We may all agree that transitions aren't always fun or graceful parts of our lives! Mostly because we can never be certain what the outcome will be. For example, transitioning from one level of education to another level. There are clear goals to achieve such as rank, high scores, or waiting for an acceptance to the desired program. One of the most complex and difficult decisions is the decision of what job you will take after graduating.

Let’s talk about the reality of many students who are currently in graduate, undergraduate, or other specialized programs. The program is the main reason they're able to obtain a visa and stay here in the United States. Adding to that anxiety are other factors like a financial struggle, scholarship/funding issues, a slow job market, a global pandemic, etc.

As soon as you graduate and leave that environment it becomes a whole new ball game. Yes, a game! The scale of graduates compared to the available jobs in the job market are unbalanced. The US, however, has proven to uphold the demand for highly skilled jobs in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Against all deterrents since the last great depression, immigration policies haven’t provided a clear path for international students to attain US jobs. In most cases, almost all students who are applying for a US student visa must prove that they are not planning to stay here after their program completion. Students must give plausible arguments that they are only interested in pursuing their program, and upon completion will return home. Although the program gives one to three years of practical training opportunities and provides work authorization to do so, most employers are not willing to hire these students by providing sponsorships. I can’t begin to explain the stressors that thousands of students are facing on this already complex path, not to consider they are mostly doing it here alone.

Here are a few tips and resources that might help you while you are transitioning out of school to find work:

1. Build Value: I can’t stress this enough! Try to build value by learning or creating something. Valuing time, conversations with people, relationships, that degree program, or your dream. Don’t just do it for the sake of doing it but be invested in it. That will truly serve you well.

2. Build a Network: Make connections with those professors and advisors. And make connections with people you meet who have been in your shoes before. Build them by staying in touch. This is never going to end for the rest of your career. I have met several company directors and mentors who said they would rather hire who they know has the right mindset and character and are willing to help them grow in the area of skill. I used to think referrals and recommendations were bad things that steal away opportunities from more technically skilled people, nut I was wrong. The skill of having a way with people and networking is at times the most important thing!

3. Portfolio-focused: For people who are new to the industry, they have resumes with their accomplishments, skill set matrix, and projects they worked on. I truly believe, at least for the new hire, the employer is looking for that “jack of all trades” who can wear multiple hats suited to the type of challenge. Build skill sets and work on diverse projects.

4. Find an experienced career advisor: Universities provide some good advisors, but they have a lot on their plate and can't give you as much time as you may need. So I suggest looking outside the university. You’ll need someone experienced in your field, and I think the internet is the perfect place to find them. Here are some of the people I have been following via social media.

Gaurav Ashisha

Jerry Lee

Lastly, hearty Congratulations to all the students who graduated recently, and welcome to the new students. We are proud of you! Your future generations will thank you for making decisions and accomplishing things without the pressure breaking you.

SAI CHAND UPPUTURI • INDIA

Sai move to Memphis from India in 2015 to pursue his Master’s degree in Computer Science at University of Memphis. He quickly gravitated toward the cultural uniqueness and history of Memphis. This led him to stay in the city and actively build relationships in local community. Sai currently works in Information Technology for a manufacturing company. He has a plethora of interests with his active lifestyle. He loves CrossFit, powerlifting, rowing marathons, hiking, rucking, backpacking, cooking, and riding motorcyles. He says that V.I.S.A. is and will always be an incredible part of his life. That it has provided an opportunity to meet new kinds of people and help nurture his interest in being a global citizen.