Hi International Students,
As a bit of background, I graduated from the MSF program at BC a few years ago. Everything I'm about to say is anecdotal from my time at BC and going back to BC a few months ago as a guest speaker to the MSF class. If there are any refutes to what I am saying, I welcome them.
I want to set expectations for international students entering or thinking of entering an MSF program: it will be a battle to get a job. And by battle I mean it may take you endless networking, a few months of unemployment, and maybe even going back to your home country to find work. Many times I witnessed less qualified American students get jobs over their more qualified international counterparts on many occasions. The reason? Mediocre English skills and no long term work authorization.
What can help your prospects? I thought this memo from the Associate Dean of BC was very insightful and could be very beneficial to any international student considering an MSF in the USA:
Message for International Students
I don't want to be pessimistic, just trying to set realistic expectations. In my class, it took many of the international students quite a few months after graduation to finally land a job in the US. Another large percent went back to their home country and were able to get great jobs after giving up trying to find work in the US. The ones who had the most success had great English skills, had solid internship or work experience, and had long term work authorization. The brutal fact is, many smaller companies (1,000 employees) are not willing to sponsor visas.
I hope this candid advice can allow any international students make a fair assessment MSF programs and set realistic career goals after.
