ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR ATTAINING CAREER DEVELOPMENT FOR F1 OPT STUDENTS IN THE U.S.

INTRODUCTION

Every career person has an eventual goal of getting to greater heights in their career. International students in the U.S have the OPT program as a stepping stone on which they are able to jumpstart their career. It is essential for international students joining the workforce to gain full comprehension on how best they can progress from entry opt job level roles to mid-level and eventually senior roles.

This article gives informational assistance on how best you can navigate the process of career development. It highlights the benefits as well as challenges faced when pursing career development. It further gives a step wise guideline on how best to go about such a significant aspect of your career.

UNDERSTANDING CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND ITS RELEVANCE FOR OPT STUDENTS

What is career development?

Career development is the continuous process of actively pursuing progression of your skillsets, work experience as well as industry knowledge. This a proactive process that produces long term results and a more meaningful and fulfilled career.

Benefits of Career Development for F1 OPT students.

• Personal growth: Working to improve your career will eventually lead to personal growth. This is because you will practice positive habits like discipline and consistency.

• Financial stability: As you work towards career advancement by improving your skillset and undergoing relevant training, you become more desirable to employers. This directly increases your earning potential.

• Job security: As an international student in the U.S growing and developing your career would make you a valuable employee. This may lead to your employer offering you roles that are more stable and long-term.

• Career satisfaction: Progressing in your career plays a vital role in your confidence levels, the amount of satisfaction and fulfillment you gain from your opt job.

EFFECTIVE TIPS TO ATTAINING CAREER DEVELOPMENT

• Understand OPT regulations: When setting long-term career goals, it is essential to take into consideration all immigration regulations that directly affect international students in the U.S. Any legal implications pertaining to work authorization and residency must be carefully evaluated.

• Improve communication skills: Good communication is a greatly desired soft skill among hiring managers. As you set out to pursue career growth, working on improving one of the most desirable soft skills will set you apart from your peers.

• Invest in continuous learning: Enrolling in training and certificate courses is a great initiative to grow your career. This will directly open you to new roles and opportunities as a result of the newly acquired skills and knowledge.

• Practice intentionality and take initiative: Growth on its own does not happen in dormancy, this means for any development to happen you need to be intentional about meeting your career goals and actively identifying any skill gaps.

• Networking: For international students in the U.S circling back to the career development team at your school is always a good way to start networking. Look into any career fairs being organized in order to meet employers that may have roles that align with your values, passions and interests.

CLEAR GUIDELINES FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT

1. Self-evaluation

The first step on the roadmap to career development is carrying out thorough self-assessment. This will often involve clearly understanding your weak areas as well as areas of strength. Establishing your passions, interests and skills you are able to pick up easily and those that require an extra stretch of time will give you an added advantage as you take on new roles.

2. Establish targets

This step will require you to set clear goals, for instance as an international student in the U.S gaining H-1B sponsorship from your OPT job would be something to aim for. Therefore, setting goals that will convey skill development will help you communicate your relevance.

3. Set a plan of action

This step involves laying out a plan of action by breaking down your goals and targets to small achievable tasks and projects. As the success of these small tasks accumulates, you would have reached your greater targets.

4. Execute

This is the most important step in the process as it requires you to actively implement all that you have planned. Your ease of execution will depend on how efficient your plan of action was.

5. Fine-tuning

Fine-tuning is an equally significant part of the process. It requires consistently refining the process to make even more detailed changes. This will include continuous assessment and staying knowledgeable on all the changes within the industry. As an F1 OPT student this could look like you staying updated on immigration changes

DIFFICULTIES FACED WHEN PURSUING CAREER DEVELOPMENT FOR OPT STUDENTS

• Overcoming self-doubt: Pursuing career development is agreeably a daunting undertaking. More often than anyone likes to admit, the biggest hinderance can be yourself.

• Minimal opportunities: The U.S job market is highly competitive and leaves very little room for foreign employees. In such onerous conditions, pursuing career development becomes a great challenge.

• Difficulties in identifying career goals: The industry dynamics in today’s job space have become greatly complex. Narrowing down your goals can be quite challenging if you are not well informed.

• Work-life balance: Corporations do not always offer compensation or give room for any time away from work. This makes it challenging to actively pursue anything outside the scope of work you may already have.

• Lack of corporate support: Unfortunately, not all employers willingly sponsor international students for H-1B after OPT jobs. This poses as a great challenge for them as it hinders any hopes holding long-term positions. In addition, some corporations do not have any training programs that promote career advancement.

CONCLUSION

In summary, as an international student in the U.S you should look to pursue career development right from the start of your careers. Moving from OPT jobs to more permanent roles requires that you have a set plan of action for your career growth and development.

While taking on this endeavor it is vital to understand both the challenges and benefits that come with the process. More importantly, knowing that any type of development is lengthy and requires patience.