Prospective Students – Frequently Asked Questions
- As an international student, am I eligible for full-time jobs in the United States?
- Where can I find information on the employment rates and starting salaries for MPA students?
- I don’t have much work experience. How will that impact my job search as an MPA student?
- I have extensive work experience. How will that impact my job search as an MPA student?
- What types of employers recruit MPA students?
- What is the recruiting timeline like for traditional MPA students?
- What career resources are available to MPA students?
- Do MPA students have the option of recruiting for international positions?
- As a new student, when will I have access to the MPA career resources online?
Q: As an international student,
am I eligible for full-time jobs in the United States?
A: Under U.S. law, employers may only hire individuals
with appropriate work authorization. International students can obtain
appropriate work authorization for fulltime employment by being sponsored
by an employer for an H-1B visa. However, employers are not obligated
to sponsor an individual for any type of work authorization, and the
number of H-1B visas allotted each year is limited. Students should
understand that an employer has the right to refuse to interview or
to terminate an interview if a student does not have work authorization.
There are also education related employment options for students pursuing
an internship. It is important to know that, due to the work authorization
requirements, international students often face additional challenges
in the recruiting process. To be a competitive candidate one must
be flexible, have excellent communication skills, create a tailored
resume, and be proactive in the job search. MPA Career Services
offers individual career advising, print and online career resources
and several career and professional development events throughout the
year to help MPA students through the process. The
MPA International Connection program offers additional support through
monthly meetings and MIC Volunteers, current international MPA students
who have already experienced the recruiting process.
Since immigration laws are constantly changing, it is important to regularly
check the International
Office website for updates. In addition, the International
Office’s
Virtual
Immigration Library is a good resource for more detailed questions
about visas and work authorizations.
Q: Where can I find information on
the employment rates and starting salaries for MPA students?
A: Click
here to view MPA employment statistics.
Q: I don’t have much work experience.
How will that impact my job search as an MPA student?
A: Most employers recognize that MPA job candidates
may have little or no work experience. Students with limited to
no work experience typically do not have problems entering the profession
in entry level positions.
Q: I have extensive work experience.
How will that impact my job search as an MPA student?
A: Work experience is typically viewed by employers
as a candidate-strength. However, unless your previous experience
was closely related to the job you will be targeting as an MPA student,
you will likely start in an entry level position.
Since on-campus recruiting often targets candidates with limited or
no related work experience, you will need to maximize networking opportunities
and other resources if you have significant related work experience.
Q: What types of employers recruit
MPA students?
A: Texas MPA students are marketable to organizations
in a variety of settings including public accounting, investment banking,
finance, consulting, industry, not-for-profit, and governmental agencies.
Click
here for a list of organizations that have recently recruited Texas
MPAs.
Q: What is the recruiting timeline
like for traditional MPA students?
A: Although the timing of recruiting can vary
depending on the type of companies targeted, the heaviest recruiting
period for traditional MPA students seeking internships and/or full-time
employment is during the first fall semester in the program. A
typical timeline is included below:
- MPA Career Fair (August)
- Applications and campus interviews (September – October)
- Social recruiting events and office visits (mid-October - November)
- Offers (December)
Q: What career resources are available to MPA students?
A: MPA Career Services offers individual career advising, online job boards specific to the McCombs School of Business, career workshops and alumni panels, print and online career research tools, and more! Once a student is accepted into the MPA program, s/he will meet with an MPA career advisor to discuss the specifics of how to utilize these extensive resources.
Q: Do MPA students have the option of recruiting for international positions?
A: According to our 2006 employment data, only 4% of MPA students reported accepting international employment. Although many of the companies that recruit with us do have offices abroad, on-campus interviews are geared toward US hiring. Students who choose to work internationally usually network heavily and utilize less traditional recruiting methods.
Q: As a new student, when will I have access to the MPA career resources online?
A: When you submit your McCombs School of Business Enrollment Deposit, your account will be activated and you will have full access to the On-Campus Recruiting system, Offer Track, and the MPA Career Services secure website (after May 19). You will also have partial access to McCombs Online Resources (MOR) which includes only your personal profile. Once the Registrar’s Office shows that you are currently enrolled, you will have full access to MOR, including the ability to search the McCombs Job Board and the Alumni/Student Directory.
If you meet the criteria noted above and still are unable to access the systems, please contact Michelle Polkinghorn.
