I was having dinner in a restaurant across busy State Street, Ann Arbor with my older friend and mentor, whose pseudonym I am going to call William. William – a PhD student in Electrical Engineering – knew the nooks and crannies of pursuing a career in the field, knowledge that would help me navigate my own journey as an aspiring electrical engineer. As we ate and enjoyed the company, I listened intently to William delivering wisdom on doing research, succeeding in class, building strong professor-student relationships. Having dinner with William was a milestone that marked my progress in finding people and support in this new country.
Moving to the US as an international student comes with finding a career without the support you would get in your home country. But a strong network of mentors reduces the stress and guides you to your intended profession. William, other older students, and my professors have helped me in ways that I didn’t know I needed, and have shown me that listening to people who have trodden the same paths you plan on venturing into is highly advantageous if you want to achieve your goals. This applies to all fields, not only electrical engineering.
How can you find mentors and direction to your intended career?
Join professional clubs and student organizations: Many have mentorship programs that match older students, who have first-hand experience in your chosen field, with younger students looking to break into a specific area.
Talk to your professors, especially through office hours: Professors hold office hours where you can ask questions about class and the professor’s area of speciality as well, a golden opportunity for you to discover insights into a particular career or field.
Join professional networking platforms: These include LinkedIn and university-affiliated platforms that act as a hub for professionals and aspiring professionals to connect with each other.
Cold outreach: You’d be surprised how successful reaching out through, for example, a cold email works for turning strangers into people who support your goals. Suppose you find someone with the job you want – reach out to them; there’s a decent chance they’d be willing to share their experiences with you. A lot of professionals like helping college students, so use this opportunity whenever you can.
These are among the ways you can find people who support you in your professional endeavors. At first it may feel a little awkward asking for help in a seemingly transactional way. But mentorship isn’t just a one-way street; it goes both ways. By asking for help, you acknowledge the other person has valuable experience and expertise that has the potential to improve someone’s life. People are also willing to help you because in the future you’ll likely be able to do the same. Help someone today and, if they are a decent person, they’ll return the favor. Keeping your head down and being a lone wolf doesn’t work well in the US (and other places too). Be a social hominid who gives and receives help and you’ll find your footing in this country.
Written by Andy Wang
Summer Orientation Peer Advisor
Undergraduate Student
New Zealand
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