Groups

International Students Discussion Group

The focus of the group is to provide international students with an opportunity to discuss their culture, adjustment to college at MU, and academic issues in a safe and supportive environment. Topics of interest in the past have included homesickness, making friends with Americans, build up your own social network, culture shock, adjusting to Columbia, adjusting to US classroom culture, and working with your advisor. And it will be also a good opportunity to make connection with other international students and practice your English The group will have about 8-12 people, and run for the duration of semester (about 8-10 sessions). Meetings will be held weekly and will last about 90 minutes.

Job Search Connection Group

The Job Search Connections (JSC) is an elite group of international students who are between 6 to 8 months away from graduation. This group will allow students to both network with their peers and learn from the group facilitators about the job search process. ISCS often provide the group in winter semesters. For more information please contact us at iscareer@missouri.edu.

The Job Search Connections (JSC) aims to provide both informative and emotional support to international students who are looking for a job in the U.S. More specifically, the purpose of JSC is:

• To assist international group members in obtaining a job in the U.S.by providing a structured group setting for job search-related information/skills and practice.
• To assist each group member in developing his/her own timeline and short term goals in obtaining a job in the U.S. within the legal status of his/her stay.
• To create a supportive and comfortable environment where international group members can gain and give support to one another, and share their success and perceived barriers in obtaining a job in the U.S.

However, the responsibility of finding a job lies within the individual group member. It should be noted that this group does not guarantee that members find a job by participating in the group.

Group structure

JSC will meet weekly for 8 or 9 weeks in the semester. The first portion of the meeting is for topical presentation; the second is for practice and discussion, and the rest is for personal updates. JSC is a small closed group, which means that we can only accommodate 8-10 group members.  We do not admit new members to the group once it starts. Because of the limited size, it requires some level of time commitment to be selected as a participant in this program.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the group you must be:

• International graduate student who is interested in finding a job in the U.S.
• Planning to graduate in 2010, with priority to graduates in May and August 2010.

Proposed tentative group topics

1. Introduction, developing personalized job search plan/timetable
2. Knowing yourself and Self-Marketing
3. Where to find job openings and How to prepare for a job fair?
4. Resume writing/Curriculum vita
5. Cover Letter and Business Correspondence
6. Interview skills
7. H1B Visa Issues and OPT
8. Job offer negotiation
9. Your first year on the job

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MU Career Center, 201 Student Success Center, 909 Lowry Mall, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211-6060
Phone: (573) 882-6801 | Fax: (573) 882-5440 | Email: career@missouri.edu