The Center for Global Programs and The Knowlton Center for Career Exploration at Denison University recently hosted Columbus Connections for International Students (hereafter referred to as Columbus Connections), a fall break event to connect international students at Denison with international student alumni and employers in the Columbus, Ohio area.

The event was held at Denison Edge, an extension of the Knowlton Center that offers supplementary career and skill-building experiences for college students and recent graduates. Nearly 30 Denison international students attended the event as the first cohort of this pilot program.

While many university students may return home to visit family or leave our residential campus during fall break, international students are often more limited, especially students who are not yet as familiar with the US or with our community. An intentionally-designed program during this time offers students an opportunity to network, be engaged in their academic and career journeys, and socialise with their peers.

The two-hour event included a panel of speakers – all international student alumni working in Columbus – followed by lunch and roundtables with local employers. Panelists and roundtable members included representatives from Kimball Midwest, The Ohio State University, JP Morgan Chase, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Owens Corning, and Park National Bank.

Columbus Connections was organised by Joshua Gory, assistant director of international student advising & career coaching. He said: “I developed the Columbus Connections for International Students event to provide an in-person, networking and career exploration opportunity designed specifically for international students.

“While there are a number of highly impactful networking events they can attend, navigating these events can be challenging because some employers may not be knowledgeable about, or open to, hiring students with curricular practical training (CPT) and optional practical training (OPT), or may not sponsor a visa.”

Connecting with employers in a purposeful setting allows students to practice networking skills and learn what employers value in job applicants. As one student noted: “My favourite part was the open networking session during lunch. It gave me the chance to meet professionals in my field and ask them about real-world career experiences. I think these connections will be invaluable when I start applying for internships, as I now have a clearer understanding of what skills are needed and how to position myself.”

One key piece of advice that stood out to me was to start building a personal brand early
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The event also reinforced the value of presence online, and beginning a professional branding initiative early in a student’s college journey, efforts that Denison strives to reinforce through advising practices in both centers. As another student noted: “One key piece of advice that stood out to me was to start building a personal brand early. By sharing my experiences and skills online, I can create a stronger professional presence, which will make it easier to stand out in a competitive job market.”

Alumni panelists who participate in this type of programming can provide invaluable perspectives on navigating internships and careers as an international student. It is also important, however, to ensure that opportunities like Columbus Connections are easily accessible. Global Programs and Knowlton were pleased to be able to offer transportation to the event, given that campus is approximately 30 miles east of Columbus, and provide lunch at no cost for participants, alleviating ancillary challenges that may otherwise discourage student engagement.

As Melanie Murphy, director of career communities and coaching for the Knowlton Center, noted: “Providing an opportunity for our international students to make the most of their fall break by networking with local employers means that students not only see the importance of connecting with employers during their time at Denison, but how crucial it is to build and maintain relationships in our greater community.” Denison intends to continue serving as a strong model for international student success, through programs like Columbus Connections, that provide opportunities beyond the academic calendar.

About the author:

Dr. Kelly McGee is director of the center for global programs at Denison University where she oversees operations for off-campus study, international student support, and the multilingual learning office. Her academic background as a sovietologist, along with her experience leading Russian language immersion programs for project global officers (a Department of Defense language initiative), is formative to her philosophy around work in international education. Kelly’s professional experience spans positions in higher education, government and government-adjacent work, and the non-profit sphere.