While it might seem difficult for many students on campus to find jobs while juggling a full schedule of classes in the midst of an economic recovery, the task might be even more difficult for international students.
International students had the chance to find out what U.S. companies look for in employees at the Office of International Students and Scholars, or OISS, and MSU’s Career Services Network presentation “Navigating the U.S. Workplace” Monday at the International Center.
Graduate student Yangting Wang said she is happy OISS and Career Services Network combine to have career events because it gives herself and other international students an idea of how to prepare for their future.
“It is difficult to find jobs in the U.S., so this helps us know what to do next,” Wang said.
“It’s nice to know that OISS and Career Services is doing things like this because it shows they are thinking about our situation and taking it into consideration.”
Maya Ma, career services and placement events manager, said international students tend to have a more difficult time finding jobs in today’s market because of the confusing process of managing visas and work permits. But while some employers think hiring international students is too complicated to explore, Ma said it is simpler than people would think.
Laura Wise, OISS student adviser and experimental learning coordinator, helped put together the presentation and said it was held to show international students the resources available to help them find jobs in the U.S. The presentation outlined work permits and résumé building.
For international students to have a job in the U.S., they need work authorization, Wise said. This can come through a curricular practical training authorization, which gives F-1 status students, or non-immigrant students studying in the U.S., a visa to work for U.S. companies while taking classes.
Once students graduate, they can pursue optional practical training authorization, which allows them to extend their stay in the U.S. 17 months after graduation.
International students might have trouble finding jobs because companies aren’t as comfortable filing visas, Ma said.
But even with this setback, Wise said she wants international students to realize they have certain talents domestic students might not have.
“We want to inform international students on what they need to do to have them feel confident when talking to potential U.S. bosses about their immigration status and what they have to offer to the company,” Wise said.
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