International Students – Career & Professional Development | University of Denver https://career.du.edu Wed, 16 Apr 2025 20:43:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 Interstride https://career.du.edu/resources/interstride/ Thu, 06 Mar 2025 23:26:45 +0000 https://career.du.edu/?post_type=resource&p=209354 Interstride is a resource tailored to international students, with a plethora of tools and insights to assist you in searching for jobs and internships both in the U.S. and globally.

]]> 209354 How to Write a Cover Letter (Korbel MA Students) https://career.du.edu/resources/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-korbel-ma-students-2/ Tue, 11 Feb 2025 23:06:57 +0000 https://career.du.edu/?post_type=resource&p=208533 Click “View Resource” for a helpful PDF that provides tips on writing a cover letter for employment opportunities!

]]> 208533 Impact Source https://career.du.edu/resources/impact-source/ Mon, 16 Dec 2024 22:20:21 +0000 https://career.du.edu/?post_type=resource&p=204733 ImpactSource is an extensive job search database provided by the organization TechChange. ImpactSource uses AI-powered algorithms to constantly update and edit the database with new postings. Alumni have used this resource in the past to find positions in dozens of different sectors for a variety of experience levels.

]]> 204733 How to Set Up Your LinkedIn Profile https://career.du.edu/resources/how-to-set-up-your-linkedin-profile/ Wed, 04 Dec 2024 22:39:42 +0000 https://career.du.edu/?post_type=resource&p=203921 Click “View Resource” for a helpful PDF that provides tips on setting up a professional LinkedIn account for employment opportunities and networking!

]]> 203921 Industry Clusters https://career.du.edu/industry-clusters/ Mon, 02 Dec 2024 22:02:33 +0000 https://career.du.edu/?page_id=203697

Here at DU Career and Professional Development, we focus on Industry Clusters to equip our students with the skills needed for career readiness. By targeting sectors like technology, healthcare, energy, and education, we provide insights and experiences that meet industry demands.

With over 70% of our graduates staying in Colorado, they seamlessly integrate into the local job market. This industry-specific approach gives our students a competitive edge, making them highly sought after by employers.

What is an Industry Cluster?

An industry cluster is a geographic concentration of interconnected businesses, organizations, and associated institutions in a particular field. Focusing on industry clusters during a job search can be highly beneficial, providing greater clarity and purpose. Here’s why:

  • Targeted Exploration: Industry clusters group similar professions, helping students efficiently identify roles that match their skills and interests.
  • Skill Alignment: Focusing on a cluster allows students to tailor their education to meet industry demands.
  • Networking Opportunities: Clusters provide valuable connections, mentorship, and insights into industry trends.
  • Informed Decision-Making: Understanding careers within a cluster helps students make informed choices about their future.
  • Career Readiness: Clusters help students align their academic and extracurricular activities with career goals.
  • Adaptability: Transferable skills within a cluster offer flexibility in a dynamic job market.

Explore Industries

  • Teaching & Training
  • Administration
  • Visual, Performance, and Creative Arts

Learn more about the many pathways into the Education & Community Development, Creative Industries here.

  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
  • Diagnostic Services
  • Counseling & Mental Health Services
  • Pre-Health
  • Health Care Management
  • Sport and Performance

Learn more about the many pathways into the Health & Wellness Bioscience industries here.

  • Renewable Energy
  • Outdoor Recreational Leadership
  • Energy Efficiency & Solar
  • Environmental Technology

Learn more about the many pathways into the Outdoor Recreation, Food & Agriculture, Energy & Natural Resources industries here.

  • Corporate Management
  • Human Resource Management
  • Hospitality Management
  • Communications and Public Relations
  • Accounting
  • Real Estate & Construction Management
  • Ops/Security/Logistics

This industry Cluster is primarily served by the Daniels College of Business. Learn more about the many pathways into the Business, Marketing, Hospitality, Finance industries here.

  • Applied Engineering
  • Robotics and Automation
  • Electricity and Electronics
  • Computer Science
  • Cybersecurity

Learn more about the many pathways in the Engineering & Technology Advanced Manufacturing industries here.

  • Government Contractors
  • Foreign Service
  • Governance
  • Legal Services
  • Public Management and Administration
  • Law and Legal Services

Learn more about the many pathways into the Aerospace & Defense, Government & Public Service here.

Resources

]]> 203697 GoGovernment https://career.du.edu/resources/gogovernment/ Tue, 19 Nov 2024 22:13:11 +0000 https://career.du.edu/?post_type=resource&p=202823 GoGovernment is a resource for anyone interested in working for the Federal Government. In addition to career guides, GoGovernment has an internship search engine, resources to help determine what agency might be for you, and additional resources to help understand the hiring process. 

]]> 202823 International Student Milestones: Key Information and Steps for Your Success! https://career.du.edu/blog/2024/08/26/international-student-milestones-key-information-and-steps-for-your-success/ Mon, 26 Aug 2024 17:16:24 +0000 https://career.du.edu/?p=196475 As an international student, there is a lot of information about what you need to do to begin your studies and reach your goals. To help you see an overview of the different steps and resources available to you, we’ve created the following milestones.

Within each milestone, there is a mix of different actions listed (either required or recommended) that will help you progress in your academics and toward graduation.

Important: these milestones are general recommendations, but your specific visa and/or personal circumstances may be different. Please consult and confirm with ISSS and/or your academic advisor with any questions, concerns, or issues you may have.

Acronyms

  • DU = University of Denver
  • ISSS = International Student and Scholar Services
  • CPD = Career and Professional Development
  • PCO = Pioneer Careers Online, DU’s career platform and job/internship board
  • STEM = Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
  • CPT = Curricular Practical Training for F-1 visa students
  • OPT = Optional Practical Training for F-1 visa students
  • SEVIS = Web-based system for maintaining information on nonimmigrant student and exchange visitors in the U.S.

DU Websites:

ISSS

Career and Professional Development

Academic Advising

Student Employment

Student Disability Services (SDS)

Alumni Career and Professional Development

  • Accept your DU offer of admission and complete the Slate International Checklist and financial verification so your visa can be issued.
  • Register full-time in classes and review your on-campus and graduation course requirements. Purchase books and class materials as necessary.
  • Confirm if your program is considered STEM or non-STEM for OPT purposes.
  • Plan ahead for where you will live, your financial budget, transportation to/from campus, groceries, etc.
  • Create a plan for housing, transportation to/from campus, and budget for groceries and other living essentials.
  • Complete ISSS check-in process after arrival and attend International Student Orientation after arrival in U.S.
  • Learn about U.S. style resume standards, then upload your resume to PCO.
  • Attend a session on International Student Employment and learn from ISSS about your work authorization status. Explore on-campus student jobs on PCO.
  • Brainstorm and research potential career paths and job titles related to your degree, if you’re planning to pursue H1-B visa after graduation. Or explore additional educational paths (MA, PhD, etc.)
  • Complete your profile in Crimson Constellation and explore other student/alumni profiles.

  • Begin your classes and become familiar with Canvas, the DU quarter system, and the format of your classes (on-campus, hybrid, asynchronous).
  • Start learning about CPT and OPT requirements, which typically cannot be done during your first academic year.
  • Schedule a career advising appointment on PCO with your career advisor and try attending a career workshop or an on-campus career fair.
  • Consider applying for an on-campus student employment job and attend the fall quarter Student Employment Job Fair. If you get a student employment job, apply for a Social Security Number (SSN).
  • Meet with your academic advisor to create a graduation degree plan so you know what classes to take every quarter.
  • Meet new people and grow your friend group by attending social and academic events on and off-campus. Use CrimsonConnect to see what events are happening on-campus!
  • Familiarize yourself with DU resources that can help you with academics, culture, language, and other needs. It’s ok (and expected) to ask for help!
  • Conduct an informational interview with 1-2 alumni or professionals in your field to learn more about career paths and what you need to do to be successful. Consider using Crimson Constellation and/or LinkedIn to find these alumni/professionals.

  • Review OPT website and/or attend workshop to learn about timeline and process for work authorization after graduation.
  • Meet with ISSS if you’re interested in pursuing OPT or CPT before or after graduation.
  • Continue to build career skills. For example: practice writing a cover letter, update your resume, update your LinkedIn profile, attend a networking event, etc.
  • Identify employers of interest in H1-B database on GoinGlobal.
  • Meet with your academic advisor to confirm your graduation plan and class schedule.
  • Participate in on-campus groups or clubs, and attend events, and hold leadership positions to build leadership and communication skills.
  • Consider applying for student employment, if you have not done so already, or continue your student employment. Identify the transferable skills you’re building and practice talking about them to employers!
  • If relevant, learn about the U.S. hiring process for jobs/internships and start practicing your interview skills.

  • Prepare and complete your program related capstone, thesis, or other final project.
  • Understand your timeline for different options post-graduation and consider alternate plans in case things change unexpectedly.
  • Work with ISSS to apply for OPT or take next steps to maintain non-immigrant status such as apply for new program or schedule SEVIS transfer to new school. Learn how to report OPT employment after graduation
  • Meet with your career advisor to identify job search strategies and plan.
  • Continue your job search preparation and practice articulating your skills to potential employers.
  • Attend All-Majors career fair(s) that align with your hiring timeframe.
  • If applicable, start applying for graduate programs of interest.
  • Apply for and attend graduation.
  • Learn about your Alumni Career and Professional Development team and services.

  • Determine next steps after OPT such as departing US, starting new academic program or applying for STEM OPT, if applicable.
  • Continue to meet and communicate with your career advisor up to 1-year post-graduation.
  • Complete First-Destinations survey on PCO to update your plans post-graduation.
  • Explore resources with Alumni Career and Professional Development team 1+ years post-graduation.

Job Search Platforms

Navigating the job market as an international student can be daunting, but fortunately, numerous job platforms are designed to assist you in finding suitable opportunities. Here are two standout options to begin your search:

PCO is a comprehensive career resource platform designed to connect students and alumni with job opportunities tailored to their skills and qualifications.

Included in every job posting is information about U.S. work authorization requirements. To filter for a more targeted search follow the steps below.

  • To search jobs that are eligible for certain visa statuses, login and go to the Job Board.
  • Select “Advanced Search”.
  • Select “Add Filter”.
  • Select “US Visa Sponsorship”, “Curricular Practical Training”, “Optional Practical Training”, and/or “US Citizenship” (select ‘this job does not require US Citizenship’).

Interstride is a platform tailored to international students designed to find jobs, build your professional network, and access up-to-date information and resources.

Students can search job postings with a variety of filters, including filtering companies based on their relationship with hiring and supporting international students.

]]> 196475 Information on the Diversity Visa Program https://career.du.edu/blog/2024/02/15/information-on-the-diversity-visa-program/ Thu, 15 Feb 2024 19:22:14 +0000 https://career.du.edu/?p=154423 Hello International Students! As you navigate your options for employment post-graduation and H1B sponsorship, you may be interested to know that there’s an alternative pathway for securing a US Visa and the right to work within the United States, the Diversity Visa (DV) program. Every year, up to 55,000 immigrants from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States can receive the Diversity Visa and secure a United States Green Card. Unfortunately, natives of countries with more than 50000 immigrants to the US in the previous 5 years, are not eligible to apply. The online registration to participate in the DV lottery usually runs from early October to mid-November each year. Although this remains a highly competitive pathway for a United States Visa, it provides an alternative option to applying for an H1B through your employer. Furthermore, through this program, no single country can receive more than 7% of the available Diversity Visas.


Learn more about the Diversity Visa at the US Department of State Website!

]]> 154423 How to Prepare for the Career Fair https://career.du.edu/videos/how-to-prepare-for-the-career-fair/ Thu, 05 Oct 2023 16:08:43 +0000 https://career.du.edu/?post_type=video&p=144902 Learn how to make the most of your time while attending one of our All Majors Career & Internship Fairs. You’ll learn tips and tricks to successfully navigate the fair and talk with employers.

]]> 144902 The Ultimate Guide to Negotiating Your Salary (Korbel MA Students) https://career.du.edu/blog/2023/01/11/korbel-ma-students-the-ultimate-guide-to-negotiating-your-salary/ Wed, 11 Jan 2023 21:22:37 +0000 https://career.du.edu/?p=121230 By Cheryl Wagemann, moneygeek.com

Though there are some things in life you can’t negotiate — like your tax bracket or the inflation rate — your salary isn’t one of them. Negotiation is a standard part of the hiring process when you’re starting a new role. However, a 2020 Glassdoor study found that 59% of American employees did not negotiate their salary. And gender plays a role: of the one in 10 U.S. employees who negotiate and successfully get a raise, men are three times more successful than women.

Asking for a raise or negotiating your salary at a new job can seem daunting, but some tricks and tactics can help you go into it more confidently.

US Salary Negotiations Facts:

If you’re feeling apprehensive about asking for a raise, you’re not alone. It turns out there are several factors that influence how likely you are to ask for a raise. There’s hope you’ll succeed as more businesses are doling out raises in 2022.

  • In 2022, 62% of U.S. workers plan to ask for a raise; if workers don’t receive a raise, just 31% plan to ask to revisit their salary conversation in a few months.
  • In 2022, 92% of businesses surveyed are giving base pay raises. And 44% of those organizations are giving out more than a 3% raise.
  • More workers would rather speak in public than ask for a raise. About 66% of those surveyed were more comfortable with public speaking than the 56% who were more comfortable with asking for a raise.

Select the MoneyGeek hyperlink above to read the full article.

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