Tips/Advice

24 Jul

Find a Mentor in the U.S.A.

Attending college and/or graduate school in a new country with foreign culture, traditions and language is extremely challenging. Not having a guide and mentor makes it even harder.

A mentor is a professional, who is either a few years ahead of you on their career path or someone who has worked in your desired industry for years. Listening to how they got to where they are today can help you avoid mistakes, and inspire you to embark on certain activities you might not have even thought about.

For example, they may share a few professional organizations you should join, advise you on what classes you should and shouldn’t take, help you craft your resume for a specific industry, and refer you for a job after graduation.

How to Find a Mentor in the USA:

University Mentor Programs
Some university career centers have mentor programs where they will match you up with someone in your field. This is ideal, so if your university has this – sign up!

Research Leaders in Your Chosen Field
Research your field and look for individuals who have a job title you would love to have in the future. Look for alumni of your university, or someone who has completed the same course of study, two years ahead of you. It is more likely that alumni will want to help out those who are following their same path.

Contact Them
Follow them or Twitter, Facebook or Weibo. Contact them through email or LinkedIn. Tell them why their career path has inspired you and ask if you can meet for a cup of coffee or tea. It is always flattering to hear someone admires your career, so make sure you do some research on their accomplishments before making contact.

Ask for Help
Mentors are able to provide feedback on your resume, knowing what executives look for in your specific field. They may be able to align you with an internship and help you choose the right course load – especially if they graduated from the same program.

Have one mentor or have three. Just make sure you’re not navigating this path alone. Mentors are invaluable guides that will help you shape your career.

Through IGSS’s program, we provide access to mentors year-round. They will check up with you frequently to make sure your classes and internship match your career goals, provide feedback on your resume and help you prepare you for future interviews.

Get involved today! IGSS Graduate Program kicks off on August 5. Email: info@globalstudentsuccess.com or call 609-275-9773.

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19 Jul

Tips for Networking & Making Connections

One of the greatest benefits of higher education is the connections you will make. Orientation, classes, seminars and workshops provide the opportunity to meet hundreds of valuable contacts. You may not have the time to “meet” everyone and be officially introduced, but you can network afterwards (and in the privacy of your own home) through social media networks. Do not be shy; push yourself to network from Day One.

Here are a few tips for Successful Networking:

Write Down a Speaker’s Name and Company
It is likely you will forget where they work or how to spell their name later, so write it down while they are in still speaking. You can always Google them later.

Ask a Question
There’s always a point at the end of a seminar, where they say, “Any questions?” Ask one. It shows you were interested in the topic and eager to hear more. Always introduce yourself first and then ask the question.

Make Contact Soon
There’s an American expression, “Strike while the iron is hot”, meaning the sooner you reach out, the more relevant your message will be. If you hear someone speak, send a follow-up email or tweet within 24-36 hours. It can be short and complimentary, but send it.

For example, on Twitter:
@MrGreatSpeaker Thanks for an inspiring lecture. I look forward to hearing more of your insight in the future.

For example, on LinkedIn, send a connection request with a thank you note”
Dear Mr. Great Speaker,
Thank you for taking the time to speak to our class today, I learned a lot and it made the class more impactful. I’d like to add you to my professional network. Best regards,
Student

This is a great way to follow up if you didn’t get a chance to personally introduce yourself to a speaker. They may have been speaking to many other students after class, or maybe you are shy and are more comfortable reaching out to someone via email. Regardless of your method, just make contact in a timely fashion.

Follow Them
Not as a stalker — but as a fan of their work and insights. Google a new contact and follow them on Twitter, Facebook, and/or their blogs. Follow their company on LinkedIn. This is also a great way to discover “hidden jobs” in the future. Many will mention opportunities at their companies that are not posted publicly.

Comment and Compliment
If you’re following their posts on LinkedIn and tweets on Twitter, it’s easy to comment and begin an online friendship. Everyone likes to feel acknowledged and appreciated, so send a quick simple reply to something insightful they shared.

@MsRockStar Great post, I love the tip about leveraging your student network! Thanks!

Be Memorable
Always have a quick sentence or two to describe yourself that makes people remember you. This is part of your personal pitch. Think about what makes you unique.

For example, “Thank you for a great lecture! My name is Lisa and I’m a 2nd year grad student who has a passion for analytics and anything with Hello Kitty. My goal is to be the best number cruncher in New York and run a marathon before I’m 30.”

This way you’re providing a quick summary of what your education is and adding something fun and quirky about yourself.

It’s always great to have business cards, too. They are still effective. Many universities, such as NYU will provide student business cards for a small fee. They usually read that you’re a candidate for a particular degree and include your email, phone number, web site, Twitter handle, etc.

Network with Everyone
You never know where your next great job lead or opportunity will come from. So establish connections with your professors, your classmates, the guest speakers and anyone else you’re introduced to during your studies.

Start networking today!

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07 Jul

New York City For Students

It is no wonder New York is the city that never sleeps; it is home to America’s largest student population! Nearly 500,000 students are enrolled at the City’s 110 higher education institutions. From Ivy League private universities to Princeton Review-ranked public universities, the Big Apple is rich with academic opportunities. The city’s culture becomes an integral part of a student’s education.

Here’s a quick snapshot of some of the cultural aspects students will experience:

New York Food. With thousands of restaurants, it’s possible to try different cuisine every night of the week. But there are some food items that New Yorkers argue you can only get in New York – Bagels and Pizza!

Popular NYC-Themed Songs. Here are two tunes to put you in a “New York State of Mind.”

  • Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York”. The lyrics “If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere” ring true for many aspiring entrepreneurs. Listen here.
  • Jay-Z and Alicia Key’s “Empire State of Mind”. Watch the video and get inspired.

The Statue of Liberty. A gift to the United States from France, the torch-bearing lady in green lives on Liberty Island. Catch a free view by riding the Staten Island Ferry.

Wall Street. Home to the New York Stock Exchange, located in the Financial District, it is the world’s largest exchange based on market capitalization of its listed companies.

Tech Town. Forget Silicon Valley, New York city is at the heart of a new digital economy and is home to more than 900 tech companies, which translates to more jobs, more opportunity. Read more here. (link to http://wearemadeinny.com/about/

One World Trade Center. The spire recently placed atop One World Trade Center has many claiming it is the tallest building in the Western hemisphere at 1,776 feet. It symbolizes revitalization and hope for all New Yorkers.

Luxury Shopping:

  • Fifth Avenue. Home to Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Gucci, Bulgari, Rolex, Omega, Saks Fifth Avenue, Harry Winston, one can spend hours browsing the luxury windows on this stretch. It’s a very popular destination for Chinese visitors as designer products are half the price in New York as they are in China.
  • Soho. Located downtown, it’s a hipper, younger version of Fifth Avenue with more boutiques lined along cobble-stoned streets.

Broadway Shows. The most extravagant on-stage productions in the West include Tony-award winner The Lion King, Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, Wicked and many more.

Museums. It’s quite extraordinary when you can view a piece of art you read about and studied in class. There’s the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the MOMA, Guggenheim, The Jewish Museum, The Fricke, and dozens more.

Over 28,000 Acres of Parks. While Central Park is the most famous, Washington Square Park, Bryant Park and Riverside Park are equally breathtaking.

Professional Sports Teams.

  • Baseball
    • New York Yankees
    • New York Mets
  • Football
    • New York Giants
    • New York Jets
  • Basketball
    • New York Knicks
    • Brooklyn Nets
  • Hockey
    • New York Rangers

Transportation. New York City’s MTA has the most extensive public transportation system in the world by number of stations. Stations are located throughout the boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. A monthly pass will cost $112, a relative bargain compared to taking taxicabs.

With so much to see and do, IGSS organizes a few cultural excursions as part of the curriculum. “New York, New York!”

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01 Jul

The Importance of Internships

With unemployment at 8% and the U.S. economy in recovery, the job market is very tight, which makes it that much harder for international students to find work after graduation. It’s estimated that 75% of jobs are found through professional connections or personal referrals. So how does one stand out in a pile of resumes? Apply for an internship and make those connections through organizations like IGSS while you’re still in school.

Here are some tips from IGSS on how to get started:

Register With Your University Career Center. Get a calendar of all career events, workshops and resume building tutorials. Meet with a Career Center advisor to help you create your resume template. Take advantage of all seminars offered.

Examine Your Strengths and Skill Set. Are you bilingual or trilingual? Promote these skills prominently in your cover letter. There are many global companies based in the U.S. in desperate need of international students that can properly translate their materials and explain cultural intricacies to their American employees.

Make a List of Target Companies. What industry are you most passionate about? Which companies are most likely to sponsor an H-1B Visa? Ask. Don’t waste your time interning for a great startup that could never provide a job after you graduate. Your time is valuable!

Attend School-Sponsored Job Fairs. Research the companies before you attend (most universities will provide a list prior to the fair). It’s quite impressive when you can share what you admire most about a prospective company. Ask recruiters what services and skills they need most and then tell them how you can help fill that need. Ask about potential employment in the future — and their corporate policy on H-1B Visa support.

Research the Company. Glassdoor.com provides an overview of a company and the latest industry news, along with employee/intern reviews. If they are a public company, check their earnings. When was the last time they had layoffs? Read everything you can find and decide if this is the culture you will be happy in — even if it’s just for a three-month internship.

Follow Your Target Companies on Social Media. Most companies have a social media profile that provides daily updates. Follow them on Twitter and “Like” them on Facebook. Follow them on LinkedIn, too and you will automatically receive job postings in your newsfeed.

Find a Mentor. Have you met someone that has a job you would love to have in the future? Ask them to be your mentor. Invite them to lunch (your treat) and ask the questions you really want to know. Perhaps you can intern at their company.

Ask for Recommendations. From your professors, classmates and internship supervisor. They can write these on your LinkedIn profile or provide them verbally via phone in the future. This will help tremendously in the application process.

Volunteer. In addition to internships, volunteer opportunities provide another way to make more connections, all while doing something positive for the community. New York Cares is a great organization that provides hundreds of volunteer opportunities to choose from in the metro area.

By attending IGSS, you will gain more insight into internship opportunities.

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30 Jun

Class Participation: Speak Your Mind

In American classrooms, students are often encouraged to participate in group discussions and to challenge the viewpoints of both their classmates and professors. Individual insight is highly regarded in American academia and students who are quiet are reluctant to share their opinion may receive a lower participation grade.

Here are some tips from IGSS on how to become a better participant:

Prepare before class. Ask your professor if they can provide their lecture notes a day or two in advance, so you have time to review at your own pace and look up companies/phrases you may not be familiar with.

If you’re curious and want to know more about a particular topic, ask them to recommend additional readings, books and web sites where you can broaden your knowledge. They will appreciate your motivation.

Do not sit in the back of the classroom. Not only is it harder to hear and translate, but also you will be easily distracted by the other students in front of you and around you.

Take notes. Write down words, phrases, companies or cultural events you have not heard before. Remember to look them up after class so you will know in the future. If you do not understand the word the professor is saying, raise your hand, and ask, “Can you please spell the name of that company.”

Ask the professor to speak slower. If you are having trouble following the instructor’s lecture, it’s your right to ask them to slow down. If you feel embarrassed to do this in person, send a quick email after class. Tell them how much you enjoy their lectures, and would appreciate if they could just speak a little slower so you can fully understand.

Befriend American students. Understandably, you will feel most comfortable with other students that speak your native language. But do not miss the opportunity to expand your cultural perspective and make friends with students that are not from your home country. It’s easy — just ask them a question about themselves, or about something they shared in class. Group projects provide a natural path to new friendships.

Connect on American Social Media. Build a profile on popular social media networks including Facebook, Twitter and Google+. These will provide a pulse of what’s popular in American culture and also provide a way to build friendships with other students in the U.S.

If you plan on applying for an internship or job in the U.S., LinkedIn is a vital networking tool that displays your profile, experience and recommendations (from professors, colleagues). It also lists job opportunities, company information and industry news.

Remember, speak your mind; your opinions are appreciated!

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