International Students get work experience while learning abroad at WSU

Valeria Parada Giacoman, a junior in neuroscience with a minor in psychology, has worked in a lab in Clark Hall since last spring and prepares solutions with reagents to test plant materials for disease.

Though her major isn't focused on agriculture, the lab work has taught her a lot about what she wants to do for a living and provides a little extra cash to pay for living expenses.

Originally from El Salvador, Parada Giacoman is one of many international students who have found part-time employment on campuses across the Washington State University system. Students on an F-1 Visacan work up to 20 hours per week. If here on a J-1 Visa, such as visiting scholars or professors, outside work can be performed as long as it is part of a pre-approved program. Parada Giacoman found her current work through WSU's online portal Handshake. International students looking to better understand the opportunities available for part-time work can check out the website for more information.

Working in the U.S. can be a valuable resume builder and gives international students the ability to afford the cost of living while at school.

Working in the U.S. can be a valuable resume builder and gives international students the ability to afford the cost of living while at school.

On a recent work day, Parada Giacoman labeled and measured small test tubes to see if pollen samples contained any virus or disease. It's a multi-day process since she must let the tested pollen sit in a refrigerator overnight. Before coming to WSU, Parada Giacoman got her associate's degree from Everett Community College and then worked for a time in her home country at a call center. She decided rather quickly that customer service will not be her career path.

"It was a stressful job," she said. "I definitely want to stay in the lab and do research."

Khushi Panchal, a junior studying computer science, has worked at Starbucks in The Bookie for about a year. Prior to coming to WSU, she had never worked a job in her home country of India. She said it's common for students to stick to studying while in college and avoid working until they graduate.

"My dad never let me work. When I came here and saw everybody's working, I said 'OK, I'm going to work,'" she said. "You get to see the smiles on their faces. A lot of professors and administrative staff come down just to hang out for a couple minutes."

Panchal said she did a lot of research before coming to the states and knew she would be eligible to work. She wanted to support herself and earn some work experience. She worked in dining services prior to her job at The Bookie.

She's learned some regular customer orders by heart and knows what to serve them as the morning progresses.

"The moment I see them I start making them their drinks and it's ready by the time they get up to the register," she said. "They say 'Oh you made my day,' that's so satisfying."