Welcome International Students

How Career Services Can Help You

Career Services can help you make sense of the American job search process and show you specifically:

• How to plan a search
• How to prepare materials - an American style resume and cover letter
• How to find job listings
• How to build a network and effectively use networking contacts
• How to prepare for interviews and follow up

If your program offers co-op, you may need to declare your interest in doing co-op very early in your stay here. In many departments, help preparing you for co-op is built into the program. Career Services can give you additional help if you need it.

Getting Started

• Use this website to learn the basics of job search American style
• Review the handouts section’s job search handouts
• Make an appointment with a counselor – preferably the liaison to your college

Walk in hours every day from 2 – 4 pm are NOT advised for international graduate students seeking help with their first American resume. 10 minutes is not enough time for us to help you effectively. Plan ahead and make an appointment with a counselor instead.

Career Services offers workshops for international students each fall and spring. Watch the calendar for:

Career Fair Success for International Students (before career fairs)

Friendly Advice As You Begin Your Academic Program Here:

• Re English:
  • If English is not your first language, find and use all possible opportunities to develop your spoken expressive English skills. Link to English Language Center. If you are concerned about being well understood or are concerned about your accent, ask for help.
• Re Working in the US:
  • If you hope to seek employment in the US after graduation, your chances of getting a job are greatly enhanced by work experience on your resume. Take full advantage of any opportunity you might find to do a co-op or an internship. The opportunity to work using your OPT is available to you for 1 year after you finish your program, but you must secure a job in order to use it.
  • Be aware that H1-B visas are scare. Many people who want them do not get them. Your post-graduation plans should include elements that do not depend on your getting an H1-B visa.
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  • Career Services counselors are not experts in immigration law. We may refer you to the ISSI LINK for expert advice regarding your student visa status and your legal work options. We will refer you to immigration lawyers for expert advice about post-graduation, post-OPT, and H1-B visa issues.
  • When in doubt about what your visa status allows you to do, seek expert advice: the consequences of being out of status are severe!