Career Management for International Students - Ramesh Jayavaram
1. Career Management for International Students
Be Proactive and Create More Opportunities
Presented by :
Ramesh Jayavaram
MBA - Class of 2016, Northeastern University
Co-founder and Career Coach at CareerGuruGlobal
2. What it takes get a good job and visa sponsorship
● Communication Skills
● Relevant Experience
● Strong Network
● Tailored Application Materials
● Technical Skills
● Perseverance
● Positive Mindset
● Resourcefulness
● Team Player Mindset
● Good Grades
● Other factors*
2
Good grades are not
enough. Relevant
work experience and
soft skills are
important.
3. ● Short-term and long-term goals
● Research about:
i. Roles and responsibilities
ii. Types of organizations
iii. Benefits, etc.
● Gap Analysis
● Build your knowledge and skills
● Network
● Get US experience
● Diversify your efforts
Create an Action Plan
3
Start focusing on job
search early.
Allocate your time
and energy to what’s
important.
4. Build your knowledge and skills
● College/University
i. Classes
ii. Group projects
iii. Co-ops/internships
● Certifications
● Books, trade journals, industry news
● Conferences, meetups
● Online courses
● Volunteering
● Own side-project
4
Soft skills are very
important. Build your
communication and
presentation skills.
5. ● Alumni - alma mater, Northeastern U.
● Teachers, professors, mentors
● Family and friends
● Ex-colleagues and superiors
● Classmates
● People whom you meet in conferences
● Social media - LinkedIn, blogs, authors
● Any one who can help you and whom you
can help
Network
5
Build your US
network and
utilize your
existing
connections.
6. US work experience
shows you understand
the work culture here.
Get US work experience
● University Clubs
● Academic Projects
● Side Projects
● Part-time work on-campus
● Volunteering
● Contract Work
● Full-time roles
6
Always check with OGS
and have proper legal
documentation.
7. Beyond famous companies that sponsor H1-B visa
● Focus on small and medium companies
● H1-B quota exempt organizations
● Other visa categories
● Home country opportunities
● International organizations
● Government organizations
● Other countries - E.g. Canada
● Continued education - STEM program
● Cities and states that are growing
7
More than 75% jobs
are not listed online.
Networking matters.
Work on plan A, B and
C (home country)
simultaneously.
8. Be positive, take care of self
● Smart preparation - understand
what’s important for your career
● Get a holistic experience
● Take care of health
● Have a support group
● Accountability partner
● Keep the long-term goals in mind
8
You are unique - culture,
education, skills, passion
and experience.
Use your uniqueness to
get great opportunities.
9. ● Your career center
● Alumni Network
● Career fairs - Boston and beyond
○ Professional Associations
○ Eventbrite
○ Meetups
● Books
○ International Advantage
○ Power Ties
○ 2-Hour Job Search
○ Start-up of You
● LinkedIn
● Glassdoor
Resources
9
Use your career center
services properly. They
are here to help you
succeed.
