Marquette University Job Search Guide

Class Checklists

International Students Most international students (F-1 visa) usually have chosen a major or have a good idea of what they want to study by the time they arrive as freshmen at Marquette. Listed here are tips and resources specific to international students. These should be used in addition to the services and resources listed for all students.

† Research careers using on-line resources, informational interviewing, job shadowing, and networking with professionals in your career interest area.

† Identify skills employers seek and transferable skills you possess.

† Begin building your professional network using the MU Connect: Career Alumni Network database.

† Gain skills through career-related experiences, such as internships, co-ops, part-time or summer jobs, volunteer activities and service learning F-1 visa students have the possibility of doing one year of Curricular Practical Training (CPT) which allows an international student to participate in special required academic work programs or possibly do internships for academic credit. If you have the opportunity to use Curricular Practical Training (CPT), take advantage of it as students are more competitive if they have had one or two internships. † Develop a resume and e-mail it as an attachment to be critiqued to career.services@marquette.edu. Develop an excellent American resume. In general, American resumes contain information that speak to your ability, skills and experience to do a certain job. Employers cannot ask questions that go beyond your ability to do a job. For example, you should not put personal information on the resume like your age, race or your parents’ occupations. † Register with MU CareerTRAK to view full-time positions, participate in on campus interviews, and become eligible for the resume referral program. There are more jobs in the U.S. open to international students in the technical fields: computer science, IT and engineering. Jobs are also a bit more in demand in the accounting field. However, when the economy is soft, it is more difficult for F-1 students to find a position. If you cannot find a position in the U.S., your next best plan may be to seek an international job. Since you have studied abroad, know two or more languages and have an excellent degree, you make a good employment prospect for worldwide employers. Research companies that tend to issue H1-B sponsorships. Many employers do not want to sponsor H1-B visas for the following reasons: • They are unfamiliar with the process and know that hiring an American is much easier. Therefore it helps if the international student knows the process and can explain the steps in detail. • Fear that the international student will sooner or later want to return to the home country. Training costs employers. (In big companies, the hiring and training of one employees costs upwards of $8,000.) • Lack of top language skills. Many employers expect employees to have excellent communication skills. Even though international students can speak and write English, it is often not at the standard that employers desire. • Some employers feel that by issuing H1-B visas, they are depriving Americans of positions. Therefore the international student must be able to explain that the government allows around 65,000 H1-B visas each year and that if a visa is not issued to you, it will go to another student for another company. † Practice your interviewing skills. Get interviewing feedback through a mock interview. Don’t be afraid to sell yourself! Let employers know your skills and what challenges you have overcome by studying abroad. † Attend career fairs so that you can talk to many employers in a short time span, present them with your resume, and verbally give them a short summary of what you have to offer. † Develop a job search plan. Need help? Make an appointment with a career counselor.

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Internship and Job Search Guide x Marquette University x Career Services Center