International Students

Resources for International Students

The Career Center helps international students with all aspects of career development, from career exploration, resume and cover letter writing, to internship and job searching, and more. If you’re planning to search for jobs in the United States, be sure that you understand the requirements for students on F-1 and J-1 visas. Visit the Tufts International Student Center for more information, as changes to these guidelines can occur.

Check out Interstride, a tool to enhance the career exploration and job search experience for international students. Along with job listings, real-time hiring trends, employer information, and tailored assessment tests, the portal offers guidance on overcoming cultural differences, becoming a better networker, and making the most out of the international experience. Alumni: When asked for “university email” on the log in page, please use an active email address (personal or work).  You will be asked to provide information which will be forwarded to the Tufts Career Center for approval.

The Herd is our flash mentoring platform for student-alumni career conversations. In addition to talking with alumni whose career paths interest you, we encourage you to join our new affinity groups on The Herd, which encourage productive interaction and networking through professional and social engagement, provide opportunities such as jobs, internships, volunteer roles, and events, and support the community’s professional and career development through advocacy.

Join the Global Jumbos Network


Support for Your Career Development

Quick Tips for Applications

  • Prepare your personal marketing materials

    Review Resume and Cover Letter information for formatting and content guidance specific to U.S. employers. For the resume, you may notice some differences between your country of origin and U.S. standards. For instance:

    • U.S. employers prefer single-page resumes (and cover letters) vs. multi-page documents
    • In the U.S., resumes do not include personal photo or mention of age, gender, marital status or home country
    • U.S. resumes provide little or no information about high school, especially for junior/senior resumes
    • In the U.S., the term “CV” refers to a longer document used by researchers and academics
  • Be aware of what U.S. employers may not know
    For example, a U.S. employer may not know that a certain company is the top biotech firm in India or that your school was one of the top five universities in Japan. Be sure to provide this context in your resume.
  • Know when to address your visa status

    Talk to a career advisor if you have questions about how or when to address your visa status with employers.

    Here are a few tips:

    • Don’t mention your status in a resume or cover letter unless you are asked to specify.
    • When an interviewer asks if you’re eligible to work in the U.S., you should answer that you can work in the U.S. on Optional Practical Training (OPT) for the duration of your OPT, after which point you would need to be sponsored.
    • Do not wait until the second or third interview to discuss sponsorship.
  • Take advantage of networking resources
    Networking is important. In particular, talk to other international students and international alumni to see how they handled the job search process.

Quick Tips for Interviewing

  • Prepare and practice
    Review our interviewing information and practice answers to sample questions out loud, in the mirror, with friends or family and with a career advisor.
  • Enhance your communication skills
    • Talk in class; give presentations
    • Join conversation groups; participate in clubs
    • Take communication and public speaking classes
    • Watch American TV, listen to the radio, read newspapers and academic publications
  • Understand and prepare for cultural differences

    Interviewing standards and expectations are different in the U.S. than in other countries.

    U.S. employers:

    • Expect that the interview is your chance to sell yourself as you answer their questions.
    • Value candidates who can express how they made a difference through their accomplishments or by overcoming obstacles.
    • May start with direct questions. Some small talk might be appropriate, but not for very long. Be ready to get down to business pretty quickly.
    • Expect that you will research the organization and demonstrate that knowledge during the interview.
  • Know which questions are illegal for U.S. employers to ask
    • How old are you?
    • Are you married?
    • Are you a US citizen?
    • How many children do you have?
    • What is your religion?
    • Where were you born?

    *If these questions do come up, we encourage you to see a Career Advisor for help.

Sidebar

Where Do Tufts Students Intern? The Political Science Major Edition

It’s tempting to make assumptions about the type of internship, volunteering, or other work experience you’re supposed to pursue with a particular major.

The truth? A Political Science major — or any Tufts major for that matter — doesn’t limit …

By Kelly Roberts
Kelly Roberts Assistant Director
Read more

Internship Spotlight: Dekel Lab, MGH Department of Psychiatry

Current student Rose Herman shared the following about being an intern at Dekel Lab, MGH Department of Psychiatry…

How did you find this internship?
I cold emailed the PI after browsing the MGH website looking for a lab I might …

By Sheryl Rosenberg
Sheryl Rosenberg Associate Director
Read more

UNDERGRADUATE ENVIRONMENTAL PHOTO CONTEST

  The Tufts Environmental Studies Program invites submissions to its 13th annual Environmental Photo Contest.
The contest is open to all Tufts undergraduate students.

Prizes:
First Prize: $150
Second Prize $100
Third Price $50

Ten photos will be selected among all …

By Malakia Silcott
Malakia Silcott Associate Director
Read more

Internship Spotlight: On the Level

Current student Sophia Truex shared the following about being an intern at On the Level…

How did you find this internship?
When I was searching for internships, the first place I checked each week was the Environmental Studies newsletter (ENVS …

By Sheryl Rosenberg
Sheryl Rosenberg Associate Director
Read more

Internship Spotlight: Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (MassHealth)

Current student Emilia Nathan shared the following about being an intern at Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (MassHealth)…

How did you find this internship?
I found my internship through Handshake during a Tufts Virtual Career Fair!

What …

By Sheryl Rosenberg
Sheryl Rosenberg Associate Director
Read more

Welcome to “3 Questions with …”, a recurring feature on the Career Center blog. We’re asking alumni of all graduation years and career interests to share a bit of their experiences and advice. 

Lisa Zingman, A’12, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

1. In just a few sentences, please tell us about your current job/graduate program/vocational endeavor.

I am a Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Human Services, Administration for Children …

By Malakia Silcott
Malakia Silcott Associate Director
Read more

Internship Spotlight: Available Potential Enterprises (A.P.E)

Current student Pearl Shread shared the following about being an intern at Available Potential Enterprises (A.P.E)…

How did you find this internship?
My internship was with a art gallery within my hometown, so I had known about its existence for …

By Sheryl Rosenberg
Sheryl Rosenberg Associate Director
Read more

Featured Resources

Education, Nonprofit & Social Impact Resume Guide

Every industry and sector has it’s own nuances, lingo, and values. How can you best position yourself for opportunities in …

Career Center Summer Internship Grant Program

Internships. An opportunity to gain exposure, explore and try ideas for your future, apply theory from the classroom out in …

Where Do Tufts Students Intern?

It’s tempting to make assumptions about the type of internship, volunteering, or other work experience you’re supposed to pursue with a particular …

Too Good to Be True? Be on the Lookout for Fraudulent Employers

It’s easy to say, “I would never be tricked by a scam employment offer!” But every year, students at universities …

Tufts Career Center Professional Development Fund for Undergraduate Students