VOA教育报道2022--International Student Launches Career Networking Site Mapis playstop mutemax volume 00:00-05:40 repeat By Dan Friedell 23 July 2022 Diana Vicezar of Paraguay is heading into her third year at Pitzer College

International Student Launches Career Networking Site Mapis

Diana Vicezar of Paraguay is heading into her third year at Pitzer College in Claremont, California.

Early in the pandemic, Vicezar could not come to the United States. She spent her first year of college learning by video from the South American country.

During that time, Vicezar said she talked with over 100 international students studying in the U.S. She found out that many experienced difficulties while looking for internships or work. Besides visa restrictions², they said there was a lack of professional development resources at the schools.

Some did not know about the Optional Practical Training program or OPT³. It is a U.S. government program that permits international students to stay in the U.S. for one more year after graduation and work in their field of study.

"I have met with many students who didn't know about OPT or who didn't know how to write an American-style resume, who didn't know who to reach out to for help. And they have to go back to their countries because, you know, they didn't have enough time to work on their applications or do their research because it was too late."

That is when Vicezar started working on a website designed to help international students with internships and job hunting in the U.S.

After almost two years, Mapis was launched last February. The site is currently open to a small number of users. Vicezar said she hopes to make it available to all international students later this year. And she is building the website while working on an internship¹ program at the technology company Meta.

Importance of networking

One professional who knows what it is like to be an international student is Eunkyu Lee who came from South Korea in the 1980s. He is now a professor and a leader of Syracuse University's business school.

Lee said many international students know that it will be harder for them to find jobs than American students if they want to stay in the U.S. As a result, they start learning about visa and work programs early on.

He said it is a good idea to join a networking group centered on international students such as Mapis, along with a more general service such as LinkedIn.

"If you don't have that kind of network or mentoring⁴, then the only resource you may have is just the official job posting which receives hundreds of resumes. ... And there, it may be really difficult for international students to stand out."

Vicezar agreed that it is important for international students to hear from successful people who were once new to the U.S. It helps them feel more confident about their own abilities. In 2022, Mapis organized several online gatherings⁵ to connect students with those working in business, journalism⁶ and technology.

Importance of learning English

Vicezar told VOA that learning English changed her life. She said she would not be where she is today without a scholarship from the English Access Microscholarship Program in Paraguay.

"I always say, you know, like, I was born again when I was 15, when I got this scholarship. ... My whole life changed after that. Coming to the U.S. for college also opened other doors for me, like the internship I have right now and also creating Mapis. So, yeah, I always motivate people to study English."

Vicezar also attended the Education USA Academy at Temple University in Philadelphia one summer, where she lived and learned with Americans and other international students.

Beyond STEM, or subjects in science, technology, engineering and math, Vicezar wants Mapis to be a place where international students can learn about business, social programs and government.

In fact, Lee, the Syracuse professor, said community service projects are a great way for international students to expand their networks and learn to work with Americans.

"It may not be directly related with their major or directly related with their internship or career opportunity they are pursuing. But kind of experiencing themselves that they can add value to the community around in the U.S. society, I think it's a very important part to develop their own self-identity and confidence."

Vicezar agreed. "After they go back to their countries, they usually make a big impact," she said.

Words in This Story

internship–n. an opportunity for students to get work experience, often during college

style–n. the way in which something is done

resume–n. a short document describing your education, work history and accomplishments⁷ you give to an employer

application–n. a request to be considered for something such as admission to school or a job

network–n. a group of people who are connected to each other, often in the same work field

mentor–n. an experienced person who can offer guidance and support

scholarship–n. money given to someone to pay for school or an educational experience

motivate–v. to give someone energy or encouragement to do something

pursue–v. the act of chasing or going after something

impact–n. to make a difference or have an effect or change something

 

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1 internship   

n.实习医师，实习医师期

参考例句：

• an internship at a television station 在电视台的实习期
• a summer internship with a small stipend 薪水微薄的暑期实习

2 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

3 opt   

vi.选择，决定做某事

参考例句：

• They opt for more holiday instead of more pay.他们选择了延长假期而不是增加工资。
• Will individual schools be given the right to opt out of the local school authority?各个学校可能有权选择退出地方教育局吗？

4 mentoring   

n.mentoring是一种工作关系。mentor通常是处在比mentee更高工作职位上的有影响力的人。他/她有比‘mentee’更丰富的工作经验和知识，并用心支持mentee的职业（发展）。v.（无经验之人的）有经验可信赖的顾问( mentor的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• One of the most effective instruments for coaching and mentoring is the "role rehearsal" . 辅导和教学的最有效的手段之一是“角色排练。” 来自辞典例句
• Bell Canada called their mentoring system a buddy-buddy system. 加拿大贝尔公司称他们的训导系统是伙伴—伙伴系统。 来自互联网

5 gatherings   

聚集( gathering的名词复数 )； 收集； 采集； 搜集

参考例句：

• His conduct at social gatherings created a lot of comment. 他在社交聚会上的表现引起许多闲话。
• During one of these gatherings a pupil caught stealing. 有一次，其中一名弟子偷窃被抓住。

6 journalism   

n.新闻工作，报业

参考例句：

• He's a teacher but he does some journalism on the side.他是教师，可还兼职做一些新闻工作。
• He had an aptitude for journalism.他有从事新闻工作的才能。

7 accomplishments   

n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就

参考例句：

• It was one of the President's greatest accomplishments. 那是总统最伟大的成就之一。
• Among her accomplishments were sewing,cooking,playing the piano and dancing. 她的才能包括缝纫、烹调、弹钢琴和跳舞。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》