What’s the Deal With…
FINDING EMPLOYMENT FOR
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS &
THE CENTER FOR CAREER
SERVICES
Thursday, August 27, 2015, MC 309
Anne Scammon, Managing Director
GW Center for Career Services
Employment, Careers, and
International Students
• Greetings
• Welcome to GW, Washington, DC, and the U.S.
• Tell Me About Yourself
– How are you? Where are you from?
– Employed before? Career goal or dream?
• Today I’d like to learn . . .
Today
• Center for Career Services
– On and Off Campus Employment
– Internship/Co-op/CPT
• Regulations/Eligibility
• Recommendations for International Student
Career Success
• TOP TEN TIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
GW Center for Career Services (CCS)
• CCS supports international students’ career and employment
goals through programs and services that assist international
students to identify their career interests and to build job
search skills to pursue U.S. or home/alternative country
employment.
• CCS works with international students seeking part-time jobs,
internships and Co-op opportunities, within the limits of U.S.
immigration regulations.
• Visit the CCS to meet with your Career Coach and to enhance
your career and employment options.
Selected Center Services
• Individualized Career Coaching/Industry Coaching
• Online Resources: Vault, Interview Stream, Focus
2, GoinGlobal, GWork, Career Advisor Network
• Career Programs and Workshops
– Customized workshops for international students:
resume writing, interviews, job search, networking,
career fair: 9/8/15 to 10/20/15
– International Student-Alumni Networking Night,
10/14/15
Working at GW (On Campus)
• Student Employment opportunities allows GW
students to work part-time on campus.
• GW hires over 5,600 students each year.
• Work on campus to build relationships and to
experience the U.S. workplace, culture, and
traditions.
Student Employment Fast Facts
• Students usually work 8-10 hours weekly.
• GW students are usually paid $9.50-$11.00.
• DC minimum wage is $9.50/hour
• Pay rate is determined by hiring department
• Students are not “placed” in positions. You
apply and are interviewed for each position.
• Positions are competitive and not guaranteed.
Benefits of Working On Campus ?
• $$$$
• Develop communication skills
– Build English skills and vocabulary
– Develop comfort with U.S. workforce body language
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Define U.S. workplace performance standards
Understand U.S. professional culture/practice
Identify contacts for future networking
Explore career options
Find a Job On-Campus
• GWork – GW online job listing service!
• New students received their login information
via email from gworkhelp@gwu.edu
• Search by options: “GW On-Campus, Not FWS”
• Contact departments directly to inquire about jobs
• You may work at any of 200+ GW campus
departments
• Follow up with contacts about your application
Student Employment Regulations
• F1 Visa students may work on campus at GW offices.
• Students with other visas must speak to International Services
Office (ISO) about work eligibility.
• Once hired, be prepared to show original documents to
complete I9 process in the Center for Career Services.
• Passport, I-20, I-94 & Visa
• Student may work for no more than 20 hours per week
while classes are in session; 40 hours per week during
official class breaks.
• The number of hours worked must include all hours worked in all
GW positions, and total 20 or fewer hours.
• International students will need to notify their International
Student Advisor and obtain a Social Security card.
Off Campus Employment
• International students who want to work offcampus are required by federal regulations to:
– Enroll in a curricular course (Co-op) to apply for
CPT through ISO.
– Apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
through the International Services Office (ISO).
• International students must connect with an
International Services Office (ISO) Advisor to determine
eligibility for Curricular Practical Training.
GW Cooperative Education
• “Curricular course” . . . . GW Cooperative
Education (Co-op) or an Internship.
• Cooperative Education (Co-op) through the
Center for Career Services (CCS)
– All Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
– All School of Engineering and Applied Science
– Undergraduates, Elliott School of International
Affairs
• Internships: All Other Schools’ Deans’ Offices
Cooperative Education Eligibility
• All students must have completed two semesters as a full
time student.
• All students must be enrolled full-time at the University
(12 hours undergraduate)
• Undergraduate students must have and maintain a
minimum 2.5 GPA.
• Students obtain experiences that are directly is related to
his/her academic studies; may or may not be paid, and
must occur for a minimum of 10 weeks or 100 hours
between the first and last day of the semester’s classes.
Career Tips for International Students
• Focus early on career development; practice networking
– Start with joining a student organization, attend events
• Visit the GW Center for Career Services (GWSB)
– Learn about the U.S. job search, interviews, and networking.
– Schedule an appointment with your Career Coach
• Build your network and learn to connect
– Over 80% of Americans find employment from networking.
Create new connections in the U.S. and GW.
• Practice your English with native English speakers
– U.S. employers rate “the ability to verbally communicate …” as a
most important skill for new hires.
• Be a part of American culture
– Volunteer in the community, read American
newspapers/websites, ask questions, demonstrate courage.
Employment and Careers
Welcome to GW & the U.S.!
Anne V. Scammon, Managing Director,
Curricular and Strategic Initiatives.
GW Center for Career Services
Colonial Crossroads, Marvin Center 5th Floor