Interstride Expands Career Support for UST International Students

University of St. Thomas is proud to integrate Interstride, a career support platform for international students and international job search. Specializing in the needs of international students and global opportunities, Interstride is the go-to resource among higher education for serving international students to excel beyond a classroom experience.

Dr. Hans Stockton, associate vice president for Government & International Relations, said Interstride marks another milestone in UST's commitment to serve international students.

"We are called by the Church to engage in scientific and cultural exchange with people of the world," he said. "When an international student entrusts us with her or his education, we are committed to mentoring, educating and caring for them as we do all of our students. That responsibility extends through career planning and post-graduation opportunities."

According to Interstride, international students with bachelor's degrees experience lower post-graduation employee rates - 44.6 percent of international students are employed after graduation, compared to 62.1 percent of domestic students. Interstride helps international students navigate job searches, explore U.S. and international job opportunities, view visa sponsorship data and provides helpful tools for specifically for international student needs. It also helps students connect with other international students, alumni and globally-minded friends at UST while receiving expert career and immigration support.

Dora Zhang, MEd '14, director of the UST Office of International Services and Study Abroad, is grateful to Paula Marsh, BBA '09, MBA '10, executive director of the UST Career Services Center, and the Career Services team for helping fund this important service.

Zhang said this continues the reputation UST has as a standout in international student services.

"Our students would ask their international friends at other schools to come consult with our staff when their own international offices' assistance is unsatisfactory," she said. "With the addition of Interstride, UST is committed to providing top services and resources to our international students."

In line with this focus, the UST Office of Admissions has recently hired a dedicated International Admissions Counselor, Arcella Reyes, to continue to welcome and shepherd international students.

Stockton said international students thoroughly enrich the campus community.

"For many of our students who might not have traveled internationally, meeting international friends here on campus is the next best thing," he said. "Having international students in our classrooms adds important points of view and experiences to class discussion. This creates rich dialogue between students and professors."

Visit interstride.com/stthom to learn more.