With the fall 2014 semester coming to a close and fall graduation quickly approaching, the newest soon-to-be Auburn University alumni are preparing to make significant transitions in their lives.
Instead of worrying about how much money they have left on their Tigercard or if they should be skipping their 8 a.m. on a rainy Monday morning, graduating students will now be debating where they will be living after landing that new job or if they should continue on a path of furthering their schooling in some form of higher education.
When looking for a job, a college graduate might think that the most important thing they could do is to plan ahead. For international students at Auburn, pressing issues of what to do regarding staying in the country to pursue a career or returning to their home countries.
The International Student Organization and the Office of International Programs provide resources and general information on what do to after graduating and inform students on their opportunities after graduation.
"Being able to engage and get to know students from all over the world during their duration at Auburn University is my favorite thing about working with international students," said Jennifer Jackson, Office of International Programs advisor. "It's a pleasure to help and support them during their studies here."
With approximately 1,000 international students on Auburn's campus, according to the Office of International Programs, students from more than 100 different countries will have to make decisions on their plans after graduating in the Auburn Arena on December 13.
"Dealing with domestic restriction that their peers do not face," said Jackson in regards to upcoming obstacles for international students after graduation.
According to the Office of International Programs, countries such as Australia, China, India, Japan, South America and more have a large representation on campus.
"There is a large representation of diverse people here," Tapas Acharjee, President of International Student Organization and Ph.D. student in chemical Engineering said.
According to the Office of International Programs, international students with an F-1 visa have the opportunity to look for jobs through Optional Practical Training. This federal program allows recent graduates possibilities of finding a job and working in the country for an additional year. After the OPT ends, foreign students then have to apply for work visas if they want to stay in the United States.
"After I leave Auburn I want to stay somewhere close," said Narendra Sadhwani, Vice President of International Student Organization and Ph. D student in chemical engineering. "Something like Alabama Power. I want to stay involved with what I studied after I graduate."
With an extension on a H-1b non-immigrant visa sponsored by an employer, according to the Office of International Programs, an immigrant will then have the opportunity to remain and work for up to three more years.
With limited jobs and visas available, sometimes figuring out the next move can be more complicated and stressful.
"The job market is very volatile right now," said Sadhwani. "That's really overwhelming."
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