What International Students Should Know
Morehouse College campus resources can be a valuable resource in your job and internship search. Many International students have found internships and employment in the United States by utilizing campus resources. Be aware, however, that some employers interviewing through Morehouse College and AUC career services offices will not hire students who are not U.S. citizens. Though this may limit your ability to participate in some campus interviews, there are numerous ways to find internships and employment by utilizing campus resources.
Morehouse College Career Services Resources:
As an international student, you should clear employment-related information with Ms. Gwen Wade, Director for the Office of International Student Services (OISS) (located in the Leadership Center, room 322, gwade@morehouse.edu , 404-681-2800 x2728). You should cross reference Ms. Wade with any information you receive from your future employer.
Business Majors see Ms. Pat Bowers, Career Planning and Placement for Business Majors, Leadership Center room 222. pbowers@morehouse.edu 404-681-2800 x2644
Non Business Majors see, Kellye Blackburn Eccles, Career Planning and Placement for Non Business Majors, Sale Hall Annex. kblackbu@morehouse.edu 404-215-2703
Office of Health Careers, Mr. Ajit Samarasinghe, Nabrit-Mapp-McBay room 30, asamaras@morehouse.edu, 404-614-8561
Office of Research Careers, Dr. John Brown, Nabrit-Mapp-McBay room 107, jpbrown@morehouse.edu, 404-572-3635
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Attend sessions on job search strategies and related topics. |
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Work with the career services staff to develop your job search strategy. |
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Attend campus career fairs and company information sessions to inquire about employment and internship opportunities for international students and to practice your networking skills. |
It’s a good idea to get advice from other international students who have successfully found internships and employment in this country and to start your job search early. Create and follow a detailed plan of action that will lead you to your dream job.
International Student Internship and Employment Information
Looking for a job is not easy for any student. For you,
the international student, the job search process can be more
difficult because of employment limitations and restrictions
for international students. Additional information about the
employment process and related topics can be found through your
career center and on the Internet. It is important when researching
internship and full time opportunities to obtain information
on each employer’s policy regarding international hires.
Many international students have found internship and full time employment opportunities with Many Fortune 500 companies, specifically financial services companies. Because larger companies are able to afford the fees required to sponsor an international hire.
International Students have also found successful internship placements with National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (internships) www.nafeo.org or http://www.nafeo.org/nafeo/internships.php and the United Negro College Fund (internships) www.uncf.org
If you are an International Student and you want permission to work during the Academic Year, print out and complete the Curricular Practical Training Form.
International Internships and Employment Resources
Going
Global
The Going Global Career Guides/Global Key
Employer Directory Database is the ultimate international
job seeker's guide! This massive research tool contains
more than 10,000 resources for finding employment at home
and abroad. Over 25,000 employer listings have been specially
selected to reflect companies where professional opportunities
are more likely to be available. This online database also
contains more than 10,000 international job openings and
internship positions and over 100,000 listings in cities
across the United States.
Erecruiting
Erecruiting is an Internet based recruitment program.
An Erecruiting account will allow you to view a listing of employers
who are coming to campus to interview for internships and full
time jobs. Erecruiting will allow you to review job descriptions,
access employer recruitment contact persons, link to company
websites and sign up for interviews.
Obtain an Erecruiting account from your career advisor.
Business Majors see Ms. Pat Bowers, Career Planning and Placement for Business Majors, Leadership Center room 222.
Non Business Majors see, Kellye Blackburn Eccles, Career Planning and Placement for Non Business Majors, Sale Hall Annex.
Key Tips for International Students Looking for Internships in the U.S. (Information obtained with permission from the Howard University Career Services website)
Say you're a talented young British college student who, like
the Teletubbies, longs to make a successful leap across the pond
and become the always hilarious fish out of water in America.
Or maybe you're a German business student whose lifelong wish
is to join the ranks of one of the historic U.S. financial institutions
that is regularly covered in the Wall Street Journal.
Or maybe you're a Tokyo University economics major tired of watching The
Simpsons and not getting the American pop culture references.
Whatever the reason, you've decided you'd like to spend
a summer in the land of fast food, firearms, and 64-ounce sodas.
But now comes the hard part: finding and bagging the internship
that will make it all happen.
What Are Your Qualifications?
If you're an international student in search of a U.S.
internship, you need to realistically assess your qualifications
for working in America. Keep in mind that in most cases you will
be competing with U.S. students for internship positions. Companies
need to know what is unique about your background and why they
should hire you instead of your U.S. counterpart.
A visa or work permit is required, unless you're lucky
enough to have dual citizenship. Fluency in English and strong
written English skills are generally a must. A clearly defined
area of study and related previous work experience will help show
your commitment to the job and potential as a long-term employee.
Your native language may also be a valuable asset if a company
has dealings with your home country.
Where Are the Opportunities?
The next step is finding the opportunities. Thanks to
the Internet, it has become much easier in recent years to find
out about internships. Check out the websites of the U.S firms
you're interested in. Go to the career section and look for any
listed internship opportunities.
If a website doesn't have any internship information,
e-mail the company to explain your situation and ask if it has
opportunities for someone like you. If you get a response, send
a résumé and a cover letter.
Also try the alumni resources center at your school.
Find out about present and past students who have landed internships
in the U.S. Target companies with a history of hiring foreign
students.
Numerous organizations specialize in placing international
students abroad. One is the global student organization AIESEC,
which has an international trainee exchange that matches students
and recent graduates with international clients.
Another is the Council on International Educational Exchange
(CIEE), which works in collaboration with 300 higher-education
institutions in Europe to place students in curriculum-related
U.S. internships that last from six months up to a year. Its website
allows students to search for internships by field, region and,
whether they are paid or unpaid.
Other good resources include Peterson's Internships,
an annual guide with a special chapter for international students.
Your summer can also go a long way toward landing you a full-time job in the States after you finish school—not to mention all the cultural oddities you'll learn. And at least for a summer, your accent will make you an instant hit. Americans love foreign accents.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Regulations
As an international student, you should clear
employment-related information with Ms. Gwen Wade, Director
for the Office of International Student Services (OISS)
(located in the Leadership Center, room 322, gwade@morehouse.edu,
404-681-2800 x2728). You should cross reference Ms. Wade
with any information you receive from your future employer.
Strong Communication Skills
You can help the employer make an informed hiring
decision if you:
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Provide a well-prepared resume that includes desirable skills and relevant employment experiences. |
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Clearly convey your interests and ability to do the job in an interview. |
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Understand English when spoken to you and can effectively express your thoughts in English. |
It’s important to be able to positively promote yourself and talk with confidence about your education, relevant skills and related experiences. Self-promotion is rarely easy for anyone. But, it can be especially difficult for individuals from cultures where talking about yourself in an assertive manner is considered inappropriate. When interviewing in the United States, however, you are expected to be able to explain your credentials and why you are suitable for the position.
Be sensitive to the interviewer’s verbal and nonverbal cues. Some international students may not realize when their accent is causing them to be misunderstood. Interviewers are sometimes too embarrassed or impatient to ask for clarification, so be on the lookout for nonverbal clues, such as follow-up questions that don’t match your responses or sudden disinterest on the part of the interviewer. Also, make sure you express proper nonverbal communication; always look directly at the employer in order to portray confidence and honesty. If your English language skills need some work, get involved with campus and community activities. These events will allow you to practice speaking English. The more you use the language, the more proficient you will become. These activities are also a great way to make networking contacts.Contact, Ms. Gwen Wade, Director for the Office of International Student Services (OISS) located in the Leadership Center, room 322.
