Speaker: Rachel Zhang, Career Coordinator for International Students, University of Michigan
What do you find most rewarding about the work you do?
Rachel Zhang: What I find most rewarding about my work is just seeing international students gain confidence and clarity as they navigate their career journey in the US as well as globally, because there's just a lot of layers when it comes to a job search in the US and globally. There's that complexity of navigating different work visas and work authorizations. There's different cultures to consider or just figuring out how to communicate their strengths to different employers. Being able to demystify that process and offering both practical guidance and encouragement is incredibly fulfilling. I especially love when the students come back to us and share their wins. Whether it's landing a really great full time opportunity or working with a really great professor here on campus, or just feeling more empowered to advocate for themselves. Those are the moments I really enjoy as a professional.
Professionally speaking, what do you consider to be your most significant achievement so far? Where do you believe you’ve made a difference?
Rachel Zhang: One of my most significant professional achievements has been launching and expanding the International Student career series. Those are programming specifically tailored to the unique career needs of our international students. One standout program within the series focuses on how to talk about your immigration status with employers. This initiative represents a meaningful partnership between the university career center and the International Center. By collaborating with the international student and scholar advisor, we were able to bridge the gap of knowledge between immigration advising and career development, creating a more comprehensive and supportive experience for our students who are navigating complex employment landscapes. It makes a difference because this program equips students with the knowledge and the language that they need to advocate for themselves and pursue different opportunities.
