My Friend has an previous arrest record, but after wards obtained a degree. Having trouble finding a job.?

My Friend has an previous arrest record, but after wards obtained a degree. Having trouble finding a job.?
A friend of mine has an arrest record and afterwards, she turned her life around and graduated in the top percentile of her class. She figured information systems was what she wanted to do after she went down the wrong path. Background checks have prevented her from getting hired in her field , but she is now leading a good life. What advice can I give her? Restaurant jobs are not getting her where she wants to be financially, especially since she can't get promoted. She is in New Jersey. All advice is welcome.
Do you think starting her own consulting or computer repair business might be an option?

she might try to start working at the entry level job and work her way up. i really applaud and respect her for doing this and trying to turn her life around. i know a lot of people at work that got away with things. sometimes she might want to work or join church to get networking with people. i personally know someone who was fired three times in her life, but you know something i would definitely hire my friend because i know her character personally and a lot of times employers just give too much power to what the supervisors said on the paper and a lot of times it is not even true. it all depends on how you deal with it. if your friend is a church going person, i would highly recommend this because the pastor will know her personally and networking is always a good way to go. also, start volunteering at the library or something just to get to know people. i wish her lots of luck and do not give up.

It is a big wide world out there.

why stay in the US if she cannot get a break ?

She could make a new start and a new life in a new country

Why does she have to work full time ,if she has a degree in information tech why not freelance or subcontract?

I think she needs to take a job as an assistant to an IT person, prove herself, and then try to move up... Depending on the arrest record, I wouldnt hire her either... With IT, you deal with a LOT of confidential info, so if she has a past of not being trustworthy, she will have to prove herself.