For Students

The International Students and Programs Office (ISPO) offers valuable services, advising and up-to-date information — including Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT) deadlines — as well as many other services. And each year we invite staff to present important information about OPT and CPT to our students. They will review the procedures and deadlines for securing jobs and internships in the U.S. 

Identify companies who have submitted H1B visa applications through GoinGlobal. This research tool provides expert advice and insider tips for finding employment opportunities at home and abroad.

Register for English language improvement, accent reduction and business English classes through UC San Diego Extension.

International Student Success Series

With more than half of our students now coming to GPS from outside the U.S., we have launched a new series of career programming specifically for international students. The International Student Success Series will include workshops, alumni panels and networking events aimed at helping GPS international students navigate the internship and job search process.

Workshops, employer information sessions and career panels are held each year. Students will be able to explore career pathways, meet employers and develop a career strategy that will help you throughout a lifetime of career and job changes.

Career Orientation Program (COP)

This series of workshops for incoming students introduces career pathways in international affairs, teaches resume and professional communications, networking and job search success strategies.

Academic Year Workshops

To accommodate the wide range of students' career interests, we offer a large selection of workshops addressing topics such as:

• Career resources for international students
• Getting a head start on government internships
• Private sector internship search preparation
• International development career pathways
• Navigating career fairs
• Evaluating and negotiating offers of employment
• Case interviewing

Alumni Career Talks and Panels

Regularly scheduled alumni career talks and information sessions are held throughout the year. These sessions showcase career fields and employers that align with the School's career tracks, and provide concrete networking and recruiting opportunities.

Larger alumni-student networking events include winter and spring connections. These events incorporate career talks and each year generates several interviews, internship and employment offers from alumni across all sectors.

Connecting with Employers

Students have the opportunity to meet, interview with and connect with professionals from organizations and companies around the world. Annual career fairs are conducted in collaboration with other universities, along with on-campus information and recruitment sessions and company site visits.
 

Career Treks and Employer Site Visits

Annual outreach trips to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, Calif., New York City, and Washington, D.C., feature group meetings at target organizations and large alumni networking events. In addition, regular site visits to Southern California-based organizations are held throughout the year.

Alumni Mentor Program

Our program pairs students with alumni for an ongoing relationship that enhances connections and strengthens the student experience through alumni insights. Participation in the program is open to first- and second-year students who are motivated and committed to actively participate in the program.

The purpose of the program is to help facilitate internship and job searches, plus career related coaching. In year-end surveys, students report receiving help from their mentors on topics such as narrowing a target list, networking, resume and interviewing techniques and negotiating offers of employment.

GPS Alumni Office Hours Program

This program gives students the opportunity to regularly meet with alumni who will share their insights and advice on a variety of topics. The goal of the program is to offer students the chance to meet with practitioners who have themselves gone through the program and are working in potential areas of interest to current students.

Alumni Advisor Network

The Alumni Advisor Network, powered by Evisors, is a powerful online tool that gives students access to expert advice from UC San Diego alumni. Say the student wants to become an policy maker? Get advice from GPS alumni. How about launch a start-up? Get help from a local entrepreneur or investor. Not sure if marketing is right for you? Ask for a consultation from a leading brand expert. You get the idea. The Alumni Advisor Network gives you a chance to give advice, on demand. Sign up now.