The NCDA International Student Services Committee (ISSC) invites you to attend its 2023 virtual mini-conference on August 4, 2023 from 10:00 am to 4:00pm CST with the theme "The Future of Work: Navigating Global Opportunities and Mobility for International Students". This conference is open to all NCDA members! Members must register to attend this virtual mini-conference.
To register for the mini-conference, please visit: tinyurl.com/NCDAISSC2023
Mini-Conference Agenda:
10:00-10:15 am - Opening Remarks by the ISSC Virtual Mini-Conference Coordinator - Dr. Pankaj Desai
10:15-11:00 am - Strategies to Actively Support the International Students’ Job Search - ACPA Commission for Global Dimensions of Student Development Directorate Board Panel
11:00-11:15 am – ISSC Membership Chat Opening Remarks - ISSC Co-Chairs - Ivette Mekdessi & Kelly Woods
11:15-12:00 pm - Global at Home: Public/Private/Academic Collaborations to Support International Students - Alejandra Bejarano & Kristian Braekkan
12:00-1:00 pm BREAK
1:00-1:45 pm - Social Media Training for Career Education Professionals - Hannah Morgan, Career Sherpa
2:00-2:45 pm - Advanced work authorization/visa/immigration & critical updates - Attorney Aaron Blumberg
3:00-3:45 pm - Empowering International Students' Career Development through Critical Consciousness - Lynette Hepburn-Richardson, Paula Lazarim, & Xi ‘Justin’ Zhang
3:45-4:00 pm – Closing Remarks from ISSC Co-Chairs - Ivette Mekdessi & Kelly Woods
Theme Description:
In today’s world, largely shaped by the disruptions of the pandemic, the future of work is changing rapidly, and international students must navigate this complex landscape to find employment opportunities. While the future of work offers global opportunities and mobility for international students, career success requires proactive career development, a strong professional network, practical work experience, mentorship, an open mind, and staying up to date on the latest visa and immigration regulations. Key advantages that international students bring to the table are their unique perspectives and experiences. In today’s world largely shaped by the disruptions of the pandemic, international students face even more significant challenges in terms of securing employment, navigating visa requirements, and adjusting to the changing job market. As immigrants, they have the opportunity to study and live in different cultures, gaining valuable cross-cultural communication and adaptability skills. As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes more prevalent in the workplace, there is a growing need for employees who understand cultural differences that can arise when working with diverse teams.
As the job market becomes increasingly competitive, it's also important for international students to focus on developing in-demand skills that are highly valued by employers. As career development professionals, we are responsible for guiding international students through the process of career exploration, decision-making, and planning to capitalize on global opportunities and mobility opportunities. We invite all career development professionals to share their perspectives, expertise, research, and best practice examples to think and discuss together how we can help international students navigate global opportunities and find access to enhanced mobility in preparation for the future of work.
If you have questions, please reach out to the Mini-Conference Coordinator, Dr. Pankaj Desai at dr.desai.pankaj@gmail.com
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