Constructive Career Advice for International Students
Upon graduation, international students entering the American workforce have a job to do. They may face employers hesitant about hiring someone who they worry may not stay long-term. Or those unfamiliar with visa requirements. And some might be unacquainted with cultural differences. So it is vital to provide the information employers need to make that job offer.
With a student population that hails from more than 100 different countries, embracing diversity, encouraging civic engagement and preparing students for global citizenship are core ideals that Florida Institute of Technology has always been dedicated to.
Recognized for having the most internationally diverse undergraduate population of any university in the United States, Florida Tech remains committed to addressing the concerns and questions international students may have regarding employment opportunities and the effect of governmental policies.
Today, immigration attorney David Ware will be on campus. He will present a free lecture on topical issues related to international students titled “Post-graduation Employment Options for International Students.”
Ware will discuss career opportunities available to international students as well as the latest developments in immigration. Following the presentation, audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions.
A Zillion Questions
Shyla Soundararajan is from India and set to graduate from Florida Tech this year. As a graduate student studying global strategic communication, the possible complexities of finding a job as an international student in the United States are definitely on her mind.
“It’s such a great arrangement by Florida Tech for its international students who in the recent times have had zillion questions in mind regarding their job search and stay in the US,” Soundararajan said. “This lecture by an expert I believe will help us foresee possible changes and be well prepared for our journey after graduation.”
Constructive tips like starting your job search early, networking with others in your field and taking advantage of the resources at your school, can significantly increase the pool of job opportunities.
“When you are studying and living in a different country, getting a big picture of the legal stuff is so hard. All the information that we get is from the Internet. People discussing in online forums give us advice, but in bits and pieces,” Soundararajan said. “So making sense of the issue in its entirety is always a challenge.”
One-on-One Sessions available
Students can also arrange in advance to meet with Ware for a private, one-on-one session at no charge. However, Ware will not advise on F-1 related issues such as reinstatements or OPT/CPT.
The lecture was arranged by Florida Tech’s Office of International Student and Scholar Services and its director, Judith Brooke.
“This lecture is a series ISSS continues to offer with an immigration attorney every fall and spring on the topic of post graduate employment options for internationals,” Brooke said.
To schedule a private meeting with Ware, students must arrange a time in advance through the ISSS office.
Experienced Advice
A recognized leader among immigration attorneys, Ware graduated summa cum laude from Yale College in 1977. He received his J.D. from the University Of Texas School Of Law in 1981.
Ware has practiced immigration and nationality law exclusively since 1982. He serves as a mentor for other immigration attorneys through the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Mentorship Program. He’s also active in the National Association of Foreign Student Affairs: Association of International Educators (NAFSA) since 1985.
He’s been placed among the top immigration attorneys in Louisiana by New Orleans Magazine. Ware was also chosen twice by City Business Magazine as one of the top 50 “Leaders in Law” in Louisiana.
The lecture will take place Monday, today from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Hartley Room of the Denius Student Center. For reservations visit here and enter password “IMMIGRATIONLECTURE”. To arrange a one-on-one session, contact ISSS at (321) 674-8053.
“Hearing from an immigration attorney is the best thing that can happen to us. I can’t imagine the consultation fee that I’d have to pay to an attorney elsewhere,” Soundararajan said. “I am moved by Florida Tech’s initiative to host this lecture. It gives me a good feeling that the school does care about me and my future.”
