Editor’s note: This is the second of a three-part series on how to make the most out of the services UTEP has to offer whilst being an international student.
There is nothing more intimidating than the quest of job hunting. Building yourself up to go out in the field often leads to stress if you feel unprepared, especially if you are an international student. Luckily, there is an effortless way to find your first job or internship at UTEP.
Job Mine is the platform to find everything job-related on and off-campus. It is easy to use and is free of charge. All you need to do is log-in to your My UTEP account, set up your profile, and attach your résumé to start searching for all the opportunities available to you.
“That is how I got my first on-campus job,” said UTEP physical therapy student Sofia Hinojosa.
Hinojosa, being an international student herself, found her first part-time job at UTEP with the help of Job Mine. Job Mine allowed her to connect with an employer in her field of study that was looking for an undergraduate student just like her.
Having successfully found an employment opportunity, I asked Hinojosa what tips she can share with other international students struggling to find a job.
First, find Job Mine.
“The first thing we need to know is where exactly Job Mine is,” Hinojosa said. “Few students know how to access it and how to use it.”
An easy fix is to google “Job Mine UTEP.” However, students can also find the app icon of Job Mine in their My UTEP dashboard. Simply log-in at My UTEP, click “go to dashboard,” and search for Job Mine in the list of apps available in the menu.
Second, have your résumé ready.
You may navigate the platform without it, but to apply to employment posts on Job Mine, you will need to have your résumé up to date. If you need help getting started or simply having your résumé revised, you may visit the Career Center.
And you are ready to go.
“Once you have your account set up, it is time for the hunt,” Hinojosa said. “Job Mine has an extensive list of postings, for all college disciplines and years. So, you may want to use the filter option available.”
Job Mine allows you to filter postings by hours (full-time or part-time), types (student employment, work-study positions or internships), year (from freshmen to seniors), and discipline (using specific keywords).
“International students also have the option to filter all the postings that are available for them,” Hinojosa explained. “That way we do not have to worry about applying for the wrong position.
After that, it is time to wait.
Once you apply, the wait-time game begins. You may hear from employers right away or years later. I got hired to be a photographer for this newspaper one year after I applied. Hopefully, you will not wait as long as I did.
As for international students, we have an extra step if we manage to land a job. First, HR will reach out to you after you have spoken with your employer and received an offer letter. You will then need to send in your legal documents, make sure it is a reliable source and not a fraud. Once the process is completed, reach out to the Office of International Programs, if they have not done so already, so that they can help you arrange a meeting at the Social Security office.
“A Social Security number will be needed to work on-campus,” Hinojosa explained. “But it is important to speak with HR and your employer before applying because you will need an offer letter, confirming that you are allowed to work at UTEP.”
If you have any questions regarding this process, make sure to reach out to the Office of International Programs. Also, make sure to read part three of the series to learn more about job opportunities off-campus.
Hugo Hinojosa may be reached at [email protected]
