1. Identify what you are good at and what you are passionate about.
   • Take the STRONG Interest inventory to help you identify rewarding career fields.
   • Review What can You Do with Your Major?
   • Complete your SU Handshake profile and create a SU FirstHand account to explore career options.
2. Find international talent-friendly employers
   • Review resources and identify employers
     • Top 200 Employers for OPT and STEM OPT Students
     • Top 200 Employers for CPT Students
     • Top H-1B visa sponsors by industry, occupation or job title at myvisajobs.com
     • GoinGlobal H-1B Plus database
   • Identify at least 10 international talent-friendly employers that match your skills set and career goals. Network with those employers before applying for any job. For example, connecting with the hiring manager on LinkedIn and send them a personalized note. Get connected to SU alumni who work for those employers via Arts & Sciences and Maxwell Alumni Program. SU alumni are always willing to help oranges.
3. Prepare yourself during the undergraduate study
   • Strategically plan your academic major(s) and minor(s).
   • Earn micro credential(s) to enhance your resume.
   • Accumulate experiential learning experiences starting Year 1 from the following:
     • Campus Job (F-1 students are permitted to work on campus for 20 hours per week.)
     • Internship (F-1 students are permitted to have Curriculum Practicum Training (CPT) after one year of academic study.)
     • Undergraduate research
     • Student leadership
     • Community engagement/Volunteerism
     • Study abroad
     • Career immersion trips
   • Start professional networking from Year 1
     • Meet company recruiters at networking events, career fairs, and information sessions.
     • Reach out to SU alumni via Arts & Sciences and Maxwell Alumni Program.
     • Explore American work culture.
   • Familiarize yourself with CPT and OPT for F-1 Students and relevant immigration regulations .
   • Have your resume prepared in the Year 1.
4. Prepare for job interviews
   • Develop a job search plan.
   • Meet with your Academic and Career Advisor to polish resume and cover letter.
   • Practice your interview .
   • Participate in an in-person mock interview (TBD).
   • Optimize your LinkedIn headline and summary.
     • Use key words focused for recruiter searches.
     • Show personality and brand yourself like an elevator pitch, in the first person.
   • Embrace your value as an international talent to the U.S. job market and highlight why you are irreplaceable to the future employers. Unique skills and knowledge you should demonstrate to your future employers as an international student are:
     • Creativity and new perspectives
       • Internationally diverse workforces bringing new ideas and skills, recipe for continued innovation.
       • Boosting team creativity
     • Foreign language and knowledge
       • Instrumental for global market
       • Better understanding of foreign consumers
       • Upgraded customer service
     • Enriched workplace culture
       • Creating a diverse and global-minded workplace
       • Forming a positive company reputation and attracting new talents
     • Enhanced branding
       • Talented team from various backgrounds
       • Greater competitiveness

1. How may an employer ask me about my work authorization? And how do I answer (F-1 student)?
   • Are you eligible to work/ legally authorized to work in the U.S.?
     • Yes, I have legal authorization to work in the U.S. for 12 months (or 36 months for STEM majors) (after your F-1 OPT is authorized).
   • Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for an employment visa?
     • My work authorization can be renewed for another six years with an H-1B working visa if I decide to work in the U.S. after OPT (please review How do I explain to future employers about my work authorization?)
2. When and how should I tell a prospective employer that I am an international student?
   • You do not need to draw attention to your F-1 visa status before an employer asks, given the reservations some employers may have about hiring international employees. It is recommended that you address your work authorization in the second interview once you have had an opportunity to draw employer’s interest in hiring you.
   • You need to communicate with an employer about your F-1 visa status clearly and confidently. You can start by explaining to your potential employer that you have a 1 year OPT work authorization (or 3 years for STEM majors) which do not need any employer sponsorship.
   • You must have accurate knowledge of F-1 OPT and H-1B and convince your employer they do not need to spend time figure out those things for you.
3. Should I list my visa status and/or work authorization on my resume?
   • No, you are not required to disclose it. However, if you were asked, you should never lie about your visa status.
4. What resources exist to support international students who pursue Pre-Med and MD degree?
   • F-1 Doctors is a peer-to-peer mentorship platform for international applicants to the U.S. health professional schools (M.D, D.O., Dental school) as well as the U.S. residency programs.

Arts & Sciences and Maxwell Career Advising

Syracuse University Career Services Center

International Student Career Immersion Experience at Syracuse University

The Office of Academic & Career Advising, College of Arts and Sciences and Maxwell School, invites international undergraduate students to apply to the International Student Career Immersion trip in Fall 2024 in the city of Syracuse. 100 percent of international students who participated in the Fall 2023 career trip confirmed that the career immersion experience has greatly enhanced understanding of expectations of U.S. employer.

Date: Oct. 11, Friday, 2024 (For students with class on Friday, you will receive a class excuse form for your professor.)

Place: Syracuse City

Goal: Enhance CAS/MAX international students’ understanding of the U.S. job market and work culture

Learning Outcomes: After this experience, international students are able to:

1. Understand expectations of U.S. employers
2. Apply learned knowledge and skills in internship and job applications
3. Build relationship with business institutions

Cost: None. Transportation and all meals will be paid for participants.

Student Eligibility:

1. International undergraduate student in Arts & Sciences and Maxwell School
2. Good academic standing (GPA 3.0 and above preferred)
3. 1st year international students are encouraged to apply.

Number of Participants: 25 (first come first serve)

Required Application Documents:

Resume in professional format

• All college students are required to have a resume. A resume is a personal summary of professional history and qualifications. It provides information about your career goals, education, work experience, activities, honors and any other special skills. Your resume makes a case for why an employer should bring you in for an interview. Have your resume ready now so that you will be ready to apply for campus jobs, scholarships, and other university opportunities. Log in https://experience.syracuse.edu/career/get-hired/vmock/ with your SU username and password, to create or revise your resume.

Application Due: September 20, 2024 at https://syr.joinhandshake.com/emp/jobs/9151545

Application Decision: Applicants will receive conditional acceptance only, pending on

• Submission of a professional resume created via https://experience.syracuse.edu/career/get-hired/vmock/ or reviewed by an academic and career advisor; AND
• Attending network training or watching training recording

Mandatory Activities for the Career Immersion Experience:

Before the Oct. 11 trip

• Attend a virtual networking training
• Conduct brief research on business institutions listed on the itinerary before the trip.
• Prepare questions to ask business institutions (guidance will be provided).

During the Oct. 11 trip

• Visit a few business institutions in Syracuse and interact with employers
• Network with SU alumni
• Attend a business etiquette dinner

After the trip

• Complete an online survey