Written by: Yasir Kurt
The International Career Collective’s (ICC) Think Tank, held on Friday, June 7th, served as a vital platform for career services professionals to gain insights and strategies tailored to the unique opportunities for international students. This focus is essential because international students bring diverse perspectives, skills, and cultural richness to U.S. campuses.
Higher education professionals play a critical role in supporting these students, and dedicated professional development opportunities are essential for equipping staff with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively serve this population. Staying updated with the latest trends, best practices, and implementation strategies ensures that professionals can provide the most effective support by creating inclusive programs that enhance the international student experience.
Having this in mind, the ICC’s Inaugural Think Tank brought in several esteemed speakers to cover some of the vital topics as we begin this journey. As we reflect on the insights and innovative ideas that emerged from our inaugural think tank event, I am honored to share my perspectives and reflections from our esteemed participants, which will undoubtedly shape the future of our community and beyond.
Self-Advocacy for International Students
I had the wonderful opportunity to moderate a fireside chat with our esteemed speaker, Devika Brij, Co-Founder of Zaka, a membership community that fosters authentic connections among first and second generation immigrant professionals across a variety of industries.
Devika shared a shocking statistic: 60% of career success hinges on the ability to advocate for yourself.
I really loved how she elaborated on this as knowing how to advocate for yourself during the negotiation process when joining an organization, and later in the workforce when seeking growth opportunities, development resources, and assistance when facing challenges, all playing a crucial role in a successful career.
As a former international student in the U.S., I find it crucial to empower international students to advocate for themselves. Developing self-advocacy skills is essential for navigating the professional landscape, significantly boosting confidence, enabling clear communication of needs and ambitions, and encouraging proactive involvement in shaping their career paths and future opportunities.
In our chat, Devika underscored how career services professionals play a pivotal role in helping international students secure jobs. What struck me most was her emphasis on the collaborative efforts needed to prepare students for success as they transition into the workforce. According to Devika, it is crucial to equip students with career/life skills (soft skills) that are integral to their overall success. Networking, in particular, emerged as a skill that can significantly enhance their professional journey, serving as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing connections and relationships in the pursuit of their goals.
Educating Employers on International Student Hiring
The panelists, Gaeun (Gwenn) Seo, Ph.D., Director of Graduate Career Development, Academic Professional, Graduate and Postdoctoral Education at Georgia Tech’s Career Center; Joseph Mercadante, Senior Associate Director of Global Employer Engagement & Strategic Outreach at New York University; and Xiao Yun Sim, Assistant Director of Employer Engagement at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago, emphasized how misconceptions and a lack of understanding about visa regulations make employers hesitant to hire international students. From my perspective, this reluctance often comes from unfamiliarity with both the legal aspects and the immense benefits these students bring to the workforce.
As the panelists shared as well, international students offer diverse skill sets, unique perspectives, and a strong work ethic that can significantly enrich any organization. However, many employers miss out on this potential due to misinformation. Therefore, higher education professionals have a pivotal role here. They can develop workshops and resources to inform employers about the legalities and benefits of hiring international students. Additionally, building partnerships with local businesses can improve hiring practices, benefiting both students and employers. Personally, I have found leveraging connections with alumni groups to be incredibly effective. Alumni build their own brands in the workforce and represent their alma maters. They can create a partnership pipeline between career services and their organizations, empowering fellow international students. From my own programming, I have observed that international alumni are empathetic towards current students’ challenges and are eager to support them. Their success and impact within their organizations clearly reflect the benefits of hiring international students.
Developing Effective Career & Life Design Courses
Joshua Gory, Director of International Student Advising & Career Coaching at Denison University; Laura Fajín Riveiro, Assistant Director of Life Design for Advanced Academic Programs in the Life Design Lab at The Johns Hopkins University; Linda LeNoir, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations & Special Projects in the University Career Center & The President’s Promise at the University of Maryland-College Park; and Rebeca Moreno-Orama, Assistant Director for Engagement and Inclusion Programs at the University of Maryland-College Park, presented on the importance of tailored career courses for international students on their campuses. From the audience’s questions and overall discussion, it is evident that there is a significant interest among career services professionals in developing these specialized courses. As a former international student and now a practitioner in this field, I believe these courses are crucial for equipping international students with the essential skills, confidence, and knowledge needed to thrive in the global job market and address their unique needs and challenges.
Tailored career and life design courses significantly enhance international students’ preparedness. By collaborating with industry experts and integrating student feedback, institutions can develop courses that tackle specific issues like cultural adaptation and professional networking. These initiatives build practical skills and instill the confidence necessary for pursuing career opportunities across diverse cultural and geographical contexts.
While creating a credit-bearing course requires extensive planning, robust support from academic affairs and leadership, and a clear strategic vision, I believe the focus should be on accessibility and engagement. To effectively develop and refine these career courses, incorporating best practices and actively seeking student feedback is essential. Collaboration with faculty and industry experts ensures the courses remain relevant and impactful.
From my perspective, a mandatory career course for international students is essential, though it does not necessarily have to be credit-bearing. With faculty support, students are likely to take the course seriously. Utilizing technology platforms like Canvas can facilitate discussion boards, self-paced learning, and other interactive elements, making the course both accessible and engaging. This approach is vital for creating an affinity group that boosts the sense of belonging and connectedness among students.
Promoting Inclusion, Equity, and Antiracism
The perfect duo, Vicky Lee, Associate Director of Career Equity, Access & Global Career Development in the Career Center at Suffolk University, and Esther Ra, Lecturer for the Wharton Communications Program for Executive MBAs and Associate Director of Career Services at the University of Pennsylvania, offered an enlightening discussion covering three pivotal topics: document representation, cultural differences, and professional communication through the lenses of Inclusion, Equity, and Antiracism.
Their emphasis on “playing by the rules of the game in order to get to the door” deeply resonated with me, reflecting advice I often convey to my international students on successfully navigating career paths and life choices, including networking, job applications, mentoring, and interviews, requires strategic thinking and understanding.
As speakers also shared, I strongly advocate for engaging in open conversations with employees at organizations of interest. This approach allows for informed decision-making by aligning personal values with organizational practices. It is important to note, as the speakers rightly pointed out, that diversity, equity, and inclusion statements on websites may not always reflect the true culture of an organization.
The suggestion to initiate cultural conversations early, particularly for master’s students with limited school terms ranging from 9 to 24 months, is invaluable. These conversations foster a sense of belonging, inform cultural insights relevant to the U.S. context, and effectively prepare students for the workforce. I believe we could do more about this. I have experienced the importance of pre-arrival communications, pre-orientation resource sharing, and hosting international students-only orientations. These initiatives are crucial for addressing many of the issues discussed in the session. They provide essential support, orient students to new academic and cultural environments, and establish early connections that facilitate a smoother transition.
Networking and leveraging LinkedIn were also highlighted, underscoring their critical role in the U.S. job market. The speakers’ emphasis on accountability among international students in initiating networking and mentoring relationships was particularly noteworthy.
Navigating the Global Career Search
I joined Hal Matthews, Associate Director of Global Careers at Duke University, and Jane Sitter, Senior International Career Consultant at the University of Minnesota in their Career Services, as a speaker to discuss Global Employability. One of the challenges we highlighted was students’ reluctance to explore opportunities beyond the U.S. Many are unaware of the abundance of opportunities abroad due to limited resources and personalized guidance.
To address this issue effectively, career services professionals must first conduct needs assessments to better understand what international students seek in terms of working outside the U.S. They should benchmark with other institutions to learn effective methods of educating and preparing students for international careers. Additionally, conducting thorough research on international job markets and visa processes is crucial to guide students effectively. As I personally conducted such research, I can confidently say that this work is pretty intensive and it involves considering various critical factors such as visa requirements and process, salary disparities (in different currencies), company reputations (often emphasizing global exposure), and the overall job market dynamics.
During the session, practical tips were shared, including offering workshops that educate students about global opportunities and employability strategies. Developing a comprehensive global job search guide and leveraging alumni networks, including LinkedIn Alumni pages, were also recommended strategies. International internships and career treks were highlighted as effective ways to increase awareness about global employability, benefiting both international and U.S born students.
As someone dedicated to advocating for international students, I strongly believe that collaborating with counselors and educational attaches from foreign countries is essential for garnering support to build a robust talent pipeline and raise awareness around advocacy work. Such collaborations facilitate partnerships with employers abroad, enhancing initiatives that promote beneficial brain circulation and bolster global employability opportunities.
Conclusion
Testimonials from participants reveal that the Think Tank’s well-organized sessions, featuring dynamic presenters, interactive room discussions, and new shared resources, are poised to transform their professional practices. Attendees praised the event’s thoughtful structure, engaging content, and the revitalization of previous program initiatives. One attended commented, “It was nice connecting with other career professionals who support international students. It was also great hearing what other schools are doing and some of the shared challenges that we and our students face.” I believe these investments in professional development will foster robust alumni networks, strengthen employer partnerships, and facilitate the creation of tailored programming and courses on the campuses of ICC partners. Ultimately, these efforts will enhance their institutional reputation and attract future international students.
None of this would have been possible without the volunteers and members of the ICC. I extend my sincere gratitude to the planning committee and all esteemed speakers for imparting their wisdom to 102 higher education professionals from 24 institutions across the United States. Your insights have equipped attendees to effectively implement newfound knowledge on their respective campuses. Your contributions have significantly enriched the success of this event and I look forward to our future in establishing support and education for our international students and their advocates on college campuses.
