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We’re here to help you in your job search

At the Russell Palmer Career Management Center, we help Broad international students and those seeking global work experiences navigate the career search process by providing support on all aspects of career development, including career advising, career education programming and customized events. In addition, our team focuses on cultivating employment opportunities in the US, home country, and globally. We can help you in your job search both in the US and overseas.

I would definitely recommend my peers use Career Services at Russell Palmer Career Management Center. The peer coaches and advisors helped me a lot and they gave me really insightful tips about my resume and cover letter. I also did several mock interviews with them before going for my actual interview and the preparation turned out to be very fruitful.
Yatharth Chandna
Finance, India

Services and Resources Offered

We offer specialized career programming to meet the unique needs of international students throughout the search for internships and full-time career opportunities. International students are encouraged to utilize these resources to expand their pool of job opportunities.

Global Career Networking Series

The Global Career Networking Series (GCNS) is a series of intensive career development and career search programs. GCNS consists of a one-day career bootcamp, where participants learn key career development skills (including resume building, networking strategies and more) in a condensed amount of time; an immigration info session where professionals explain the work authorization and work visa process in the US and other countries; and a Broad international alumni career panel who share their job search, work experiences, and insights. In addition, over 20 globally-renown companies from various regions conduct info sessions regarding job openings, corporate culture, and new hire/student programs.

Timeline: Fall

 

Various Recruiting Events including Webinars and On-Campus Company Visits

The Palmer Center facilitates corporate webinars and on-site visits to promote access and opportunities to network with highly-regarded global employers.

Timeline: Fall and Spring

 

Global Openings Resource

The Palmer Center compiles a detailed resource indicating global openings that cover multifaceted industries. This resource is distributed two or three times a year.

Timeline: Fall and Spring

 

Resume Books

The resume book is a compilation of student resumes that are sent to overseas employers (Fortune 500 companies) seeking to hire Broad students for full-time positions and internships.  Our team helps students ensure their resumes are career-ready prior to inclusion in the resume book. The resume book is distributed two to three times a year.

Timeline: Fall, Spring, and Summer

 

Global Career Trek

The Global Career Trek provides students with opportunities to build networking relationships with Fortune 500 employers and gain insights into their business practices and trends. It also offers the opportunity to experience the corporate culture and careers available in each company. Note: This event is typically in-person but has also been conducted in a virtual format.

Timeline: Spring/Summer

 

Career Advising and Coaching

The Palmer Team offers 1:1 career advising appointments that can cover a variety of different topics including mock interview preparation, resume reviews, and advice on job search strategies.

Timeline: Fall, Spring, and Summer

Students attending the Fall 2022 International Student Career Bootcamp

Employment Visa FAQ

We understand that there are various questions facing international students when it comes to the job search. From disclosing visa status to subtle cultural differences in the US job search to finding employment in one’s home country or globally, it can feel overwhelming. Our team has compiled some of the most frequently asked questions to help students begin the job search.

  • As an F-1 student, how should I answer work authorization questions during the application process?

    In the US, employers are not allowed to ask about a candidate’s age, race/ethnicity, gender, country of origin, religion, disability, or marital/family status. However, employers may ask questions related to work authorization. Some common questions are:

    Question: Are you authorized to work in the United States?

    Possible Answer 1: YES. If you have active F-1 status and are eligible to apply for Curricular (CPT) or Optional (OPT) Practical Training you may answer YES.

    Note: If you are seeking an internship and are eligible to apply for applying for Current Practical Training (CPT) and if there is space to provide additional information, you should indicate that you will be applying for CPT for the internship period. Utilizing your CPT benefit enables you to work in the US without employer sponsorship as long as the position is relevant to your major for the specific dates of employment (example: from XX to XX).

    OR

    Possible Answer 2: If you are seeking full-time employment and are eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), you should mention that you will be applying for OPT (or have already applied) to begin on X date. OPT is an employment benefit that will allow you to work in the US for up to 12 months without employer sponsorship.

    If you are enrolled in a STEM-designated program, then you can mention you are eligible for the STEM OPT Extension, which is currently 24 months. To continue working beyond this timeframe, your employer would have to file for a work visa for you.

    Question: Will you now, or in the future, require sponsorship for an employment visa?

    Answer: YES. You will require work authorization once your F-1 student status ends.

  • When should I disclose my work authorization as an international student to an employer?

    There are many approaches to informing an employer. If a question is asked as part of the online application, provide an honest answer (see the sample answers above). If a question is not part of the application or is asked by the employer during an interview, it is recommended to briefly mention your work authorization status by the end of the first interview or – if possible – before the second interview. This strategy allows potential employers to become familiar with your work authorization options and allows you to focus more on the strengths that you offer as an international student rather than visa challenges.

  • Why isn’t there an employer list of those who will consider hiring international students?

    In essence, this is a great idea, however it is extremely difficult to create and maintain such a list. Many employers are unwilling to disclose this information directly and their policies are often changing which makes a list unsustainable and unreliable. Unfortunately, there is not a single easy way to identify opportunities. For these reasons, a creative strategy is essential to identify eligible opportunities.

  • How do I know if employers hire international candidates or how can I find “international friendly” employers?

    You may have concerns about whether employers in the US hire international students. Online research and networking can help identity “international friendly” organizations. As you conduct your research, consider the following resources:

    Handshake:

    Use the Work Authorization filters of the job search and fair search pages of Handshake to identify employers who are willing to provide job visa sponsorship or are accepting international student applications using work authorizations such as OPT and CPT. You will be prompted to answer the following questions related to work authorization when you create your profile and if you do not provide answers to these questions, you will be prompted to answer work authorization questions during your first application in Handshake or if you register for a fair which will then be saved for future applications.

    Handshake Work Authorization Filters

    IMPORTANT NOTE: If you select “Prefer not to answer these questions”, your information will show as FULLY QUALIFIED for the position and you will be able to view and sign up for virtual fair 1:1 sessions with work authorization requirements. You will be able to see your eligibility for an opportunity in the employer preferences box for each posting. (Examples are below.) It’s important to note that Handshake will not block/prevent you from applying for an opportunity if you do not match a preference.

    Example of Handshake Employer Preferences

    GoinGlobal:

    GoinGlobal is an online database for searching career opportunities in the US and abroad. It contains information including lists of US employers with past records of H-1B sponsorship activity and provides country career guides and job search resources for more than 120 worldwide locations. It is accessible through MSU Handshake (once logged in, go to Career Center, click Resources, and look for a GoinGlobal link). In addition, GoinGlobal has other helpful features: work permit/visa regulations, resume writing guidelines, employment trends, salary ranges, networking groups and cultural/interviewing advice.

    Myvisajobs.com:

    Myvisajobs.com Is an online platform to identify which US employers have petitioned for a work/H-1B visa in the past. This site also provides names of employers who have sponsored for Permanent Residency (Green Card) including locations and types of positions.

    US Department of Labor H-1B Data:

    The US Department of Labor Office of Foreign Labor Certification generates annual reports on labor certifications, which is a core part of the H-1B and Permanent Residency application process. Report examples include top occupations for H-1B by state, top 10 employers sponsoring H-1B visas and top occupation areas for Permanent Residency applications. If you are applying for the H-1B work visa, you may be interested in researching the trends and patterns for this visa type in your state or industry. The U.S. Department of Labor publishes reports on top occupations for H-1B by state, top employers sponsoring this visa, and best occupation areas for permanent residency applications, among other data.

  • What if I am unable to secure a job in the US?

    We recognize international students face unique challenges in their job searches due to complex immigration systems. It is critical that you practice parallel planning and consider multiple avenues for employment, such as a multi-country job search in the US, your home country, and perhaps other countries to increase the likelihood that you will find employment after graduation. There are various career resources and programming available to help Broad students navigate global job searches and career opportunities, including: global resume books, networking series, career panel, treks, etc. Plan ahead and stay connected with our team!

  • Visa Information (Practical Trainings CPT and OPT)

    International students have unique challenges when it comes to a job search in the US. It is important to be knowledgeable about your visa status and to know how to effectively communicate these visa requirements with an employer. International students should respond honestly about their immigration status and work authorization eligibility when asked. Before the job search begins, international students need to learn about work authorization options to facilitate the hiring process for employers. There are two common types of off campus work authorizations F-1 international students can apply for:

    • Current Practical Training (CPT) – used for internships or work off-campus during the academic year; and
    • Optional Practical Training (OPT) – used for post-graduation employment.

    All off campus employment must be related to a student’s field of study. For more information, visit the OISS Visa and Immigration page. We recommend that all international students consult with an OISS advisor for any work authorization questions.

Stay Connected

students

Global Student Ambassador Program

The Global Student Ambassador Program is a global leadership program within the Russell Palmer Career Management Center. We provide services to over 500 international students each year, including career advising, workshops, and networking opportunities. Global Student Ambassadors (GSAs) play an integral role in creating awareness around our global career events and assisting the Palmer Center to meet the needs of diverse students at the Broad College. It provides opportunities for students to enhance global mindsets, increase intercultural communication skills and global engagement, and make meaningful interactions with other students. For more information, please contact Shinta Shintawati.

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I highly recommend the job shadowing program to all business students because I got to learn more about what daily work looks like as an accountant and could picture myself working in this industry after graduation in this opportunity. The host was very kind and provided valuable insights regarding the industry, company, departments and the job itself. I also appreciate that my host gave me lots of tailored career advice.
Tina Yang
M.S. in Accounting, Taiwan

Asia

  • Contact TAIWAN

    Website to engage overseas Chinese individuals to work in Taiwan. Contact TAIWAN actively links professionals to support the growth of Taiwan industries, and offers talent friendly service and information

    Learn more

  • 51Job.com

    Online database with job listings for students who are looking to focus their job search in China

    Learn more

  • Zhaopin.com

    Chinese job board; all content is in Chinese

    Learn more

  • Job Korea

    Korean job board which includes part-time, entry-level, and mid-career postings. All content is in Korean

    Learn more

  • Career Forum

    Website with information about internationally recognized job fairs for Japanese-English bilinguals. Also allows members to search for global job opportunities, apply to companies, and schedule interviews

    Learn more

Europe

  • Jobrapido

    Connects to multiple job sites in the United Kingdom

    Learn more

  • Eurojobs

    British job site that markets itself as the “only multi-country job site in Europe

    Learn more

  • Jobware

    International database of primarily German-based multinational companies.

    Learn more

Two students having a discussion in the Broad College's Minskoff Pavilion.

What Our Students Say

Darron Chen

Supply Chain Management, China

Saurav Lahon

M.S. in Marketing Research, India

Shirley Zheng

MBA, China

Spring 2024 Job Shadowing Program

Spring 2024 Global Student Ambassador Program

Palmer Center provides a high level of service. We will receive emails containing job openings indicating whether the positions are available for international students. Additionally, the Palmer Center organized resume books that contain information regarding global internships and full-time employment opportunities. As soon as we receive an interview invitation, we can also reserve an interview room and make sure we have a quiet and comfortable environment for virtual interviews. Last but not least, the staff at Palmer Center may send you job opportunities via message or email if they find a position that matches your background and interest. And this is how I obtained my internship at GEP within three months after enrolling in the MBA program!
Abigaile Wu
MBA, Taiwan

Contact Information

  • Russell Palmer Career Management Center
  • Minskoff Pavilion
  • 651 N Shaw Ln Rm M120
  • East Lansing, MI 48824
  • Phone: (517) 432-0830