International Student & Global Career Resources

At networking and recruiting events, interaction approaches as a business conversation rather than an immigration conversation. Lead with your interest in the organization or opportunity, and highlight the skills, experiences, and perspectives you bring. The goal is to make a meaningful connection and help the employer understand your value.

Questions about work authorization or future sponsorship may come up. When they do, answer briefly, clearly, and honestly, and then redirect the conversation to your qualifications and interest in the opportunity.

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.

This is a great idea in theory, however it is extremely difficult to create and maintain such a list. Many employers are unwilling to disclose this information directly and policies are often changing. There is not a single easy way to identify consistent opportunities, as hiring decisions for both domestic and international talent often come down to the right candidate. For these reasons, a creative strategy is essential to identify eligible opportunities. Please schedule an appointment with one of the professional staff in the Global Career Initiatives team to identify the best strategies forward.

You may have concerns about whether employers in the U.S. hire international students. Online research and networking can help identify “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.

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.

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.

Staying informed about your immigration status and work authorization options is an essential part of career planning as an international student. Immigration regulations can change, and timelines and eligibility requirements vary by situation, so it is important to rely on official sources and seek guidance early.

• Regularly review updates from the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS), including emails, newsletters, workshops, and the OISS website.
• Attend OISS information sessions on employment, internships, and post-graduation planning.
• Plan to meet with an OISS advisor to discuss your individual circumstances, timelines, and questions—especially before accepting any off-campus work.

Many students have interests in working outside of the U.S. It is critical that you practice parallel planning and consider multiple avenues for employment, such as a multi-country job search in the U.S. and 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: networking series, global career panels, the job shadow program, short-term projects, and more! Plan ahead and stay connected with our team. Connect with Broad College of Business Education Abroad Office for international internship opportunities.

In addition, if you are an international student, we strongly recommend you consult with your OISS advisor early and regularly to understand timelines related to unemployment limits and how different employment scenarios may affect your legal status. Staying informed will help you make proactive and well-supported decisions during the transition after graduation.

Work authorization requirements vary by country, so it’s important to research visa options early and use reliable sources. Start with official government immigration websites for the country of interest and ask potential employers whether visa sponsorship is available. You can also learn a great deal through alumni networks, global career programs, and professional contacts who have experience working in that country. While OISS primarily advises on U.S. immigration, they can help you think through timing and parallel planning as you explore international opportunities. Below are some examples:

Canada: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Germany: Make it in Germany (official portal)
Japan: Immigration Services Agency of Japan

You can develop global skills by intentionally seeking experiences that involve working across cultures, countries, or institutional contexts during your time at Broad. Opportunities such as participating in global career panels, international job shadowing, short-term global projects, or serving as a Global Student Ambassador allow you to engage with employers, alumni, and peers in globally oriented settings. Working on international research or teaching teams and building relationships with international students, alumni, and employers can further strengthen your ability to communicate and collaborate across cultural and professional boundaries.

Academic and Co-Curricular Options

• Pursue an International Business minor
• Participate in education abroad program
• Take language courses to strengthen cross-cultural and professional communication
• Explore events with global mindset development focus on Broad 360

Student Organizations with a Global Focus (These student organizations welcome all Broad students)

• • Broad International Student Council (BISC)
  • International Business Student Organization (IBSO)

Explore additional opportunities through Student Organizations – MSU Broad College of Business

Broad College of Business students bring diverse experiences, international perspectives, and cross-cultural competencies to the workplace. Through a globally focused curriculum, international collaboration, and experiences such as study abroad, students develop the skills needed to work effectively in multicultural and global business environments.

International students are also an important part of this global learning community. At the Broad College of Business, international students represent about 10% of the student population and come from more than 50 countries, contributing diverse perspectives and global insights to the campus community.

Students with international backgrounds often bring multilingual skills, global market awareness, and experience navigating cross-cultural environments. Having studied and lived across national and cultural contexts, international students bring unique strengths to the workplace, including cultural intelligence, adaptability in unfamiliar environments, multilingual communication, global perspectives, and the ability to collaborate effectively across cultures.

Across the United States, international students contributed over $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 378,000 jobs in the 2023–2024 academic year. Many international students are also eligible to work in the U.S. through programs such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allow them to gain professional experience related to their field of study.

We make it easy for you. You can participate in career fairs, employer information sessions, networking events, and job and internship postings through Handshake to reach talented students across the college.

To learn more about recruiting options and how to partner with Palmer, please visit the Palmer Career Management Center Employer Relations page: https://broad.msu.edu/career-management/employers/

If you are open to hiring international students, please connect with the Global Career Initiatives team. We can help identify additional opportunities to build your brand on campus and engage with globally minded students, including panels, networking events, and other programming focused on global careers. To learn more about recruiting options and how to partner with us, email palmergci@broad.msu.edu.

Hiring international students is straight forward as many students are eligible to work. Explore the explainer guide below on how to hire international students for full-time jobs: https://cdn.uconnectlabs.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2023/11/PostGrad-Hiring-International-Students-Student-Employer-Explainer.pdf

Have additional questions? We are happy to help. Email palmergci@broad.msu.edu.

You may choose to sponsor international employees through several visa pathways. Examples include:

• • H-1B Visa – For specialty occupations requiring specialized knowledge
  • O-1 Visa – For individuals with extraordinary ability in fields such as business, science, or education
  • TN Visa – For eligible professionals from Canada and Mexico
  • E-3 Visa – For specialty occupation professionals from Australia
  • L-1 Visa – For intracompany transfers within multinational organizations

For more information, refer to USCIS website: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-nonimmigrant-workers

Yes. The Global Career Initiatives team engages with employers beyond recruiting events. You can participate in career panels, guest speaking, networking sessions, and experiential learning opportunities such as the Job Shadow Program and the Short-Term Project where students work on real-world business challenges. These collaborations allow you to share industry insights, build relationships with global-minded students, and develop connections for future recruitment needs.