Career preparation begins on day one when students enroll at a North American partner university. Through activities and programming in our International Study Centers (ISCs) and with university departments, students have access to the tools and resources they need that will help them build successful careers. Here are several examples of how your students will be prepare for their careers while studying in North America.
Students join workshops and classes, and staff members hold one-to-one advising sessions and group events to help them build good habits for their future careers. At the James Madison University International Study Center, students can attend fortnightly sessions to talk about building good habits, learning a useful skill, and practicing that skill. These sessions, led by the Student Success Manger, have covered time management skills, making an email signature, and other skills that are valuable for university studies and beyond.
Pathways to Success is another program that helps ISC students prepare for their futures. Our students create resumes, participate in mock interviews, and build professional skills, like email etiquette, and they develop leadership skills. With Pathways to Success, students take on roles within groups to complete projects, and they learn how to develop and deliver an elevator pitch.
When students are nearing completion of their program at the JMU ISC, they participate in semi-formal portfolio presentations about their ISC experiences. Not only is this an opportunity for students to share their ISC journey with fellow students, ISC faculty and staff, and JMU faculty, staff, and administration, but it is also a chance to practice their presentation skills.
Our ISC staff provide engagement opportunities and connections for students, helping them to grow beyond their academic studies. For example, students enrolled at the University of Hartford International Pathway Program (IPP) are participating in project with students enrolled in the university’s Master of Education program. They meet on Zoom and talk about early childhood education in their home country. This gives IPP students a chance to practice their English and meet other University of Hartford students.
At DePaul University, Global Gateway Program students participate in the university’s Global Coffee Hour. This program is hosted by Global Engagement at DePaul and includes sessions about making friends, practicing interview skills, developing LinkedIn profiles, and networking. Global Coffee Hour is popular amongst GGP students, as they talk in small groups and get to know other international students at DePaul.
These are only several examples of how students prepare for their futures when they enroll at a North American partner university. Are your students ready to do the same?
Our Fall 2021 deadlines are quickly approaching. Click here for a complete list of upcoming dates for all North American partners.
