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Current Students

STAY AHEAD

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  • Learn to stay ahead and on top of matters related to your career.

  • Understand the unique opportunities that come with being an international student.

  • Connect with recent graduates and former F-1 students for referrals or advice.

  • Plan summer and winter breaks intelligently to shape your post-graduation aspirations.

  • Learn how other international students have navigated the complex immigration landscape

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GRADUATE SCHOOL

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Jobs & Internships

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Research shows that more than 80% of open job and internship positions are filled through referrals and networking. This should inform how you approach your hunt.

Start narrow, then expand.

1. Reach out to members in the F-1 Careers Forum. International students always have each other's back.

2. Use your school's alumni database

3. Expand to LinkedIn and other secondary networking platforms



APPLY, APPLY, APPLY!

 
Jobs & Internships
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Plan to spend more than 50% of your job or internship search building positive relationships! (NETWORKING)

 

The Informational Interview! This is an informal conversation (often over coffee or a phone call) with someone working in the field or company of interest to you. 

 

GOAL:

  • Get information about the industry, recruiting process, company culture, etc.

  • Put your name out there as someone interested (for future opportunities).

  • Find out the vast internal job posts not available on job boards and websites.

  • Get connected with other folks with experience in the area of interest to you.

Note: During informational interviews, ASK FOR INFORMATION, NOT FOR A JOB.

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Remember: People Love to Help. Never Hesitate to ASK

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NETWORKING STRATEGIES

RESUME & COVER LETTERS

These are critical documents for your jobs/internship search, so you must invest some time working on them.

Your resume (often one page) is your pitch or personal brand. Craft and update it every time you learn a new skill or experience.

  • Customize your resumes and cover letters to match the job requirements and skills you've attained.

  • Contact your school's career service for their preferred templates and resume formats.

  • Want a personalized resume/cover letter review? Contact us for help or consider using V-Mock, an AI-powered personal coach to provide instant resume reviews.

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  • ​The cover letter is your opportunity to tell the hiring manager why you're the right candidate for the job. You want to stand out and grab the reader's attention.

  • Tips: Do Your Research.

    • Any recent news/ media appearances by the company?

    • Something about their mission or culture, or client group that stands out.

    • Is the company meeting its objectives/goals?

    • How might your skills and experiences fit with the job requirements?

  • Want to run your resume or cover letter on Grammarly Premium? F-1 Careers has got your back. Contact us for access today!​​​

CPT and OPT are Off-campus work authorization for F-1 students currently pursuing degree programs and have completed one academic year.

Employment must be related to students' fields of study and can be paid or unpaid.
See types of employment accepted under OPT here

Typically issued for internships or short-term employment opportunities.

Recommended and authorized by your school's International Office (CPT) and by USCIS (OPT)



 

CPT & OPT

CAREER ADVISING & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Take full advantage of your school's office of career services to: 
Get connected to alumni
Coaching for interviews
Access to recruiting events
Get references 
Get help with resumes and cover letters


REACH OUT TO THE F-1 CAREERS NETWORK FOR REFERRALS & HELP ANYTIME DURING THE APPLICATION PROCESS!






 
Graduate School

GRADUATE SCHOOL

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Research your desired program extensively.
START HERE: Masters & Ph.D. Programs + Funding
  1. Gather your ALL relevant materials, e.g. transcripts, awards, and recognitions, thesis, GRE/GMAT/MCAT, publications e.t.c.
  2. Prepare a list of strong references and reach out to request support.
  3. Outline your story/narrative: background and motivations for pursuing a graduate program.
  4. Review your resume and customize it to desired applications.
  5. Draft your statement of purpose and reach out to friends, F-1 Careers, and other trusted sources for review.

    APPLY APPLY APPLY!
1. MBA APPLICATIONS
Here's a list of important sites with free resources reported by some international students to have been helpful during the MBA application process.
Stacy Blackman Consulting
Poets & Quants
Top MBA Programs: School Profiles

Note: Fully-funded MBA Scholarships are rare. Consider business school fellowship, employer sponsorship, and private student loans to fund your MBA

2. MASTERS & PH.D. APPLICATIONS
Gather all the relevant docs mentioned above.
Outline your story/narrative: background and motivations for pursuing a graduate program.
Masters & Ph.D. Programs + Funding

Frequently Asked Questions: U.S. Masters & Ph.D. Apps

 

GRADUATE SCHOOL RESEARCH

3. MEDICAL SCHOOL APPLICATIONS
Visit F1DOCTOR.COM to learn how to prepare and apply to U.S. medical schools as an international student. 

4. LAW SCHOOL APPLICATIONS
Here is an International Student's Guide to Applying to U.S. Law Schools

STANDARDIZED TESTS

MS/MBA/PH.D APPLICATIONS
MEDICAL/LAW SCHOOL APPLICATIONS
Please share any relevant test materials, like notes, cheat sheets, etc. with other international students
Upload

Learn more about each standardized test.

GRE

GMAT

IELTS

MCAT

LSAT

Duolingo English Test

Note: Most U.S. universities have waived the standardized test requirements for Ph.D. applicants. Visit the admissions website of each school you intend to apply to in order to learn more.
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These are the most critical parts of any graduate school application in addition to your resume. 
They serve the same overarching purpose: to convince the admissions committee that you are a good fit and will be successful in the program to which you’re applying.

Note: A statement of purpose is about what you want to do, while a personal statement is about who you are.

Here Are Top Tips for Writing a Graduate School Personal Statement

Here's a Guide on How and When to request references for graduate school. It is important that your recommenders are people that know you well and can speak accurately about your experiences and preparation for graduate school.


 

PERSONAL STATEMENTS
& 
REFERENCES

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

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During an Leave of absence (L.O.A), your SEVIS record is terminated until you are ready to return.

Note: If your leave will be longer than five months, you will require a new F-1 status and a new ‘Initial’ I-20. This might affect when you would be eligible for CPT and OPT. (Students need one academic year to be eligible for CPT or OPT)

No matter what you choose to do, the hope is you use your time off to understand yourself better and take time to explore interests, reflect on future career trajectories, personal and professional relationships, and hobbies in a manner that's rewarding.


 
CREATIVE TIME-OUT IDEAS!
1. Tutoring and Mentoring
2. Working on that creative project
3. Part-time consulting 

4. Shadowing

SIGN UP TO BECOME A MENTOR
Share your experiences and help advise prospective students
Help us gather relevant resources to help fellow international students
Leave of Absence
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES!

Please share any relevant resources with fellow international students
E.g. Notes {Nisha to add more}
Upload
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