Tech Talks & Connections: A Graduate IT Alumni Student Networking Event!! - My Talk with International Students as an Article for US

Thank you, Melissa Ruggiero Director, Career Resource Center, and to Professor Kevin C. Department of Management Systems and Science, Career Resource Center and University at Buffalo School of Management, The State University of New York for inviting me to the event as a guest speaker.

My sincere thanks to my Manager Kim Hernandez Business Group Manager, Enterprise Data Organization, Citi for her invaluable support.

Appreciate the organizers Anuja Ulhe and Tanya Singh for hosting wonderful session.

First, I sincerely thank the distinguished elite faculty of University at Buffalo School of Management, The State University of New York Professors for molding me.  

Coming to the event

It was indeed my pleasure to attend and share my thoughts with future Transformers of Digital Revolution.

The interest of the students fueled me to contribute to my fullest.

Apart from the discussions and interactions we had, I want to throw light on the thumb rules of Post Graduates in general and particularly to the International Student Community.

• LEGALITY: Regardless of the situation, abide by all rules and regulations, and be a person with integrity. Outside your home country, it is not a want but a need.
• RESPONSIBILITY: In the US, help each other, and work together but there is ONE person responsible for you and your actions who can be found when you look into the mirror.

If you do Good. It’s Nothing That is what you have to DO.

If you do bad. It is an INDIAN who did BAD. No one say Mr. X did Bad. Except Superstar Rajnikanth NONE is recognized here all others have only one Identity INDIAN/by Domicile.

So it is Fundamental Duty to uphold integrity Dignity and Honor of yOUR country.

• EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM: F-1 Student's Clock starts ticking almost the moment you graduate. Hence before your graduation date;

Prepare your resume SIX months before your Graduation Date

Apply Jobs 3 months before your Graduation Date

• RESUME: Centre of many questions

How many pages?

Single Page Resume worked for me for my 14 years of experience.

Is it possible to apply at a time for different Roles (Data Analyst/Product Manager/Scrum Master)

WRONG question: Why is the question wrong: You can only have one LinkedIn profile and at one point, the Recruiter/Hiring manager will have your all 3 resumes, the rest I don't need to answer.

• INTEREST: Your Aspiration VS Experience:

First aim at the roles you have experience to land in a JOB keeping in mind your LOAN/VISA status, If you are 100% CONFIDENT on your DREAM role who am I to stop?

• CURRENT MARKET: At any given point of time, you have enough negativity surrounding by you, be it Y2K, Recession, or Technology shift. I want to make it clear a few for you before I instill confidence.

The very famous BUZZ word MARKET is DOWN

My answer is that You are here to make it UP. (I never heard it is UP from Job applicants)

Another question: Last month there are a MILLION Jobs Now only 100k:

How many Jobs do you need? Just ONE 

Here comes the most prominent question to me, from those who want to STOP the SHOW.

When you were applying it was smooth now the situation is different?

SHOWSTOPPER Answer

When I arrived, it was the COVID era forget about technology/Market, people started (saying you will DIE) questioning OUR existence. Yet our batch got 100% placements in reputed organizations.

What to learn?

At this stage others don’t need to say however,

First be thorough with CORE/Fundamentals. Next advance technologies in your ROLE and CERTIFICATIONS

Ex: Data Analyst

Competencies: CORE: SQL/PLSQL Programming Language: Python; Data Visualization Tool: Tableau/Power BI Process: CSM certification for Agile Methodology

Certifications to showcase your proficiency (Certifications doesn't guarantee JOB)

• INTERVIEW: Be yourself, Well-Mannered, maintain Dignity and Decorum, Answer to the question (Unless it requires explanation stick to the point)

Many wonder why they were not selected though they answered all the questions.

Let me be clear, you might have answered 5 questions in 30 minutes of the interview. which means you didn't allow the interviewer to ask his set of questions (may be 10).

Should I answer every question?

You do not need to answer every question but you must answer what you have mentioned in your resume.

You have to memorize all the roles and responsibilities of the Role you are being interviewed.

Align your experience with the roles and responsibilities of the JOB roles.

Above all your character and attitude decide your OFFER.

Be Genuine

Be yourself

Be Positive

Be Confident.

NOTE: This is purely my personal opinion and sharing out of my experience. A lot can be added, please add your thoughts;

and not everything is applicable to everyone. There are always EXCEPTIONS who defy the GRAVITY. NEEDLESS to say, you that they achieve with HARD WORK, COMMITMENT, DEDICATION, SINCERITY AND PUNCTUALITY. I wish you to be such ONE and All the BEST. 

#Networking #UBSchoolofManagement #CareerGrowth #TechTalks