Same Game, Different Rules Career Development and Job Search for International Students Helda Montero, EdS, LMHC, NCC Farouk Dey, MS Career Resource Center University of Florida

Career Development Needs for International Students Greater need for vocational counseling than domestic students Greater need for vocational counseling than domestic students Motivation – Instinct theory Motivation – Instinct theory Majority expressed interest in long-term or permanent employment in the US Majority expressed interest in long-term or permanent employment in the US Lack of knowledge of employment opportunities in the US Lack of knowledge of employment opportunities in the US Lack of knowledge of INS rules and regulations Lack of knowledge of INS rules and regulations Interest in workshops to help students secure internships/full time employment in the US Interest in workshops to help students secure internships/full time employment in the US

Unemployment Around The World Industrial Countries6.9% Industrial Countries6.9% Latin America16% Latin America16% South East Asia6.5% South East Asia6.5% East Asia4% East Asia4% South Asia3.4% South Asia3.4% Sub Sahara Africa14.4 Sub Sahara Africa14.4 Middle East & North Africa13.5% Middle East & North Africa13.5% International Labor Office, 2002

Three Main Areas of Vocational Needs Career Planning and Preparation a.Career opportunities in chosen field b.Job market in home country c.Job market in the US d.Speak to a counselor/advisor about career plans e.INS rules and regulations f.American occupational system g.Plan for re-entry h.Career planning process Spencer-Rodgers, Julie & Cortijo, Antonio (1998). An Assessment of Career Development Needs for International Students Spencer-Rodgers, Julie & Cortijo, Antonio (1998). An Assessment of Career Development Needs for International Students

Three Main Areas of Vocational Needs Job Search Skills a.Job search process in the US b.American-style resume c.CV or resume for home country d.Overcome cultural differences in an American employment interview e.Overcome language barriers f.Manage illegal questions g.Develop job search strategies given INS status Spencer-Rodgers, Julie & Cortijo, Antonio (1998). An Assessment of Career Development Needs for International Students Spencer-Rodgers, Julie & Cortijo, Antonio (1998). An Assessment of Career Development Needs for International Students

Three Main Areas of Vocational Needs Work Experience a.Part-time employment b.Optional Practical Training c.Long-term or permanent employment in the US d.Develop specialized skills e.Long-term or permanent employment in home country or other foreign country Spencer-Rodgers, Julie & Cortijo, Antonio (1998). An Assessment of Career Development Needs for International Students Spencer-Rodgers, Julie & Cortijo, Antonio (1998). An Assessment of Career Development Needs for International Students

Career Planning and Preparation Career Planning and Preparation Job Search Skills Job Search Skills Work Experience Work Experience

Career Counseling and International Students Issues to consider Issues to consider –Psychosocial conditions –Acculturation levels –Language fluency Suggested practices Suggested practices –Examine appropriateness of counseling theory –Provide printed handouts explaining process –Examine appropriateness of assessment tools Career Planning and Preparation

Guidelines for Culturally Appropriate Counseling Theory Theory –Does it consider worldview? –Does it facilitate examination of the effects of gender, race and culture on the decision-making process? Assessment tools Assessment tools –Is the language level appropriate for the client? –Are the measurement constructs appropriate? –Do the tools measure outside effects on career decisions? Career Planning and Preparation

Women’s Issues Expectations of significant others Expectations of significant others Multiple role demands Multiple role demands May experience discrimination as a woman and as an international student May experience discrimination as a woman and as an international student May need additional services in assertiveness training, negotiating skills and networking May need additional services in assertiveness training, negotiating skills and networking Must consider cultural issues in delivery of services Must consider cultural issues in delivery of services Career Planning and Preparation

Career Planning and Preparation Career Planning and Preparation Job Search Skills Job Search Skills Work Experience Work Experience

Occupations in Need of International Students Between October 1999 and February 2000, H1-B visas were approved in the following areas: Systems Analysis and Programming 47.4% Systems Analysis and Programming 47.4% Electrical/Electronics Engineering 5.4% Electrical/Electronics Engineering 5.4% College and University Education 4.1% College and University Education 4.1% Accountants and Related Occupations 3.7% Accountants and Related Occupations 3.7% Immigration and Naturalization Services Job Search Skills

Advising International Students Start early! Start early! Connect with the International Center and Career Center on your campus Connect with the International Center and Career Center on your campus Gain relevant work experience (part time, summer jobs, internships) Gain relevant work experience (part time, summer jobs, internships) Consider on campus work experience to save OPT time Consider on campus work experience to save OPT time Do your research and educate yourself and employers about the process Do your research and educate yourself and employers about the process Identify employers and industries that have history of hiring F-1 students Identify employers and industries that have history of hiring F-1 students Job Search Skills

Advising International Students Contact employers directly Contact employers directly Make the most of your OPT card Make the most of your OPT card Be upfront about your status Be upfront about your status Use the right Language Use the right Language –Petition vs. Sponsor –H1B vs. Green Card You are an international student; celebrate that! You are an international student; celebrate that! Job Search Skills

Advising International Students Market yourself positively Market yourself positively Be patient and persistent Be patient and persistent Be flexible Be flexible Choose a field of study that’s in demand Choose a field of study that’s in demand Learn to cope with repeated rejection Learn to cope with repeated rejection Job Search Skills

Employers Rate Effectiveness of Recruiting Methods Organization’s internship programs Organization’s co-op programs On-campus recruiting Employee referrals Career/job fairs Faculty contacts Company website Printed job postings to career offices Student Organizations/Clubs Internet Job postings to career offices3.4 NACE’s Job Outlook 20035=Extremely Effective, 1=Not Effective Job Search Skills

Do Internships work for International Students? 53% of surveyed international students received job offers through their internships 53% of surveyed international students received job offers through their internships Students fear wasting OPT time on internships that may not lead to a full time position Students fear wasting OPT time on internships that may not lead to a full time position –Check the hiring history of the company –Consider working on campus Job Search Skills

Career Planning and Preparation Career Planning and Preparation Job Search Skills Job Search Skills Work Experience Work Experience

Employers Rate The Importance of Experience 1. Relevant Work Experience Internship Experience Any Work Experience Co-op Experience3.2 NACE’s Job Outlook 20035=Extremely Effective, 1=Not Effective Work Experience

Challenges Facing F-1 Students Perceived complexities of the hiring process Perceived complexities of the hiring process Employers not familiar with the process Employers not familiar with the process Perceived lack of commitment to the job and the organization Perceived lack of commitment to the job and the organization Employers’ concerns about the candidate’s communication skills Employers’ concerns about the candidate’s communication skills 9/11 syndrome 9/11 syndrome –Fear of terrorism links –Patriotism and fear of taking jobs away from qualified US citizens Work Experience

The Process Optional Practical Training (OPT) Optional Practical Training (OPT) –Authorized by INS –Valid F1 Status –full time student for at least 1 year –Work full time in the field of study for 12 months after graduation –Process may take up to 90 days –A job offer is NOT necessary –Not a re-entry visa Work Experience

The Process H1-B Work Visa H1-B Work Visa –Authorized by INS –195,000 visas issued in 2003 (65,000 in 2004) –Employer files a petition to keep candidate for a maximum of 6 years –Process may take up to days –$130 petition fees (+ $1000 unless exempt by law) –Serves as a re-entry visa Work Experience

Best Practices International student binder in reference library International student binder in reference library Targeted workshop series Targeted workshop series Targeted information on website Targeted information on website Targeting existing services Targeting existing services Providing training for staff on legal and immigration issues Providing training for staff on legal and immigration issues “Going on the road”- increasing accessibility “Going on the road”- increasing accessibility

Helpful Websites om om om om m m m m

References Immigration and Naturalization Services Immigration and Naturalization Services Lantz, Caprice. US Employment: Challenges for International Students Lantz, Caprice. US Employment: Challenges for International Students Spencer-Rodgers, Julie & Cortijo, Antonio (1998). An Assessment of Career Development Needs for International Students Spencer-Rodgers, Julie & Cortijo, Antonio (1998). An Assessment of Career Development Needs for International Students NACE’S Job Outlook NACE’S Job Outlook Dunham, Kemba. Foreign M.B.A. Grads find Few Job Openings. Wall Street Journal. Dunham, Kemba. Foreign M.B.A. Grads find Few Job Openings. Wall Street Journal.

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