Faculty and staff: Are you looking for student employees who can regularly work four to five hours a day? Do you need culturally agile students who can work independently, handle confidential and sensitive documents, and can speak more than one language? An international graduate student may be good a candidate.
Veronica Ho, graduate student from Hong Kong who works at the Center for Global and Local Engagement
These students already possess college degrees and some have years of professional experience. While studying in the United States, however, they are restricted by U.S. immigration laws with respect to employment opportunities. Many are able to accept only on-campus jobs. And, because most take classes during the evening, they have excellent availability during the day.
Dr. Karen Lange, vice president of student affairs, praised the international graduate students she has had in her office.
“The students I have had bring a level of maturity and expertise to their work,” Lange said. “I have had several students in the School of Engineer’s Graduate Programs in Software who have been able to work on the websites for the Division of Student Affairs. Along with the expertise they have brought to their work they tend to have more hours available during the day and have been reliable and consistent. In addition, it has been both educational and fun for me to learn more about their home country and families.”
Many graduate international students added that having on-campus job helped them connect to the St. Thomas community while gaining real-world experience.
“Being in the Center for Global and Local Engagement since my first year here at St. Thomas has helped me to adjust to this new environment and feel welcome,” said Veronica Ho, a graduate student from Hong Kong.
