(originally posted on TAOpivot)

TAOpivot has been in operation for a little over a year now. We have met with many prospective clients who are primarily university students at the graduate level. A common complaint we come across from these prospects (and from our own clients) is this:

How come it is so hard for international students to even find internships?

Good question. Part of TAOpivot’s mission is to demystify/educate employers in the Denver-Boulder area about international students and how employers can utilize this “unseen” population.

When talking with employers, many of them seem to have the same concern:

We cannot handle visa paperwork; therefore, we cannot have an international student work for us.

Valid concern, but TAOpivot is here to tell you it’s not that scary!

International students at U.S. universities are on either F-1 or J-1 visas. These students, after one year of academic study, can qualify for paid or unpaid internships. Because there are few opportunities for these students to even get interviews with employers, many are VERY willing to work unpaid internships (as long as the internship will still provide a learning experience for them).

In this second year of operation, TAOpivot has worked with several employers in the region on establishing internship guidelines and abiding by U.S. labor laws. These employers have been enlightened by TAOpivot’s guidance and education.

You, too, can be enlightened by the process. Download our tip sheet, 6 Things to Consider When Searching for Foreign Talent, by going to the original post.