Supporting the Career

Development Needs of
International &
Undocumented Students

Presenters: Lizz Giordano and Jenna Clancy

Lizz
Jenna
 Dr. Sophia Rodriguez - Undocumented Immigrant Youth in Troubling Times:
An overview of policies and their impact on undocumented youth in higher
education

1. provided basic terminology in regards to immigrants and labels that

surround them
2. provided historical context for immigration and educational policy in the US
at the federal and state levels
3. shared narratives from high school students about their experiences of
crossing the US border and stereotypes they encountered
 Dr. Laura Gonzalez - Welcoming and Safe: Creating a Campus Climate for
Undocumented Students

1. shared narratives from college students in NC who are DACA or undocumented

and discussed what choices they have in terms of access for higher ed in our state
2. explored the question "what can we do to welcome our undocumented peers?"
from the individual, group, and systems perspectives
3. shared some examples of programs that are being implemented at UNCG or
nearby campuses to provide ideas for outreach and support
Learning Objectives
1. The audience will be able to identify ways to become more interculturally
engaged on university campuses.
2. The audience will be able to name the prominent international student Visa
types.
3. The audience will be able to recognize international student strengths and
barriers.
4. The audience will be able to reiterate what the corporate sponsorship of
international students in the U.S. looks like, and strategies for students to
help initiate that process.
 International Student Demographics
● International students in the US declined by 7% in fall 2017
● 45% of 500 US campuses surveyed by the Institute of International
Education reported drops in new international enrollment
● 2016-2017 showed a population of 1.08 million international students in
the US, an increase of 85% from the previous decade
International Students Defined

Any foreign national who holds, or intends to hold, any temporary non-immigrant
visa/status in the U.S.

Applicants who are U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, pending permanent
residency, political asylees, refugees, or undocumented aliens are considered
“domestic applicants”
*UNCG Admissions
 Students with
International
Identities

Undocumented DACA First-Generation

Students Students Immigrant Students
International Student Strengths
● Often multilingual
● Different perspective/problem solving skills
● Increased multicultural awareness
● Bold/risk takers
● Enhance companies values
of diversity & inclusion
Cultural Barriers
● Language barriers
● Cultural norms - introductions, self-promotion
● Trouble asking for help
● Lack of U.S. based network
 First Generation Immigrant Student Support
● Have similar barriers that first-generation students face
○ Students and parents usually unfamiliar with collegiate infrastructure/resources
○ Smaller networks within institution
○ Tend to come from lower-income families
○ More likely to have a part time job and to live off campus
○ Less likely to be involved in campus activities

● Have similar characteristics and needs to international students

○ English might be second language
○ Less familiar with US educational customs/system
○ Trouble asking for help
Undocumented Student Support
● How do you support
undocumented students?
● How do you help students
without legal status find a
career/job?
● Remember not ALL undocumented/DACA
students are from Latino/a population
● Take part in
diversity/cultural/equity/inclusion
trainings
● Volunteer with population within
community
● Understand that not all students are
coming into college with the same
background (different preparation)
 DACA is Not the Same as Undocumented
● DACA students have the right to work

● Students do not have an affirmative duty to tell employer that they have
DACA or that their work authorization has expired or will expire

● Current DACA work authorization forms are

Valid until their expiration date
● New DACA applicants are not being accepted

*Center for New North Carolinians

Student Visa Types

1. F-1

2. J-1

3. M-1
F-1 During College

● On-campus employment

● Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

● Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Visa After Degree Completion
● STEM degrees
● F-1- OPT

● J-1- Academic Training

● H-1B

● Permanent Resident/Green Card

H-1B

● Employer sponsorship
● Degree must be related to job
● Duration: 3 years + 3 years (6 years total)
● Work with company filing petition
● If change to new employer will need to file new petition
H-1B Fees

● Attorney fees

● CIS Filing fees

○ Base fee - $460

○ Fraud Prevention Fee - $500

○ “Training Fee” - $1500 ($750 for 25 employees or less)

○ Optional Premium Processing Fee (15 days) - $1225

H-1B Quotas

● October 1 – new quota released

● April 1 – pre-filing for new quota

● May/Dec – graduation & OPT

● Total 85,000

○ 20,000 (advanced degrees)

○ 65,000 (all degrees)

H-1B Exempt Organizations

● Universities

● Non-profit organizations affiliated with universities (such as research

facilities or hospitals)

● Non-profit research organizations, engaged primarily in basic or applied

research

● Governmental research organizations (federal, state, or local government)

Employer Sponsorship and Fees

● When should students tell employers

about international student status?
● When should students ask about H-1B
Sponsorship?
● How should students tell employers
about these things?
 Navigating the Career Search
● Campus career center
○ Campus career fairs, resume/cover letter workshops, mock interviews

● International student center

○ Visa assistance, DACA information, additional support
Think Globally

● Encourage students to look at global companies

○ Can work abroad after graduation in order to return to the USA after a few years
● DevX
● Goin’ Global
● Meetups
○ International/Immigrant students from same country/language
○ Work together to practice elevator pitch
○ Bounce ideas off each other
● International, DACA, and Undocumented Students need to work twice as
hard to get the job
Become Interculturally Engaged

● Everyone’s responsibility
● Attend multicultural campus events
● Advise an international student group
● Visit Office of Intercultural Engagement
● Get involved with community organizations
● Travel
○ Advise service trips, domestic/international
study abroad trips, work abroad
Resources

Hot Topics Resources

Questions?
 References
Deferred action for childhood arrivals 2017 announcement. (n.d.). Retrieved March 1, 2018, from
https://www.uscis.gov/daca2017

Gibbons, M.M. & Shoffner, M.F. (2004). Prospective first-generation college students: meeting their needs through social
cognitive career theory. Retrieved March 1, 2018 from
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0kOC/is_1_8/ai_n6335448/pg_10

International admissions - international programs center, the university of North Carolina at Greensboro. (n.d.).
Retrieved March 1, 2018, from https://international.uncg/admfaq.html

Rhoades, M.B., (2017). Work visas for international graduates of U.S. universities: what options are available now, and
what can we expect in the new administration. In McCandlish Holton PC Series. Retrieved from
https://www.lawmh.com

Saul, S. (2017, November 13). Fewer foreign students are coming to U.S., survey shows. Retrieved March 1, 2018, from
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/13/us/fewer-foreign-students-coming-to-un.html

Kopan, T. (2017, September 5). Trump ends DACA but gives congress window to save it. Retrieved March 1, 2018 from,
https://www.cnn.com/2017/09/05/politics/daca-trump-congress/index.html

What DACA recipients need to know. (2017, September 14). Retrieved March 1, 2018, from
https://cnnc.uncg.edu/what-daca-recipients-need-to-know