Reading maketh a full man; Conference, a ready man; and writing, an exact man.

—Francis Bacon

EDUCATED immigrants from former colonial countries schooled in either the British or American educational system can speak, read and write the English language at varying levels of competency. Even during these troubled economic times when jobs are scarce, this advantage gives them a leg up in this highly competitive labor market. Traditionally, in the last decade or so, India and the Philippines and a few others have become source countries from which prospective employers of small to medium-sized companies have been recruiting their work force from.

While it is true that at the onset, one can certainly get by with a college diploma, a marketable skill and some work experience to get one’s foot in the door of the immigrant labor market, the learning experience for the immigrant should not stop after graduating from high school, vocational school or college. Learning, which begins with the reading habit, is lifelong. Reading holds the key to the full enjoyment of what our mortal lives have to offer.