By MEGAN SMITH

Staff Writer

The International Student Association and the International Student Office are combining efforts to lead international students into the future.

A seminar series focused on the need-toÐknow information of getting a job is being offered to international students.

The first seminar was Feb. 2 and Sandra George, coordinator for the ISO, said it was a very good turnout.

"We had at least 200 students that came," George said. "Dan [Erickson, director of the ISO,] led it, and what he talked about was some of the mechanics and immigration laws side of [optional practical training]," George said.

After international students graduate, they are entitled to a year of OPT, George said.

"That year is designed to give the students a year of practical experience in the workplace here in the United States, which is very valuable," George said.

This training is important to students, George said, because it is an addition to their education.

"It is very valuable for them to get some work experience on top of the education they have received," George said. "It is extremely valuable for them if they go back home and work to be able to say they have this education in the United States and they've had work experience here."

Amol Damle, vice president of the ISA, said the ISA took the initiative in planning for these seminars.

"We are asking all international students to take advantage of this opportunity and attend as many seminars as they can," Damle said. "Students have an opportunity to ask questions and request the topics they would like to know about."

Some of the problems faced by American students might not compare to those of international students, Erickson said.

"We know how hard it is for Americans to organize and figure out how to go about looking for a job or investigate the job market, and it is doubly hard for international students," Erickson said.

After the first seminar, Erickson said he was pleased with the results.

"The reviews have been really good," Erickson said. "There are a lot of law issues, and our students constantly need to know what they need to do to stay legal in this country."

Erickson said he wants to help give the students the know-how on post graduation requirements.

"It is a benefit to have a blueprint to what you need to do to stay legal, the steps you need to take," Erickson said. "That is very valuable information."

One specialist Erickson plans to have as a guest speaker is a retired recruiter.

"He is going to come in and talk about what he would look for in terms of resumes, what kinds of questions he would ask and what he is looking for by asking those questions," Erickson said.

Damle said students have an opportunity to learn about all of the different opportunities in the American job market.

"Some students do not know about some of the important issues and benefits like insurance and 401Ks," Damle said. "We will have professionals come in from different fields to speak to the students."

Damle said they are hoping to have these seminars once a month or every three weeks.