International Educator - May/June 2015 - 70

By bringing
alumni and
employers onto
campus, career
centers create
opportunities
for international
students to
connect with
those who
might aid in
their job search.

Center who works closely with the university's Office of International Programs and
the University Career Center.
Campuses that align student affairs
support services within their broader policies for recruiting international students
are likely to be most successful, according
to Tillman: "There is also a direct linkage
between development of campus internationalization policies and support for
allocating necessary services and support
for international students."

SHUTTERSTOCK / ISTOCK

Overcoming Cultural Hurdles
"When working with international students,
we have to perform a cultural dance," Cheryl
Matherly, vice provost of global education at
Tulsa, says. "We don't want students to get
the message that they need to change their
culture in order to work in the U.S., but at
the same time we have to talk about how
things work differently here."
This includes everything from résumés
and interviews to dress style. For example,
when a foreign student showed up at Colorado's career fair in elaborate native dress,
the counselor delicately explained to her that
this was not appropriate for a job interview
in the United States.

Enhancing Job Skills
The needs of international students-learning to write résumés, interview, and network

"in the American way"- are very different
from those of domestic students.
In many countries, résumés include a
photograph of the candidate, as well as a
listing of work experience. In the United
States, the résumé is seen as a marketing,
self-promotion piece. Inclusion of specific
accomplishments is a must to boost the
value of international students. This can
be difficult because it is considered "boastful" in some countries. But, Matherly says,
employers are looking for people who are
independent, problem solvers, and selfstarters, so that has to be reflected on the
résumé and cover letter.
In the United States, good interviewing
and networking techniques are prerequisites
for job seekers. Career centers spend a great
deal of time prepping international students
in these skills. Mock interviews are vital to
increase self-confidence.
Maria Yusuf, who came to Colorado
State from Nigeria, agrees: "The mock interviews taught me what to expect, how to
sell myself, and how to show employers that
my skills match what they are looking for."
"We also help our international students
become comfortable with the small talk that
goes on during interviews," Chapman says.
"Those conversations are often not common
in their culture."
Informational interviews are critical to
helping international students learn about

a particular industry. Bang encourages oneon-one meetings, starting locally, with past
interns, alumni, and professionals.
When Yusuf decided to change the direction of her career from finance to human
resources, her counselor encouraged her to
meet with the HR manager in the business
department. That paid off. "The informational interview helped prepare me when I
applied for an HR summer internship at an
engineering company and led directly to my
current job." When the business college HR
manager took another position, the career
center notified Yusuf, who was subsequently
tapped for the opportunity.

Creating Connections
All career counselors attest to the importance of networking, using every
opportunity to make contacts with those
in your chosen field, in both the corporate
and nonprofit arenas. By bringing alumni
and employers onto campus, career centers
create opportunities for international students to connect with those who might aid
in their job search. Panel discussions, career
symposiums, and informal get-togethers
provide insight into specific industries, as
well as useful contacts.
At Berkeley, panel discussions made up
of current international students who have
had internships and have job offers, alumni,
and employers offer practical information to
M AY + J U N E .15 INTERNATIONAL EDUCATOR

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