International Student Career Journey
First Year: Exploration and Adjustment
Career Action Steps
Explore Majors & Careers
- Start with your interests, values, personality, abilities and strengths!
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Learn about majors/careers
- What can I do with this Major?
- Talk to academic advisors
- Purdue Majors Listed by College/School
- Explore career opportunities in Career Gateway
Begin Building Your Experience By:
- Joining a student organization, activities, and volunteering
- Getting an on-campus job, research, projects, job shadowing
Meet with a Pre-Professional Advisor if you are considering professional school (Pre-Law, Pre-Health, Pre-Vet and others)
CCO
Begin your career planning journey with CCO consultants
- Schedule an appointment on BoilerConnect with a career consultant for career/ major exploration
- Quick Chats with a peer consultant for professional documents and LinkedIn reviews and Career Gateway account.
Set up your Career Gateway account and COMPLETE profile
Meet with Pre-Professional Advisor (if applicable)
Additional Resources
Networking Tools
- Create a LinkedIn account and schedule a Quick Chat appointment for a Linkedin Profile Review.
Help with English Written/ Verbal Skills
Get to Know
- International Students and Scholars Office (ISS)
- Boiler Link - Finding your student organizations
- Applying for on-campus student employment
Second Year: Exploration and Gaining Experience
Career Action Steps
Gaining Experience
- Get more involved in extracurriculars through taking on additional responsibilities and leadership positions
- Applying for internships/Co-Op (if you are ready) or on-campus job
- Conduct research, projects that are related to your major or field of interest
- Start internship search early and contact Purdue ISS to learn about work authorization.
Continue Building on First Year Action Steps for Career/Major Exploration
- Connect with alumni on LinkedIn
- Conduct information interview
- Attend a career fair
Pre-Professional School Planning (if applicable)
- Research programs in your interested field and application process
Pre-Professional school planning (if applicable)
CCO
Continue your career planning journey with CCO
- Discuss Job Search Strategies
- Schedule an appointment on BoilerConnect with a career consultant for career/ major exploration
- Quick Chats with a peer consultant for professional documents and LinkedIn reviews and Career Gateway account.
- Upload the updated resume to Career Gateway’s resume book.
Meet with Pre-Professional Advisor (if applicable)
- Discuss professional programs and application process
Visit Job search in U.S.
Plan on Attending
- Career Fairs and Employer Related Events
- Check CCO Calendar for International Students workshops
Additional Resources
What Employers Are Seeking for in an Applicant?
Get to Know
- Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
- Office of Undergraduate Research
- Purdue University Discovery Park Undergraduate Research Internship Program (DURI)
- Office of Professional Practice
- Office of Engagement
Third Year: Gaining Experience and Internship Search
Career Action Steps
Build solid experience in your targeted career field through internships, Co-Op, research, projects, volunteering, and etc.
Begin your parallel planning
Career To-Dos
- Attend Fall/Spring career fairs and employer hosted information sessions
- Update your resume, cover letter, and Career Gateway profile. Don’t forget to upload your updated resume to Career Gateway’s resume book.
- Practice your elevator pitch . Don’t forget to check Career Spots videos to learn from top employers.
- Practice your interviewing skills.
Graduate and Professional School Planning
- Research programs in your interested field and application process
Employer Authorization
- Learn more about work authorization with Purdue ISS
CCO
Work with CCO
- Schedule an appointment on BoilerConnect with a career consultant to discuss job search strategies
- Quick Chats
- Use Big Interview and schedule a practice interview with CCO
- Graduate School Planning (if applicable)
Meet with Pre-Professional Advisor to discuss professional programs (if applicable)
Visit CCO Career Closet by appointment only on Boiler Connect.
Additional Resources
Internship and Job Search
Fourth Year: Post-graduation Preparation & Job Search
Career Action Steps
Evaluate post-graduation plan(s) and implement action steps.
Continue Career To-Dos from 3rd year.
Network to build connections for job search:
- Faculty and staff
- Alumni
- Professionals in the field
- Employers
- Peers
Let us know your post-graduation plans by filling out the Next Step Survey.
Submit your Graduate and Professional school application.
Employer Authorization
- Apply for work authorization on time.
CCO
Meet with a Career Consultant
- Polish job search strategies
- Quick Chats
- Graduate School Planning (if applicable)
- Negotiating job offers
Meet with Pre-Professional Advisors for professional school application (if applicable).