International Students in STEM Concerned About Tech Economy
2023-02-12
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1Large technology companies including Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft, recently announced that they would cut thousands of jobs.
2The reductions are worrisome for students in the fields of science, engineering, technology and math, also known as STEM.
3For international students, the cuts were even more unsettling for those who hope to stay and work in the United States.
4Under U.S. laws, after finishing school, international students are permitted to work in the country for one year under the Optional Practical Training, or OPT program.
5For STEM students, the program extends their work permit for an additional two years in their field of study.
6Voice of America recently spoke with two students who are working on advanced degrees in technology.
7The students are finishing their studies this year.
8Marta Martinez Fernandez is a 27-year-old student from Valencia, Spain.
9Later this year, she will complete an MBA, or Master of Business Administration, in interpreting data at Brandeis University, near Boston.
10Fernandez had an internship, a training position, with a company in California last year.
11The company, Postman, makes a product that helps computer programs from different companies work together.
12She said that the company plans to offer her a job.
13But she said some of her classmates who finished their study programs in December are not so lucky.
14They are unemployed, and their time to find a job is running out.
15Students in the U.S. on an F-1 visa must find a job within the first 90 days after completing their studies.
16Some job offers have been withdrawn, Fernandez said, because of the economy.
17"It's definitely made everybody more competitive. It's made everybody more stressed. The market was already competitive like crazy for international students before the tech layoffs happened, I feel like right now, it's at a different level than at least I had ever witnessed before."
18Ervin, who did not want to give his full name, is a 27-year-old from Iran.
19He studies the "intersection of language and technology" at a school in the northeastern U.S.
20He said he came to study in the U.S. because of "the educational quality."
21He said he risked everything to come to the U.S., hoping for a chance to use his skills.
22Ervin said there are technology companies in Iran, but there are too many students competing for a small number of jobs.
23In the U.S., it is the opposite. There are a lot of good jobs for experts in language and technology.
24Right now, he is applying to do research in a lab at Stanford University in California.
25If he does not get a job with Stanford, he hopes to work for a company that makes computer programs to help humans speak to machines.
26Although Ervin believes he will get the research job, he worries when he hears about job reductions at big technology companies.
27That is because there are more experienced people looking for tech jobs than ever before.
28Christopher Perrello is an assistant professor at Syracuse University's School of Information Studies.
29He said even students who graduated from Syracuse three or four years ago are asking for help finding new jobs.
30"I'm worried about this," Perello said.
31"Our international students get hurt the most when these layoffs occur..." Perrello said students in technology studies who planned on working in Silicon Valley might need to consider something different.
32For example, he said they should look at healthcare and hospitals because hospitals have experience bringing in workers from other countries.
33And, "healthcare pays very well," he said.
34The other areas he suggested include working on computer systems for airlines or hotels.
35Those companies work in countries around the world and have experience with international workers.
36And the third place to look for work would be in higher education.
37Perrello warned students against spending more money just to stay in school in order to stay in the U.S.
38"What you're really doing there is now you're just setting that candidate up for another few years of uncertainty and ambiguity. And that could cause some further mental health challenges or further, you know, anxieties with getting other jobs."
39If Martinez Fernandez's job offer from Postman does not come through, she said she might consider staying in the U.S. and trying to start her own business.
40For Ervin, if he does not get a good job or research position, he said he still is happy that he came to study in the U.S.
41"I think the biggest risk is to stay stable and not do anything."
42Even if it does not work out, Ervin said, he has a great degree he can use in his home country.
43I'm Dan Friedell. And I'm Caty Weaver.
1Large technology companies including Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft, recently announced that they would cut thousands of jobs. 2The reductions are worrisome for students in the fields of science, engineering, technology and math, also known as STEM. For international students, the cuts were even more unsettling for those who hope to stay and work in the United States. 3Under U.S. laws, after finishing school, international students are permitted to work in the country for one year under the Optional Practical Training, or OPT program. For STEM students, the program extends their work permit for an additional two years in their field of study. 4Voice of America recently spoke with two students who are working on advanced degrees in technology. The students are finishing their studies this year. 5A data student from Spain 6Marta Martinez Fernandez is a 27-year-old student from Valencia, Spain. Later this year, she will complete an MBA, or Master of Business Administration, in interpreting data at Brandeis University, near Boston. 7Fernandez had an internship, a training position, with a company in California last year. The company, Postman, makes a product that helps computer programs from different companies work together. She said that the company plans to offer her a job. 8But she said some of her classmates who finished their study programs in December are not so lucky. They are unemployed, and their time to find a job is running out. 9Students in the U.S. on an F-1 visa must find a job within the first 90 days after completing their studies. Some job offers have been withdrawn, Fernandez said, because of the economy. 10"It's definitely made everybody more competitive. It's made everybody more stressed. The market was already competitive like crazy for international students before the tech layoffs happened, I feel like right now, it's at a different level than at least I had ever witnessed before." 11An artificial intelligence student from Iran 12Ervin, who did not want to give his full name, is a 27-year-old from Iran. He studies the "intersection of language and technology" at a school in the northeastern U.S. 13He said he came to study in the U.S. because of "the educational quality." He said he risked everything to come to the U.S., hoping for a chance to use his skills. 14Ervin said there are technology companies in Iran, but there are too many students competing for a small number of jobs. In the U.S., it is the opposite. There are a lot of good jobs for experts in language and technology. 15Right now, he is applying to do research in a lab at Stanford University in California. If he does not get a job with Stanford, he hopes to work for a company that makes computer programs to help humans speak to machines. 16Although Ervin believes he will get the research job, he worries when he hears about job reductions at big technology companies. That is because there are more experienced people looking for tech jobs than ever before. 17Advice from a professor 18Christopher Perrello is an assistant professor at Syracuse University's School of Information Studies. He said even students who graduated from Syracuse three or four years ago are asking for help finding new jobs. 19"I'm worried about this," Perello said. "Our international students get hurt the most when these layoffs occur..." Perrello said students in technology studies who planned on working in Silicon Valley might need to consider something different. 20For example, he said they should look at healthcare and hospitals because hospitals have experience bringing in workers from other countries. And, "healthcare pays very well," he said. 21The other areas he suggested include working on computer systems for airlines or hotels. Those companies work in countries around the world and have experience with international workers. And the third place to look for work would be in higher education. 22Perrello warned students against spending more money just to stay in school in order to stay in the U.S. 23"What you're really doing there is now you're just setting that candidate up for another few years of uncertainty and ambiguity. And that could cause some further mental health challenges or further, you know, anxieties with getting other jobs." 24Back-up plans? 25If Martinez Fernandez's job offer from Postman does not come through, she said she might consider staying in the U.S. and trying to start her own business. 26For Ervin, if he does not get a good job or research position, he said he still is happy that he came to study in the U.S. 27"I think the biggest risk is to stay stable and not do anything." 28Even if it does not work out, Ervin said, he has a great degree he can use in his home country. 29I'm Dan Friedell. And I'm Caty Weaver. 30Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. 31_____________________________________________________________________ 32Words in This Story 33advanced -adj. a higher level than something else 34interpret -v. to work to understand something 35stressed -adj. a feeling of worry or anxiety 36layoff -n. when a business eliminates workers 37intersection -n. the point where two things meet 38apply -v. to write or express interest in a job, school program, etc. 39occur -v. to happen 40ambiguity -n. a lack of clarity or understanding 41anxiety -n. a feeling of worry or nervousness 42_____________________________________________________________________ 43We want to hear from you. Do you think the international students will find jobs for their OPT? 44We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 45Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.