Career Services | International Students' Frequently Asked Questions

Professional Development for the International Student at SAIS 

1. As an international student on a student visa, am I allowed to work and do internships in the U.S.?
2. As a first year international student, what aspects of my career development should I pay particular attention to in September?
3. How do I keep track of professional development services and events conducted by Career Services?
4. Which employers often hire international students?
5. How do I determine with whom I should conduct an informational interview regarding my professional development and career preferences?
6. How can I effectively discuss immigration issues in a positive and constructive way with employers?
7. What are the challenges I will face in the job search process?
8. How long will my job search take?
9. What are the potential challenges with respect to my communication skills?
10. How will an internship be helpful in relation to my career development?
11. How often should I visit and use the professional development resources available in Career Services?

1. As an international student on a student visa, am I allowed to work and do internships in the U.S.?

• Most international students are allowed to work and do internships in the U.S. if proper authorization procedures are followed.  Many international students do a period of practical training after graduation. For further information about employment opportunities for international students, please go to the SAIS International Student Scholar Services (ISSS) Office.

2.  As a first year international student, what aspects of my career development should I pay particular attention to in September?

• Be sure to attend the Career Course for first year students.
• It is important to make an appointment to speak with one of the three career counselors in Career Services early in your first semester.
• It is essential to register on SAISWorks, our Employer Contact database, and review key components of this system: including the Calendar, Employer Jobs and Internships, and the varied career and sector guides and profiles online.
• You should review the counselor profiles to determine which counselorÃ_s background and sector expertise is most suitable given your professional interests and skills.  To become fully familiar with the office and staff, itÃ_s best to make this initial appointment in person in Nitze Room 212.
• If you have not done so, we suggest discussing revisions of your existing resume or CV to conform to the required format of the SAIS template with a career counselor. Click here to review the Resume Guide.
• We also suggest reviewing and completing the SAIS Professional Development Plan which will enable you to outline and plan ñsemester by semester- your job or internship search priorities.

3.  How do I keep track of professional development services and events conducted by Career Services?

• See ìAnnouncementsî on SAISWorks and see ì
  4.  Which employers often hire international students?
  • Many international students seek to remain in the U.S. for at least a year after graduation and find their nationality is an advantage in working for an international organization such as the United Nations, World Bank or Inter-American Development Bank.
  • Major management consulting firms, selected development consulting firms, research institutions and think tanks may hire international students.
  • It is best to discuss this question with a career counselor to determine, based on your professional interest and past professional experience, which employers are good targets for further research and informational interviews with SAIS alumni.  
  • To learn more about companies and organizations who hire international applicants via the H1B program, go to the SAISworks homepage and click on Going Global.  This is a free online newsletter which contains useful information about international job searches and employment for non-Americans.

  
  5.  How do I determine with whom I should conduct an informational interview regarding my professional development and career preferences?

  • We advise you to talk with: your academic advisor, full-time and adjunct faculty (adjuncts are usually working professionals with extensive professional experience and expertise in their field),  Noppadon Moapichai,  Director, International Students & Scholar Services, and a career counselor to identify an appropriate international SAIS alumni contact in your targeted sector and field.
  • With their respective unique resources and different perspectives, each of the above individuals can provide important career-related professional information and advice.

  
  6.  How can I effectively discuss immigration issues in a positive and constructive way with employers?

  • An effective approach requires preparation and knowledge of the benefits and restrictions of your particular visa status. You should discuss this matter with the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office.  Information on employment authorization options for F-1 and J-1 students is available at the ISSS Web site.
  • The more knowledgeable you are about the employment options available, the more confident you will feel about discussing this matter during an informational or job interview.
  • If not already known to you, it is important to clarify, early in the interview process, an organizationÃ_s policies regarding the hiring of non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents.  Ask if the employer will help a qualified non-U.S. citizen to obtain work authorization.
  • During the first interview, emphasize the positive aspects of your candidacy.  For example, it is an advantage to many employers to hire a bilingual employee and/or an employee familiar with conditions abroad which are important to the company. The fact that you have lived and studied abroad shows tenacity and resourcefulness.  If you have worked before, inform the interviewer about the challenges you faced and how you overcame obstacles in this process.  Be prepared to explain how hiring you will bring your unique personal, academic and professional skills to the position for which you are applying.
  • There will be opportunities to practice your interview skills with a career counselor, with alumni and with other experienced current students (both MA and mid-career professionals studying for their MIPP degree ñ Masters in International Public Policy).

  
  7.  What are the challenges I will face in the job search process?

  • Hiring Complexities: After you complete the optional one year of practical training, employers must sponsor you to obtain an H1-B visa to continue employment.  Hiring an international student is a more complex, costly, and often less familiar process to many U.S. employers than hiring an American citizen.
  • Commitment: Some employers fear international employees will return to their home country too soon after the employer has invested time and money to train and sponsor them.
  • Location:  International students often limit their searches to either Washington D.C. or New York City due to the presence of key international organizations or private companies.   This creates intense competition for jobs in these two locales. 
  • Timing:  International students often underestimate the amount of effort it will take to secure a job after graduation.  This may be unavoidable due to the rigorous academic program at SAIS, however, it is important to develop a realistic timeframe [see next question] regarding the search process.

  
  8.  How long will my job search take?

  • The length of a job search will vary depending upon many factors, including: years of prior professional experience in a field; focus and clarity concerning targeted employers; and the ìfitî of your experience and demonstrated skills with available jobs. 
  • ItÃ_s very important to begin your job search, explore career options, obtain relevant background information on a field, and initiate contacts with faculty and alumni ñ during your first year at SAIS. 
  • Note to second year Bologna students:  We especially encourage Bologna students to make an early appointment with a career counselor to better understand the range of career services available in Washington, discuss their career plans and review how to maximize use of all available professional development programs and services. 

  
  9.  What are the potential challenges with respect to my communication skills?

  • Demonstrating strong written and verbal communication skills in English is essential to a successful outcome of your job search.
  • If you are unfamiliar with, or have little practical experience with the networking process and outreach to professionals, you will need to develop and refine these skills throughout your two years at SAIS. 
  • It may be a challenge ñ if you are inexperienced with the practice - to write effective e-mails to alumni requesting informational interviews to discuss their professional interests and learn about their workplace environments.  The career service counselor team is available to help you strengthen your written communication skills. Go to the "Resources" page for further information.
  • In addition, you also should take advantage of the Teaching Assistants in the Language Department's Writing Center who are available to review and edit professional communications (especially cover letters for job applications) to employers and alumni.

  
  10.  How will an internship be helpful in relation to my career development?

  • The practical work experience gained through a full or part-time internship with an American or international employer may prove invaluable and can lead to wider career opportunities upon graduation. 
  • International students will develop a better understanding of the American workplace and the skills needed to perform effectively with an international employer. 
  • A successful internship may result in an invaluable mentoring relationship(s) with a professional in a position to assist with future job contacts and employer references.
  • For specific information on USCIS regulations regarding unpaid or volunteer work, please contact the SAIS International Student Scholar Services (ISSS) office.
  • For more background about Internship Resources, visit the "Internship Information" page. The Summer Internship Fund (SIF) is an option for any first-year M.A. student on any campus.

  
  11. How often should I visit and use the professional development resources available in Career Services?

  • There is no limit to the number of scheduled appointments or informal ìdrop-inî visits that a student may make to the Career Services office.  There is also no limit to the number of times a student may upload their resume and apply to jobs posted on SAISWorks.
  • We encourage all students to use both our online and office resources as often as necessary throughout the academic year and summer months (we are open 12 months a year). 
  • See ABOUT US SECTION for hours of operation and biographical summaries of the counseling staff team which will help you identify the counselor with expertise in your targeted employment sector or field.
    

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