those that come here to study, get an advanced degree and then start at a good role at a company (or start something). The problem I have is that many many companies are looking for a capable body at the lowest possible dollar and don't want to invest in their employees. IBM is a classic example of going from the former to the latter. Before I am comfortable opening the doors wider, I'd like to see a bit of balance brought back. We already see the fraud of the private "for profit" universities -- Heald (for instance) -- making promises, taking money, and not amounting to much. We aren't going to go back to the day of companies investing as much in their employees as they did in the 60s-80s, primarily because we are at a different point in time and a number of people move around regularly. All that said, we are missing methods and structures to help those I mentioned above (those hardest hit in the various bubbles) to facilitate growth and learning.

bsbechtel 11y ago

>>I agree with the conclusion that the ability to attract talent is one of the secrets behind the Valley's success. This has more or less been the secret to the US becoming the most powerful country in the world as well, not just SV. It's a shame that our attitudes towards immigrants has changed so dramatically in the past 20 years.