Manage CareerEdge Alerts For international students navigating the U.S. job market, the path can be challenging yet rewarding. I recently connected with Isabella Ampié, a former Bentley University student who graduated in May 2024 with a degree in Marketing. Originally from Nicaragua, Isabella shared her journey from being a student to landing a role as a Global Benefits Consultant for Alta Actuaries, highlighting the challenges and strategies that helped her succeed.
What is Your Current Position, and What Does Your Role Entail?
“As a Global Benefits Consultant, my role involves advising companies on structuring competitive and compliant employee benefits for their global workforce. For example, I guide businesses in managing healthcare, retirement plans, and other benefits in countries like the U.S., Mexico, China, and Ireland. My work requires networking with clients and firms worldwide, ensuring employee rewards align with local laws and attract top talent. While my role involves virtual collaboration through Zoom, there is also an opportunity for in-person client meetings and international travel, and I’m really excited for that! Funnily enough, it is not necessarily a marketing-related job as it is a consulting one, but there are tons of similarities between my position and a marketing role that I feel helped me get this job.”
Can You Share Your Journey from Being a Student to Landing Your Current Job?
“My journey was anything but linear. During my final semester at Bentley, I put all my energy into job applications. I went through an endless cycle of applying, interviewing, and facing rejections. I practically spent nearly five months searching before landing my current role. It was a tough market, especially for international students, but persistence paid off.”
How Did You Approach Your Job Search as an International Student?
“I focused on identifying companies open to hiring international employees. Researching industries where my skills would stand out was crucial, as was tailoring my applications to highlight how I could bring unique value to their teams.”
Did You Find Networking Events or Bentley Career Fairs Helpful?
“They’re very helpful! I attended career fairs and connected with alumni in similar fields. These interactions provided invaluable insights into the hiring process and helped me identify potential opportunities. I have also attended several Bentley networking events like alumni panels. Still, I would also recommend actively looking for networking opportunities both online and within the Waltham/Boston area. You don’t want to put all your eggs in one basket, anyway.”
What Role Did LinkedIn or Other Online Platforms Play in Your Job Search?
“LinkedIn was very helpful. I used it to research companies, reach out to employees for informational interviews, and apply for roles. Building a strong LinkedIn profile to highlight what I can bring to any company helped me stand out.”
How Did You Prepare for Job Interviews, and Were There Any Unique Challenges as an International Student?
“For the most part, I practiced answering behavioral and technical questions using tools like Bentley’s Big Interview platform. Preparation is extremely important. As an international student, it’s encouraged to disclose your visa status early on during interviews or your original application so companies are able to take the necessary legal paperwork early on and not cause any discrepancies that can jeopardize your status. This added an extra layer of complexity, but being transparent and informed made a difference.”
Did Bentley University’s Career Center Play a Role in Your Job Search? How?
“Bentley’s Career Development Center was incredibly supportive. They provided resources like Big Interview and Handshake, helped refine my resume, and offered guidance on navigating the job market as an international student. Their workshops and one-on-one sessions were very insightful and a resource I would recommend taking advantage of.”
What Advice Would You Give to Other International Students Hoping to Work in the U.S.?
“Knowing each international student is different, I understand what worked for me at the time won’t work for everyone. But in general, I would focus on a few things:
- Start Early: Begin your job search well before graduation and stay consistent in applying. The summer between your junior and senior year or fall semester of your senior year is my recommendation for when to start looking, but honestly, the earlier the better.
- Leverage Resources: Use your university’s career center, LinkedIn, and platforms like Big Interview to prepare. As an international student, it is crucial to stand out as an applicant. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. That’s what resources are there for!
- Network Relentlessly: Attend career fairs, reach out to alumni, and connect with industry professionals. Webinars and other online conferences can also work to your advantage. Put yourself out there! You already do so by being international anyway.
- Be Persistent: Rejections only get you closer to where you’re meant to be. Though discouraging, it’s an inevitable part of the job search. Stay resilient and keep learning from each experience.
- Highlight Your Unique Skills: As an international student, emphasize how your background and adaptability can bring value to the workplace. It is often so underappreciated how many of us travel hundreds and thousands of miles around the world, are multilingual, away from family and friends, and yet we adapt so seamlessly while balancing classes, internships, and jobs. Give yourself flowers!
However, if you find yourself back in your home country or restarting in a country outside the U.S., continue to congratulate yourself! Your Bentley degree is a phenomenal accomplishment on its own and it will help you professionally in ways you probably won’t even notice. So, make the most of it!”
