International @ Isenberg

Kimberly Figueroa, Career Coach

International Student Career Success Webinar Series

• 20+ Years @ Isenberg
• Work with both Grad and UGrad students
• Experience working with International Students
• LinkedIn Lover

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/kfigueroa/

1. Not average!!!
2. NOT only focused on GPA
3. Start internship/job search earlier than their peers
4. Discover – OR create opportunities to build/strengthen skills
5. Know how to talk about their unique skills/strengths/interests and why those align with employer job requirements and company culture
6. Choose both well-know employers and alternative employers PLUS consider Cap Exempt opportunities
7. Are superb at creating a “Findable” LinkedIn (and other social media) profile
8. Empower themselves to talk about their Visa work authorization with employers

International Student Seeking US Employment Are:

International @ Isenberg

1. Learn about and Leverage resources
2. Attend IPO Workshops to educate yourself about CPT and OPT
3. Create opportunities for extra curricular “entrepreneurial” or project work
4. Meet and engage with professors about academic interests, seek their input on potential research opportunities

3. Build Community with Other F1 Students

• Reach out to peers to create a “Professional Development Meet Up” group
• Share best practices with each other
• Encourage and provide feedback to each other

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A “CAN DO” Attitude Reflects American Culture

Best Practices

1. Read Student Emails & Use IConnect
2. Meet regularly with Career Coach & Develops an A, B and C plan
3. Learn about CPT/OPT via Umass IPO sessions and website
4. Attend employer events
5. Build proficiency with and leverage Interstride

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6. Devote time to building networking confidence

7. Advance English language skills

8. Develop Value Prop and confidence to communicate It
9. Schedule time (on your calendar) for Career Development activities
10. Seek experiential opportunities to Up Skill

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Resources for Career Success

Create Your Value Proposition

Build your Value Profile…and seek ways to advance your strengths

Interests

Why this major?

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What problems do you like to work on?

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What do you spend a lot of time thinking about?

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What problems in the world would you like to help solve?

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What books, movies, music do you enjoy and why?

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What skills do you enjoy using the most?

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Skills

List Skills (Transferrable)

EX:

• Communication
• Collaboration
• Time management
• Personal motivation

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Technical Skills

• Software, operating systems, hardware, basic coding

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Analytical Skills

• Critical Thinking
• Computational
• Statistical analysis

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Data Analytics

• Data mining
• Data visualization

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Experience

Cultural/Travel

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Academic Experiences

• Projects
• Achievements
• Skills gained

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Work Experiences

• Paid
• Unpaid
• Internship
• Externship
• Virtual/ Simulated

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Extra Curricular

• Athletics
• Clubs/Orgs
• LinkedIn Learning/other
• Entrepreneurial

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Language

List Languages & indicate Fluency

EX:

English: Verbal (Fluent) Written (Intermediate) Read (Fluent)

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Are these languages desired by employers?

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How can I improve my language proficiency?

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• ESL classes
• Watch American TV/Movies
• Live with an American Roommate
• Join clubs with different people
• Read publications/books
• Listen to podcasts, youtube, etc
• Practice with American friends

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I = Interests

S = Skills

E = Experience

L = Languages

I S

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E L

Chart Your value Prop!

Current, Sought After Content…….at Your Fingertips

Forage Work Simulation Experiences

1. KeyWords on Resume
• Skills
• Company/Industry

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2. Skill UP!

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3. Complete Work that Simulates Real Life in a Company

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4. Confidence Booster

FREE LinkedIn Learning Classes

• Add Keywords to Your Resume & LinkedIn profile
• Build confidence in Desired Skills
• Bragging Rights!
• Change monthly in IConnect

Job Board: Companies That Sponsor

VISA Insights: What Jobs Get Sponsored/ #s of Petitions

Community & Networking with Alumni and Current Students

Current Immigration, Job Search, Recruiting Content: Live and On Demand Webinars

Job Board: Companies That Sponsor , Jobs Sponsored LAST YEAR

Country Insights RE: Living, Working, Culture

A Primary Tool

PRO TIP: Use BOTH Interstride + Handshake

UMass Handshake: UMass’s Job Board

USE FILTERS

PARAGON ONE EXTERNSHIPS

WHY PARAGON ONE - “Hidden Gem”

1. Undergrad & Grad
2. Virtual, Global Team
3. 8 Wks, 10 Hrs a Week
4. Summer/Semester
5. Real Projects interacting with Companies
6. Unpaid – DO NOT need to use CPT
7. Advance Skills, Build Experience

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Job Search & Networking Excel Database to Keep You Organized

FIND IT: IConnect > Guides & How Tos > Networking

Scan For Job Search & Networking Excel Database

First Steps

1. Open Your Database Tool For Job Search Organization
2. Have LinkedIn, Interstride, Handshake Job Boards Open on Browser
3. Search For Internships/Jobs (use keyword and CPT/OPT filters!), find and SAVE (Star or tab icon) opportunities you want to consider
4. Populate Left hand Column (Companies) in Database with company names, list at least 10
5. Go to LinkedIn: Isenberg School of Management, UMass Amherst COMPANY PAGE
6. Click Alumni tab
7. Search for Alumni using company names, populate “Contact” column on Excel Sheet

Next Steps:

1. Fill in additional information about job key words, companies & contacts
2. Review Resume for Key Word Optimization and adjust
3. Send personalized connection messages to contacts
4. Apply to positions of interest

Build A Company and Contact Database

Meet 1:1 @ Isenberg with Alison Messier

• Databases for Industry Research
• Databases for US Employers with Worldwide Locations & Foreign Companies with US Locations
• & Much More!

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Your Isenberg Library “Database Sherpa”

https://guides.library.umass.edu/business

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Look for Semester Hours in Isenberg, Email for an appointment

Maximize 3 Key Selling Points

Your Industry Knowledge (Externships, internsihps (paid/unpaid)

• Trends
• Sectors
• Top Skills
• Outlook/Forecast

Your Functional Experience

• Hard Skills – Technical – related to job and industry
• Consider specializing: Ex: Marketing = “Digital Marketing”

Your Professional Experience

• “Soft” Skills – Navigating working with people, professional interpersonal skills, ability to embrace corporate culture

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Externships, Internships, Networking, Skill Building, Academic and Extracurricular Projects, Entrepreneurial Experiences

THE Secret to International Candidate Recruiting Confidence

Understand CPT/OPT (Stem & Non Stem) work authorizations and educate employers

Top 8 Competencies US Employers Seek (ALL Candidates)

Top Competencies For International Students to Develop & Demonstrate

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Effective Communication and Networking Skills

Monday February 26 on Zoom at 7pm

Kimberly Figueroa, Career Coach

International Student Career Success Webinar Series