Local lawyer Thomas Arkell spoke to international students Wednesday in the Garrett Multicultural Center about their immigration and employment options and urged them to utilize campus resources.
International students typically don’t put as much effort as is needed into learning about their visa status or looking for a job, according to Arkell.
“It always surprises me how little work people put in after they get here into the job search,” Arkell said. “You’ve obviously worked hard to get here as international students, to get good grades, high test scores. You should put in almost as much or more work figuring out how the immigration system works.”
Arkell stressed the importance of visiting the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, which provides students with information about immigration forms, and the Smith Career Center, which will help them find a job.
“If an immigration lawyer tells you that you need a lawyer to help you with [immigration options], you don’t,” Arkell said.
International students at Bradley hold F-1 visas that allow them to pursue undergraduate or graduate studies in the United States.
Arkell discussed Optional Practical Training (OPT), which is an option F-1 students can apply for after nine months of education, allowing them to work in the U.S. for up to one year and gain training within their field of study.
Graduate student Shruti Hardia will graduate in December and look at her options after F-1 status.
“There are minor issues that I was confused about what’s going on, so I came to clear that up,” Hardia said. “I am planning for an OPT, so I basically want to use the education that I have done here.”
Graduate student Anitha Rathod said Arkell’s presentation also provided her with needed information.
“I had a lot of confusion about visa status, so I came so that I would be clear about my options,” Rathod said.
Students can reach the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at (309) 677-2646 and the Smith Career Center at (309) 677-2510.
