Career Advice Corner: Top 5 Mistakes International Students Make--and How to Avoid Them!

As you start your schooling in the United States, it is easy to become overwhelmed with all the information coming at you while you also learn to adjust to life on your own, far away from all that is familiar.? F1hire is here to help you so we want to start this off right by reminding you about mistakes to avoid as you begin your studies!

1. Missing Course Registration (and not paying attention at orientation)

In the U.S., New Student Orientation is a vital part of the college introduction process.? Not only is it a moment to meet new peers, but it is the time when the institution introduces the many relevant resources to students. Unfortunately, however, these orientations are so full of information that is packed into a short time span that much information is not fully retained -- and this is even more difficult for international students (who often also have their own additional, separate orientation) given the wealth of unfamiliar information (e.g., do their country’s institutions have Centers for Equity and Inclusion like many U.S. schools do) and intricate details.? It is important for international students to attend orientation, particularly the ones targeting international students. Not only will school officials introduce resources (e.g., the Tutoring or Writing Center to help international students learn about the very “American” concept of ownership and plagiarism) but remind students about important information such as where to clarify/update/inquire about their visa and how to go about legally working on or off campus. We advise making sure to bring something to take notes with throughout the orientation, so you can jot down important deadlines (course registration), instructions (what portal to use to register for courses), offices that serve your academic needs and points of contact you want to visit once classes begin.

2. Not taking advantage of all campus resources

Many, if not all, of the resource offices on campus are free to students -- they are part of the tuition and fees that international students pay.? Make sure you know where to find help when you need it.? Most important, your International Student Services (ISS) Office supports your legal stay in the U.S. Make sure you know where they are located, who your points of contact are, and -- always -- read their emails completely and promptly!? Tutoring centers are not used only by failing students and in fact, they are often used by average students (for example, those earning a “B”) to increase their GPA!? Take advantage of tutoring on campus -- while many may have a limit for ‘free’ one on one tutoring, peer tutoring is often easily accessible (and will encourage you to practice your speaking skills while working alongside others, helping you acclimate to U.S. culture).? Writing centers will help you review your written work, making you a better writer. Career Services Offices will help you start thinking about the job hunt early, and provide resources to craft your resume. Once you are ready to start looking for a job to supplement your coursework and build your resume, talk to your ISS office to understand what types of work you can undertake, and download the F1hire extension? to help you find job openings which you qualify for.

3. Isolating within your international community

Being in the U.S. is different, new, and often has many challenges--which is why finding your enclave amongst international students who speak the same language and share the same cultural understandings can be so comforting.? But, we remind you that you have chosen to study in the U.S. to experience something new and different, and that includes getting to know people unlike you!? Make an effort to attend events that are hosted across campus, join organizations you have never tried before, and make friends with Americans and international students who are from different countries. Not only will this increase your emotional intelligence and social skills, but it will continually train you to learn how to approach others in novel social situations, eventually helping you to navigate your career responsibilities.

4.? Not understanding work authorization processes

As an international student you are likely in the U.S. on an F1 visa, which restricts your ability to work legally in the U.S. This is not to say you cannot work, but rather: you can work under specific work programs called Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT).? Because getting a job after graduation usually requires work experience, it is vital that international students gain work experience while a student -- which is often done via CPT.? See our blog about CPT/OPT.? Make sure you speak with ISS to know all the steps you need to take in order to work legally so as to remain in good standing with your visa, and strongly encourage you to find work opportunities in order to build your resume early.

5.? Not taking advantage of out of class experiences?

Coursework alone is not enough training for an employer to immediately want to hire you -- thus, you should be engaging in projects, internships, and work experiences outside of the classroom; this should not be left until your final year of school.? American students are often working well before entering college, and as an international student, you should be taking advantage of any opportunities to apply your classroom learning to a work environment. This not only builds your skill set, but makes you more marketable when the time comes to search for a job post-graduation.? As you gain skills you will be able to establish a basic resume which highlights your skills set.? F1hire’s job match feature will review your skills alongside job requirements for open positions in your field, and tell you how much of a percentage match you are for the position, thus giving you ‘real time’ feedback about how you can strengthen your resume or what you need to add to your learning before qualifying for such a position. The F1hire extension will scan job posts you are interested in while helping you to revise your resume appropriately!

TLDR:

As an international student, make sure you know your school’s rules/expectations, campus resources, and take advantage of out of class experiences (which can include making new friends who are different from you, internships/work, research).? If your goal is to stay in the U.S. after graduation, get started as early as freshman year in thinking about legal options to work in the U.S. while in school and after.? Download the F1hire extension which will filter the sponsor-friendly companies for you, while also helping you enhance your resume to make you more marketable for sought after opportunities!