Getting ready for American careers

Guatam Ranjan has added “three C’s” — confidence, connections and communication — to his educational portfolio.

Ranjan picked up the traits in the new Professional Skills Certificate Program in the Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science that prepares international graduate students to become part of American businesses.

“Being an international student, I felt the need to learn the differences between the Indian and U.S. hiring processes,” says Ranjan, a first-year mechanical engineering master’s student from India. “I learned how social and professional networking is an important part of the job-search process.”

Hongya Lu, a doctoral student in industrial engineering from China, says the skills she learned in the program will help her as she looks for a job.

“I have already achieved more than I expected,” Lu says. “From the practical skills provided by the program, I gained ideas about how to apply for jobs, how to prepare for interviews and how to communicate with people in an effective way.”

The 10-week course started in January and focused on teaching international students how to write resumés, network and interact in professional business cultures of the United States. Beyond lectures and role-playing, students participated in job and internship fairs and a networking event with local Binghamton alumni — with instructors on hand to answer questions and help as needed.

The goal was to bring engineering students up to speed on both academic disciplines and social norms.

“We focused on going through what’s expected, then what’s going to be in the purview for American business skills and job-search skills,” says course instructor Amanda Chiarot, who is the International Career and Alumni Connections Coordinator for the Watson School. Cheryl Monachino, the director for Industrial Outreach, including SPIR, also teaches the course.

“We do the basic skills,” Chiarot says. “But [beyond American versions] we speak to people who have business experience back in their home countries, too. Overall, we want the students to come away with skills they need whenever they’re pursuing and sustaining their career.”

At the end of the program students had a portfolio of job-search “tools,” including template emails, resumés and cover letters.

For the recently graduated, though, Ranjan says the program has given him the skills to pursue his ideal career.

“It is definitely going to help me in understanding how to prepare myself for the kind of career I am dreaming of,” he says. “I would recommend this program to all job and internship aspirants, especially international students.”