International students and post-grad employment in the US

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zesty: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 6; Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2012 7:59 pm

by zesty » Mon Jul 22, 2013 2:52 pm

Hi everyone,

I'm currently applying for a few US schools (Duke, UCLA, Cornell) and having spoken to a few alumni from one of these schools this far, I've learned that it's difficult for non-US (international) students to get jobs within areas outside of the 'traditional' consulting or finance roles. Whereas for example, if I'm interested in marketing/brand management, as a Canadian applicant looking for work in the US (and as a career switcher from finance), it appears that it's much more difficult to land positions within these areas because US companies prefer hiring students with American citizenship.

Is this true? Will I be at a huge disadvantage, even if I were to go to a Top 15 US program, at finding employment within a non-consulting or non-finance role in the US (i.e. marketing, brand/product management, etc.) given that I'm from outside of the US (Canadian)? Would I just be better off going to a Canadian school, making the career switch into marketing within Canada, and then after a few years try to find employment within the US?

Thanks very much for any insights.

Source: Beat The GMAT — Research MBA Programs | Mon Jul 22, 2013 2:52 pm

GMAT/MBA Expert

CriticalSquareMBA: Legendary Member; Posts: 1088; Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2013 3:29 pmFollowed by: 52 members; Thanked: 171 times

by CriticalSquareMBA » Mon Jul 22, 2013 5:53 pm

Hey there,

The annoying answer to your question is "it depends". Any time you ask a corporation to sponsor you, you're at a disadvantage. Effectively, they have to answer a question that goes something like this: "why are you hiring this international student if there are these other similar domestic candidates available?" The govt asks that. So a good response to that includes a compelling reason why you're worth more than the others.

So you can either be the most amazing thing since sliced bread, or you can network your way into these positions. Or both! So the reason I said it depends is because as you go through the job search process during your MBA program, you'll have dozens of opportunities to network through school functions, career events, and extracurriculars.

You're not at a HUGE disadvantage. That's definitely an overstatement. Are some cards stacked against you? Yes, that's the honest truth but they're nothing you can't overcome with a little strategy!

Don't try to go for an MBA in Canada - if you ever want to come do that state side, a top ranked US school really is your best bet.

Hope that helps!

Bhavik

Critical Square | MBA Admissions Services

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