Because of cultural differences and the visa system, international students face many more dilemmas when searching for jobs than American college students. To shed some light on why this is, Un Yeong Park, the assistant director for career and professional development for international students at the Career Center, discussed the current situation and offered several suggestions for international students looking for a job.

The Daily Illini: If an international student wants to find a job, what could he or she start with first? 

Un Yeong Park: Before embarking on a job search, it is important to know yourself clearly. What are your main interests and your key competencies and strengths? How can a business benefit from employing you compared to other applicants? This must be the first key step for any student looking for a job. 

With this established, a detailed exploration of the job market can begin. It is essential to recognize the differences between the American job market and a local job market. 

DI: What’s next after self and market awareness?

UYP: By thoroughly understanding and adopting these two key areas — the self and the market environment — the candidate is the person in control of developing this relationship between interests and skill sets with the job market. It involves the creation of a detailed resume, informative cover letter, appropriate internship and varied diverse job experiences.

DI: To find a job, what do you think is the most important? Is GPA most decisive? 

UYP: For most international students, priority is given to GPA, ranking and the reputation of the college. However, excessive pursuit of academic development will lead to a subconscious disregard for the benefits of professional development. 

University reputation is not a critical factor in a job search. The American job market is specifically looking for the right person: characteristics and personality, interests, skill sets developed through college life as well as additional job experiences.

DI: What skill sets do you think are important?

UYP: In terms of career skills, emphasis should be placed on communication, leadership and networking. These skills can be developed through daily college life, various activities and working experience. 

DI: What’s the CC-I program? 

UYP: The CC-I program is a unique and innovative program provided to support the professional development of international students. The nine-week non-credit program provides training for developing skills such as networking, interviews, resume and cover letters with specific training focusing on everyday speech. 

DI: Who are eligible for applying for this program?

UYP: Whether an undergraduate or graduate, all students are welcomed on this program. Applications for spring 2018 are now available until Feb. 1 from the Career Center website.

DI: How could this program help international students in their career search? 

UYP: After the CC-I program, I see many more students articulate their career goals clearly and locate job search resources faster. The ability to understand and translate the differences between the American job market and the hometown job market will enable them to show their strengths and skills.

DI: How is networking important for job search?

UYP: Networking is a key aspect of a job search and is just as important as having qualifications. Based on my past experience, strong networking offers a key platform and opportunity for students to gain access to the first two rounds of interviews.

DI: How could international students develop it? 

UYP: Nowadays, LinkedIn and Handshake are the two most direct sources for developing networking channels. Devoting time to construct an attractive and informative LinkedIn account must be a priority.

To earn opportunities at interviews, you need to reach out to industry professionals, alumni and recruiters must be contacted as soon as possible and your qualifications must also be obtained in advance.

DI: Why don’t so many companies hire international students?

UYP: Cross country borders play an important role for international students and they represent more than physical borders as there are bigger aspects to consider. The self-protection of local job markets in conjunction and the lottery visa selection make companies more hesitant when hiring international students. Many companies are not willing to invest in international students as they see it as a future gamble.

DI: What are choices international students have now? 

UYP: Luckily, there are still many companies who consider international students as candidates for internship and full-time employment. The list of these companies is detailed on the Career Center’s website. Besides, in the STEM field, there is a shortage in the supply of applicants, so many companies are welcomed to hire international students in this field. 

However, I want to remind international students that hometown’s economic development is soaring. Many countries are open to elites and acknowledging sustaining cultural identity is important for all individuals. 

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