In this issue: - International Students - National Career Week - Career Spotlight - Career Coffee Blog
WS U C a re e r S ervices
Hire-a-Shocker Issue 07 / 11.12.12
How can an international student find a job in the U.S.? Step One: Talk to the Advisers in your International Student Office
Each student’s situation is unique, so be sure to consult with an international student adviser so you will know YOUR options and restrictions. Your options as a currently enrolled student are different from your options as an alumnus, so make sure you know what you can and cannot do. Typically, on-campus employment is a more viable option for currently enrolled international students. If earning money is your objective, that may be your best path. If gaining experience is your objective, doing some relevant volunteer work or completing an internship for academic credit may be an option.
Step Two: Research Your Options There are a number of resources available to help international students assess their job prospects and options in the U.S. and find job opportunities. Here are a few that might be helpful: - InternationalStudent.com - http://www.internationalstudent.com/ - Work in the U.S. - http://www.usa.gov/visitors/work.shtml - Working in the USA - http://www.uscis.gov/ - CoolWorks.com - http://www.coolworks.com/international-job-seekers/ - RedBus2US Blog - http://redbus2us.com/ - American Educational Group Blog - http://aegedu.com/blog/ - H1Base - http://www.h1base.com/
Step Three: Understand the Job Market in your Field Make no mistake, unless you are in a high demand field (e.g., you majored in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math – STEM – field) it is challenging for an international student to find employment in the U.S. after graduation. Why is that? U.S. employers must first consider candidates who are U.S. citizens or who already have permanent work authorization in the U.S. This is the primary candidate pool. When that pool does not yield enough qualified candidates, employers start considering candidates with temporary work authorization (e.g., recent graduates with OPT authorization) and candidates needing employer sponsorship to get an H-1B work visa.
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Vault’s Career Insider
Career Services and the Wichita State University Libraries in conjuction with Vault.com arranged for students to have free, unrestricted privileges to the largest most comprehensive online career resource available. Begin at the Career Services website www.wichita.edu/career. Click on Career Exploration on the left side of the page and then on Vault’s Career Insider. Whether you are writing your first resume or seeking information on how to launch a career in a specific industry, you will want to check out the guide section. The career guides are downloadable tools that contain advice from the experts. Other sections include information on companies, industries and professions. A special feature titled “A day in the life” offers an insider look at various jobs. Read industry blogs covering the latest trends and issues. You can also upload your resume and search the job board. The content is updated daily, so be sure to visit the site frequently.
How can an international student find a job in the U.S.? Continued from page 1...
Courtesy of the Campus Career Coach Blog, www.thecampuscareercoach.com
Step Three: Understand the Job Market in your Field - continued Candidates with OPT temporary work authorization have some appeal but are available only for a limited period of time (the duration of their visa), and unless that employer is willing to sponsor you after completing your OPT, they simply will have to let you go at the conclusion of your OPT (which is just about when you will be fully trained and able to contribute!). Candidates needing employer sponsorship are most appealing when employers really don’t have any other options. This is a bit of a last resort because it costs money and time for an employer to sponsor an employee for a work visa, and the government only allocates a certain number of work visas per year (typically in STEM areas!). So, if you do not have permanent work authorization in the U.S., you have to work extra hard to position yourself as a viable candidate to prospective employers. You don’t have the option of just submitting applications online and hoping for an interview. By the way – that strategy doesn’t work well for anyone! Employers typically only mention their position on hiring/sponsoring international candidates (citizenship requirements) when they need to do so to attract candidates. To my knowledge there isn’t a site or sites where employers post all of their jobs with that information front-and-center in the postings.
Step Four: Pursue Employment Finding employment in the U.S. is challenging for international students, so you have to do everything you can to position and present yourself as a competitive candidate. You have to give employers a reason to consider you over other candidates that already have work authorization. How do you do that? Focus on the aspects of your qualifications that make you unique. What do you offer that other similarly qualified candidates do not? Language skills, relevant cultural knowledge, technical skills or expertise, specific and relevant education and training. Show how and why you are unique. Develop an in-depth understanding of the field you wish to enter. How well do you really understand the profession you wish to enter? Who are the major employers? What are the employment trends? Be ready to answer two key interview questions: What do you know about our industry? What do you know about our company? Leverage your existing professional contacts and grow your profession network. Your best assets in any job search are the people in your personal and professional network of contacts that know you and your capabilities. Seek out their advice and assistance and work to grow the size and diversity of your professional network.
Career Coffee Blog...By Jan Mead Resumes for International Students If you are an international student studying at Wichita State University, and will be applying for jobs in the United States, you will want to revise your resume from the one you used in your country. A review of our Starter Kit is a good place to begin. In addition, the points below are important to take into consideration. Resumes in the United States are concise records of your accomplishments educationally and in the work place. One page should be sufficient length for your resume unless you have extensive professional experience. Much of the information you would include on your resume in your home country is not needed -
Career Spotlight: Geoscientists Geoscientists study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. They may use geological, physical, and mathematical knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. They study the Earth’s geologic past and present by using sophisticated instruments to analyze the composition of earth, rock, and water. Some search for natural resources such as groundwater and petroleum, and others work with scientists to preserve and clean up the environment.
Geoscientists usually study and work in one of several closely related geosciences fields, including geology, geophysics, and hydrology. Geologists study the composition and history of the Earth, and the evolution of life. Geophysicists use physics, mathematical, and chemistry principles to study the Earth’s surface, as well as its internal composition, ground and surface waters, atmosphere, oceans, and magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Hydrologists study properties of water and the water cycle. or wanted by U.S. employers. Do not include your photograph, health information, your birth date or age, marital status, race or ethnicity, religion, high school information, or personal interests or hobbies. If you are using an American name, include your given name. If not, information indicating how to pronounce your given name may be helpful to employers. Convert your grade point average to a 4.00 scale and include if it is a 3.00 or above. If you have work experience in a country outside the U.S., it is a good idea to include an explanation of the size and type of organization(s). We are here to help you with your career and job search questions. If you need assistance, stop by or call today to schedule an appointment. We will give you guidance and resources to create a resume you will be proud of.
Geoscientists need at least a Bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions. A Ph.D. is necessary for most high-level research and college teaching positions. Most geosciences programs include geology courses in mineralogy, petrology, and structural geology. Besides taking classes in geology, most programs require students to take courses in other physical sciences, mathematics, engineering, and computer science. Employment of geoscientists is projected to grow by 21% from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. The need for energy, environmental protection, and responsible land and resource management will increase demand for geoscientists in the future. Who hires geoscientists? - Consulting Firms - State and Federal EPA - State/U.S. Geological Surveys - Universities - Engineering Firms
- Environmental Firms - Land Management - Petroleum Companies - City Planning Offices - Mining Companies - U.S. Government Agencies - State and Federal Highway Dpts. - Secondary, Junior, and Middle Schools
What kind of on-campus job should I get? By Matt Berndt, Campus Career Coach Blog
Claresta from the University of Massachusetts – Boston asked: I’m a sophomore international student. I’m currently looking for on-campus jobs and volunteer opportunities because I don’t have any work experience. What type of jobs/positions I should consider? First, I commend you for thinking about a job and getting experience early in your college career. This is a wise move, because most employers want to see candidates with more than just a college degree when they graduate. Your question is really broad; so broad, in fact, that in order to answer it, you have to answer a few other questions first. Such as: - What type of experience are you looking for? - What is your primary objective in finding a campus job? Money? General/specific experience? - What skills do you offer? - What types of work environments suit you best? - What do you like to do? Here are a few ideas for you to consider: If you are an accounting or finance major, you might check with the Financial Aid Office or the Development Office to see if they have any work-study positions available. Both of these offices deal with money, budgets and finances, so working there could benefit you.
Hire-a-Shocker Tips Students ask: How do I find a job on campus? Hire-a-Shocker is the system where WSU departments and offices post jobs, including those available to international students.
Students:
Log in to Hire-a-Shocker from your myWSU homepage to view current listings. Go to: Job Search > Position Type > On Campus > - On Campus: Regular - On Campus: Graduate Student - On Campus: Workstudy
If you like sports and recreation, check out your campus gym or rec center. Student workers in these departments often gain exposure to intramural sports and event management, athletic facility management, wellness, and other related fields. Interested in healthcare? Check out opportunities at the student health center. Psychology? Go to the Psychology Department to see if they need any student workers or if any faculty are looking for undergraduate research assistants. Public Relations? Talk to you campus public affairs office, the admissions department or the sports information office. Hospitality? Look into opportunities and residence life and housing. I could go on and on, but I won’t! The point here is to let your interests lead your exploration and put yourself in a position to be around other people (particularly working professionals) who share your interests. You should also consider the work environment. Do you work best in a traditional office environment, a retail environment, indoors or outdoors, a service organization? Do you prefer working independently or in groups? Do you see yourself working in business, education, government, non-profit? Getting experience to complement your degree is important, but you should spend some time defining what you hope to get out of the experience before you start looking so you will know what types of positions to pursue. Talk to the career advisers at your university. They can help you sort through your options and, perhaps, refer you to departments on your campus that might need some student help.
All you need to know about...
On Campus: Regular jobs
What is it?
On Campus: Graduate Student jobs
The world’s largest free professional networking site, like Facebook for business and professionals.
What can I use it for? *Networking - connect with past, current, and future employers and coworkers to stay in touch and build professional relationships. *Career Branding - develop a profile that tells your educational and career story and sells you to potential employers. *Job Search - get job recommendations and access a nationwide job search engine *Company/Industry Research - search for and learn more about companies or join groups to stay up to date on the latest topics in your chosen industry.
How do I get started? *Sign up for free at www.linkedin.com *Check out videos about how to set up the ideal profile and other great ways to use Linkedin at http://learn.linkedin.com/students/step-1/ *Start building your network with past or current classmates, coworkers, and supervisors.
Tips for a successful profile: *Don’t be a stranger! Employers can be skeptical if you lack a photo. Upload a clear picture of just your head and shoulders. *Watch your links! It’s a great idea to link your website or Twitter account to Linkedin if it is relevant to your work. If it is unrelated or you wouldn’t want all of your potential employers to see a post or tweet, don’t link. *Be skimmable and specific! Don’t ramble in your descriptions. Be to the point, but be sure to include important details. Use numbers and percentages in addition to bullet points and strong action verbs.
- Undergraduate positions - Occasionally open to graduate students
- Searches begin as early as February for Fall semesters - Work is generally not specific to your major
Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) and Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) jobs: - Most are arranged directly through your college - Check with your dean’s office for details
On Campus: Workstudy jobs - Require financial aid - Undergraduate positions
Hire-a-Shocker If you’re looking for a job, you need to check out Hire-a-Shocker, our online recruitment system. Post your resume and search for part-time, full-time, degreed and nondegreed positions, including oncampus opportunities. Hire-a-Shocker also shows which employers are coming to career events and allows you to apply for on-campus interviews.
Career Development Week sponsored by the National Career Development Association is celebrated November 12-16. In keeping with career-related activities, the Office of Career Services asked faculty and staff, “When you were a kid, what did you want to be?” These are a few of the responses we received for ‘wish-upon-a-star’ career dreams. Tennis Player/Doctor - Phil Ladwig Child Psychologist - Jillian Hoefer Pro Baseball Player - Steven Larson Archaeologist/Teacher - Trish Inslee Pro Basketball Player - Bobby Gandu Nurse - Debbie Kennedy Pro Baseball Player - Joe Kleinsasser Photographer - Lisa Wiebe 2nd Baseman - Red Sox - Eric Maki Singer - Camille Childers Nurse - Gayle Veltman Stop by Grace Wilkie Hall, room 203 and check out each response, and tell us what your ‘wish-upon-a-star’ career dream is, and fill out your own star!
Career Development Week Office Hours In the next issue:
Monday through Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fall 2012 Events
Walk-In Hours
- Congrats Grads
Nov. 27 - Sales Panel 5:30 pm Clinton Hall 206
- Graduating Student Surveys
Spring 2013 Events
- Hire-a-Shocker Stats
Feb. 18 - Education Interview Day
Notice of Nondiscrimination
Apr. 12 - Physical Therapy Career Fair
Wichita State University does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, status as a veteran, genetic information or disability. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies: Director, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Wichita State University, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita KS 67260-0205; telephone (316) 978-6791.
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