International Student Milestones: Key Information and Steps for Your Success!

Published on August 26, 2024

As an international student, there is a lot of information about what you need to do to begin your studies and reach your goals. To help you see an overview of the different steps and resources available to you, we’ve created the following milestones.

Within each milestone, there is a mix of different actions listed (either required or recommended) that will help you progress in your academics and toward graduation.

Important: these milestones are general recommendations, but your specific visa and/or personal circumstances may be different. Please consult and confirm with ISSS and/or your academic advisor with any questions, concerns, or issues you may have.

Acronyms

  • DU = University of Denver
  • ISSS = International Student and Scholar Services
  • CPD = Career and Professional Development
  • PCO = Pioneer Careers Online, DU’s career platform and job/internship board
  • STEM = Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
  • CPT = Curricular Practical Training for F-1 visa students
  • OPT = Optional Practical Training for F-1 visa students
  • SEVIS = Web-based system for maintaining information on nonimmigrant student and exchange visitors in the U.S.

DU Websites:

ISSS

Career and Professional Development

Academic Advising

Student Employment

Student Disability Services (SDS)

Alumni Career and Professional Development

  • Accept your DU offer of admission and complete the Slate International Checklist and financial verification so your visa can be issued.
  • Register full-time in classes and review your on-campus and graduation course requirements. Purchase books and class materials as necessary.
  • Confirm if your program is considered STEM or non-STEM for OPT purposes.
  • Plan ahead for where you will live, your financial budget, transportation to/from campus, groceries, etc.
  • Create a plan for housing, transportation to/from campus, and budget for groceries and other living essentials.
  • Complete ISSS check-in process after arrival and attend International Student Orientation after arrival in U.S.
  • Learn about U.S. style resume standards, then upload your resume to PCO.
  • Attend a session on International Student Employment and learn from ISSS about your work authorization status. Explore on-campus student jobs on PCO.
  • Brainstorm and research potential career paths and job titles related to your degree, if you’re planning to pursue H1-B visa after graduation. Or explore additional educational paths (MA, PhD, etc.)
  • Complete your profile in Crimson Constellation and explore other student/alumni profiles.

  • Begin your classes and become familiar with Canvas, the DU quarter system, and the format of your classes (on-campus, hybrid, asynchronous).
  • Start learning about CPT and OPT requirements, which typically cannot be done during your first academic year.
  • Schedule a career advising appointment on PCO with your career advisor and try attending a career workshop or an on-campus career fair.
  • Consider applying for an on-campus student employment job and attend the fall quarter Student Employment Job Fair. If you get a student employment job, apply for a Social Security Number (SSN).
  • Meet with your academic advisor to create a graduation degree plan so you know what classes to take every quarter.
  • Meet new people and grow your friend group by attending social and academic events on and off-campus. Use CrimsonConnect to see what events are happening on-campus!
  • Familiarize yourself with DU resources that can help you with academics, culture, language, and other needs. It’s ok (and expected) to ask for help!
  • Conduct an informational interview with 1-2 alumni or professionals in your field to learn more about career paths and what you need to do to be successful. Consider using Crimson Constellation and/or LinkedIn to find these alumni/professionals.

  • Review OPT website and/or attend workshop to learn about timeline and process for work authorization after graduation.
  • Meet with ISSS if you’re interested in pursuing OPT or CPT before or after graduation.
  • Continue to build career skills. For example: practice writing a cover letter, update your resume, update your LinkedIn profile, attend a networking event, etc.
  • Identify employers of interest in H1-B database on GoinGlobal.
  • Meet with your academic advisor to confirm your graduation plan and class schedule.
  • Participate in on-campus groups or clubs, and attend events, and hold leadership positions to build leadership and communication skills.
  • Consider applying for student employment, if you have not done so already, or continue your student employment. Identify the transferable skills you’re building and practice talking about them to employers!
  • If relevant, learn about the U.S. hiring process for jobs/internships and start practicing your interview skills.

  • Prepare and complete your program related capstone, thesis, or other final project.
  • Understand your timeline for different options post-graduation and consider alternate plans in case things change unexpectedly.
  • Work with ISSS to apply for OPT or take next steps to maintain non-immigrant status such as apply for new program or schedule SEVIS transfer to new school. Learn how to report OPT employment after graduation
  • Meet with your career advisor to identify job search strategies and plan.
  • Continue your job search preparation and practice articulating your skills to potential employers.
  • Attend All-Majors career fair(s) that align with your hiring timeframe.
  • If applicable, start applying for graduate programs of interest.
  • Apply for and attend graduation.
  • Learn about your Alumni Career and Professional Development team and services.

  • Determine next steps after OPT such as departing US, starting new academic program or applying for STEM OPT, if applicable.
  • Continue to meet and communicate with your career advisor up to 1-year post-graduation.
  • Complete First-Destinations survey on PCO to update your plans post-graduation.
  • Explore resources with Alumni Career and Professional Development team 1+ years post-graduation.
By Megan Pritchett
Megan Pritchett Assistant Director, Graduate Career and Professional Development
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