Career Resources for International Students

Ciao, everyone! Instead of going home for Thanksgiving last November, I spent a week traveling in Italy with three friends. As one could imagine, it was the best week of my life; whether I was hiking through the mountainous medieval city of Gubbio, navigating the outdoor markets of Florence, or enjoying a moonlit walk by the sea in Sorrento, I had more than a great time. And as much as I love being back at school (where my old friends homework and stress keep me company), I can't help but yearn for the few days I spent as an international wanderer.

Me at the top of the mountain on which Gubbio, Italy resides. The views were, without a doubt, the best of my life.

While my travels only lasted a week, we as college students are surrounded by peers who come from all over the world and stay for long periods of time - years, for some. International students certainly do not have it easy; in addition to dealing with the everyday stresses of college, they must adapt to a new culture, and do so thousands of miles away from their loved ones. These realities don't intimidate too many, however. Recent reports (2015 Open Doors Report) show that 886,000 international students currently attend American colleges and universities, and that they contribute $27 billion to the US economy. My maiden voyage across the Atlantic gave me a newfound respect for international students, and also made me wonder what it's like for them to find internships and jobs in the US. While it is definitely difficult, the Career Center offers myriad resources specifically for international students, on topics ranging from visa logistics to adjusting to a new culture. Highlighted here are just a few resources for perhaps the most courageous among us - or at least those most accustomed to long stints away from home:

My Visa Jobs: As a social media intern, I'm partial to blogs, but this one stands alone as a great resource. Jam-packed with posts offering advice on visa applications, current events on US international student policy, and tips on the job search, My Visa Jobs is worth a click or two for any international student.

Perugia, Italy - where a friend of mine studied abroad last semester.

iHipo: This is a great database for international jobs and internships - and boy do they mean international. The three most recent postings (as of this writing anyway) are from the Netherlands, China, and the UAE. Additionally, iHipo boasts advice articles, company descriptions, and resume/CV tip sheets.

Tips for International Students (University of Michigan): This brief video provides a few tips about adjusting to American culture for international students, an important lesson for students looking to network or interview with US employers. If you're not a visual learner, the University of Virginia has a packet of information on breaking cultural barriers and some nitty-gritty info on visas.

I would do it all over again for the food alone, honestly.

GoinGlobal: This site serves as a go-to of sorts for everything an international student needs to know. With information on career trends, advice, and search processes in 40 countries, GoinGlobal should be at the top of any international student's web resources list. (GoinGlobal is a little tricky to find: log in to SIS, go to WebCenter under "Student Living", and find GoinGlobal listed under Career Center Web Resources.)

Tips for International Students (Tufts Career Center):  In addition to having links to all the above resources and more, the Career Center offers some quick tips for international students on job applications and interviewing. Before you plunge into the job or internship search, make sure you brush up on communication skills, visa status information, and your rights as an international student on the Career Center website.

Naples, Italy (There were many amazing views on this trip.)

There's no doubt about it - being an international student comes with its own unique set of challenges. The Career Center does everything it can to make sure that international students, who are a vital part of our community at Tufts, are prepared to enter the job market, in whatever country they choose to do so. So, while I plan my next trip out of America (hint: I hear London is beautiful in the spring), I hope that international students use this post, and the resources in it, to find that perfect job or internship to augment their own abroad experience!

Until next time,
Sean Boyden
Class of 2017