Specialized Job Search Courses Fill a Vital Niche for University ELLs The American Language Institute at USC created a specialized job search course to address the unmet career needs of international students. The course integrates language skills and provides support for all aspects of the job search process. It exposes students to American work culture and helps develop skills for obtaining professional positions. Course activities include creating resumes, cover letters, elevator pitches, networking practices, mock interviews, and informational interviews. The goal is to give ELL students the linguistic and cultural tools needed to successfully navigate the job search process in English.

1. Specialized Job Search
Courses Fill a Vital Niche for
University ELLs
KIMBERLEY BRIESCH SUMNER
ERIC H. ROTH
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, AMERICAN LANGUAGE INSTITUTE
TESOL 2015, TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA
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2. Background
American Language Institute (ALI)
 International student
population with unmet career
needs
 Curriculum throughout
department divided into oral
skills and writing courses
 Culture of academic and
professional training for
matriculated students
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3. 2 Moms, 2 Daughters, and
a Child Care Center
 Forged a cross-campus relationship
bringing students’ needs to the forefront
 Career Center Struggles:
Number of international students
Advisors uncomfortable giving linguistic
and cultural advice to students who need a
lot of help.
 Students referred to campus Writing
Center
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4. Students’ Unmet Needs:
Inter-Departmental Discussions
Career Center representatives spoke at ALI faculty meetings
to describe issues:
 International students are underserved by current
university career services.
 Students often lack awareness of available resources.
 Unrealistic job search expectations (I want an
internship by the end of the semester!)
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5. Services Available to Students
Outside of ALI
 Career Center (Primarily undergraduate)
 Viterbi Career Services (Engineering)
 Office of International Students (OIS)
 Various Departments Across Campus
 Annenberg School of Communications
 Price School of Public Policy and Development
 Marshall School of Business
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6. A Course is Created
 Integrate all language skills
 Provide language support in every aspect of the job
search
 Provide a window into American job-search/work culture
 Develop and deepen specific language skills for obtaining
professional positions
 Create task-based activities and assignments
 Practice vital communication skills in a supportive and
safe environment
 Increase self awareness
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7. What Color Is Your Parachute?
 First published in 1970
 New edition each year; always adapts job search
strategies for the current job market.
 Includes:
 “Traditional” vs. “New” job search strategies and
employer perspectives.
 Strong focus on using social media and
networking.
 Practical advice on constructing a resume,
conducting informational interviews, and
determining your “dream job.”
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8. 100 Conversations for
Career Success
 Offers concrete strategies to put the job
seeker in touch with potential employers
 Situations and scripts are provided.
 Emphasizes social and online
networking.
 Strongly encourages creating lasting
relationships by adding value to
networking exchanges and following up.
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9. Sample Course Activities
 Biographical Statement
 Elevator Pitch
 Cover letter
 Resume: Traditional vs. Online
 Personal Marketing Plan
 Networking Practice
 Using Job Posts to Personalize Applications
 Mock Job Interview: Phone screens, face-to-
face, and online interviews
 Informational Interviews
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10. The Elevator Pitch
 A short, interesting self-description
 Goal: Compel the other person to
ask more questions
 Requires practice and adaptability
(20 seconds – 2 minutes)
 Great for networking events and
career fairs
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11. Biostatements
 Widely deployed in social media
 Who are you?
 Third person perspective
 100-200 words
 Photo + biostatement
 See professor’s profiles
 Use biostatment checklist
 Peer review
 First student-professor conference
 Week two
 Eric H. Roth teaches international graduate
students the pleasures of academic writing and
public speaking in English at the University of
Southern California. He has taught numerous
English and writing courses at Santa Monica
Community College, UCLA Extension, and Cal
State, Long Beach’s American Language Institute,
and Santa Monica-Malibu Adult Education Center.
Roth, a former journalist and Congressional aide,
also directed the CES Adult Education Center
from 1996-1999, assisting over 1,000 immigrants
and refugees in becoming naturalized U.S.
citizens. He attended Wabash College on a Lilly
Scholarship that covered all expenses, majored in
Philosophy, and received his BA in 1984. Roth
later received his MA in Media Studies in 1988
from The New School (for Social Research) in
New York City. He has taught writing courses in
Spain, France, and Vietnam.
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12. Creating a Network
 ANYONE a student meets has
potential!
 Actively establish a relationship
online or face-to-face.
 All skills needed: Small talk,
longer conversations, e-mails,
cultural conventions,
collocations, etc.
 Follow-up with contacts is
essential!
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13. Informational Interviews
 Best practice among white collar professionals
 Interviewing working professionals
 Worker to worker communication
 Students create a professional network
 Practical skill with an authentic context
 Multiple professional communication tasks
 Contact (often via SCconnect)
 Interview – 20 minutes
 Thank you
 Trip report
 Capstone project
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14. References and Resources
 What Color is Your Parachute? (2014 Ed.). Richard N.
Bolles.
 100 Conversations for Career Success. (2012). Laura M.
Labovich & Miriam Salpeter.
 USC Career Center and Career Network
 Viterbi Career Center
 www.LinkedIn.com
 www.glassdoor.com
 www.careerbeam.com
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15. Acknowledgments
 ALI 280 Students
 USC Career Center
 USC Global Initiatives
 Jim Valentine, ALI Director
 Danny Hackin
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16. Image Sources
 www.amazon.com
 www.boston.com
 http://confidentialinv.com/employee-
background-checks-insurance-lehigh-
valley
 http://ingensystems.com/ProductsServi
ces/Services/Training.aspx
 www.lifehacker.com
 Missioncollege.org
 http://www.news-sap.com/how-to-
network-like-a-pro/
 http://planforcollegea2z.blogspot.com/
2012/12/when-does-college-transfer-
make-sense.html
 https://twitter.com/usccareercenter
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17. Thanks for Listening!
Questions? Comments?
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18. Contact us to share
your thoughts!
KIMBERLEY BRIESCH SUMNER
KBRIESUM@USC.EDU
ERIC H. ROTH
ERICROTH@USC.EDU
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