Category: Development

• Stetson University’s International Student Success Initiative strives to bolster services to improve success for foreign students and alumni. A new national report highlights several exciting opportunities for student success. Stetson University is already ahead of the curve in addressing a number of these recommendations through this initiative.

The WES Research report takes a look at how 1,095 U.S-educated foreign students fare in the job market post-graduation and evaluates alumni impressions of how well their alma maters prepared them for success. The following are key findings of the report:

• The vast majority of both current international students and international alumni believe that their U.S. education was a good investment.
• International students say that credential recognition outside of the United States was one factor they considered when deciding to study in the U.S.
• Overall, employment outcomes for alumni are good, but there are areas that could use improvement.
• Post-graduation work-training programs in the United States, for instance Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Academic Training, were viewed positively.
• Alumni in the U.S. use a variety of forms of work authorization, despite the challenges in obtaining work permits. Others leave due to difficulty obtaining work permits.
• Usage of and satisfaction with career services offices was uneven.
• Most international students came to the U.S. with at least some experience and gained more while studying.

Over half of current students surveyed had not yet used the career services at their institutions, primarily because they were not yet ready for the job search. Nearly two-thirds of alumni used campus career services while enrolled. Both current students and alumni were most satisfied with résumé (or CV) and cover letter writing preparation services, as well as career preparation seminars and workshops. Both groups reported some dissatisfaction with interview preparation services and services that connect them to potential employers. A related WES Research study revealed that career services is among the most important student service to many international students.

Stetson’s International Student Success Initiative has tackling recommendations addressed in the two reports: 

• Increase the number of foreign students making use of the career services earlier in their tenure:
• Develop methods to help students connect with job opportunities in their home countries (or abroad in general).
• Encourage students to conduct internship or volunteer opportunities in their home countries during school breaks, or as part of cooperative (co-op) programs.
• Coach students to advocate for themselves regarding their visa and work authorization status.
• Educate employers about the regulations and the how foreign students can be strong assets for any company.
• Schedule  once per semester meeting between international student services and career services to boost services to foreign students.
• Host SEVIS/immigration advisor booth at career fair to advise foreign students on how to approach employers on working in the U.S.  and to support employers who often dismiss hiring non-U.S. citizens.
• Be responsive to the differing needs of different student populations.
• Bring resources to English language learners, especially in professional contexts.
• Encourage students to seek on-campus job or other opportunities when possible to practice their English in a work environment.

Elements of this article were taken directly from the WES Research Report.