Student: Bilge Koçak, Villanova University Class of 2024

What is your major/program of study here at Villanova?

I had two majors: Computer Science, Statistics

What are your plans after graduation?

I will be working at Microsoft as a Software Engineer.

Were there any resources on campus that helped you adjust to being a full-time student in the United States?

Presidential Scholars Program, Center for Research and Fellowships, International Students Office, VISO.

What advice would you give to other international students who are looking for employment after graduation?

I think it is important for international students to acknowledge that some things are going to be harder for them during their job search. After seeing the “will you now or in the future require a sponsorship for employment visa status?” question multiple times, I also questioned if I could find a job here. It is important to try your best in applying to as many positions as you can, prepare well for interviews, and not take rejections too personally. To network, it is always a good idea to go to conferences and meet with recruiters, or reach out to people with similar interests on LinkedIn.

What resources (either on campus or off) would you recommend that other international students seek out to help them learn more about the job search process?

I think what helped me the most was maintaining a strong presence on LinkedIn. I constantly checked it for career advice and tried to follow what people in my class year or a few years older than me are doing. I reached out to people on LinkedIn many times — whether it is to ask someone how they got their first internship, request a resume review from a university recruiter, or find interns with similar interests after I got my internship! Another great resource that we rarely talk about is other international students at Villanova. I had a Turkish friend who is two years older than me at Villanova, who also went to my high school. Without her telling me about her own experiences, figuring things out on my own would have been a lot harder. I learned so much from her!

Want to hear from other international students at Villanova? Join the Villanova International Student Organization, and/or stay tuned for more student spotlights on our Career Connections page!