Working with International Students in the U.S. and Beyond: A Summary of Survey Research by NCDA International Student Services Committee

Authors

  • Elif Balin San Francisco State University, United States
  • Nicole M. Anderson Tufts University, United States
  • Satomi Y. Chudasama Princeton University, United States
  • Sutha K. Kanagasingam University of Nebraska-Lincoln, United States
  • Lily Zhang Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v6i4.335

Keywords:

international students, career development, career services, higher education

Abstract

The career development process is one of the most important aspects of the international student experience. Providing comprehensive and culturally competent services requires institutional efforts that utilize best practices developmentally throughout the college experience and beyond. This article is based on the work of the International Student Services Committee of the National Career Development Association, especially the surveys conducted with international students, career development professional and employers. The authors focus on three major themes from the surveys: knowledge about work authorization options, impact of cultural differences on job search, and specialized career services for international students. Discussing these major themes, the authors report on best practices and future implications for supporting international student career development in the U.S. and beyond.

Author Biographies

  • Elif Balin, San Francisco State University, United States

    ELIF BALIN, PhD, LPC, NCC, is an Assistant Professor of Counseling. She teaches the career counseling, group counseling, and counseling practicum/internship courses at the Department of Counseling at San Francisco State University. Her research focuses on the connection between cross-cultural transition, mental health and career development experiences of international students and recent immigrants in the U.S. She currently leads the Research and Writing Team of the NCDA International Student Services Committee. 

  • Nicole M. Anderson, Tufts University, United States

    NICOLE M. ANDERSON is the Associate Director of Alumni Career Services at the Tufts University Career Center and an instructor for Tufts Experimental College where she teaches a personal career development course for undergraduates. Over the past two decades she has advised undergraduates, graduate students and alumni from a range of academic disciplines at both Tufts University and Boston College. 

  • Satomi Y. Chudasama, Princeton University, United States

    SATOMI YAJI CHUDASAMA, NCC, MCC, GCDF, is currently Associate Director-Employer Relations & Recruiting at Princeton University. Prior to her current role, she spent 15 years as a career counselor working with a wide range of college students and alumni, including international students. In her present position, she combines her expertise in career counseling and employer relations to help students make informed and sound career decisions that align with their career and life aspirations and offers professional development. 

  • Sutha K. Kanagasingam, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, United States

    SUTHA K KANAGASINGAM, M.A. is a doctoral student in counseling psychology. Her research and practice interests include college students' career development and mental health. 

  • Lily Zhang, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States

    LILY ZHANG, is assistant director of career counseling and training at MIT where she works with a range of students from undergraduates to PhDs on how to reach their career aspirations. She also trains and develops new career counselors in her office’s Career Assistant program. Her career development insights have been published online in The Muse, TIME, Newsweek, Business Insider, and Forbes. 

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Published

2016-10-01

Issue

Section

Cross-Border Narratives

How to Cite

Working with International Students in the U.S. and Beyond: A Summary of Survey Research by NCDA International Student Services Committee. (2016). Journal of International Students, 6(4), 1053-1061. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v6i4.335