Date Approved
8-5-2024
Graduate Degree Type
Project
Degree Name
Social Innovation (M.A.)
Degree Program
School of Community Leadership & Development
First Advisor
Daniela Marini
Second Advisor
Mark Hoffman
Academic Year
2023/2024
Abstract
International students have historically gravitated toward the United States as a higher education destination, and have subsequently been a significant source of funding for the U.S. economy. However, international students have been observed facing challenges finding employment in the United States, during or after their degree programs, which can deter prospective students from attending U.S. universities.
This study used nine semi-structured interviews to investigate what U.S. employers across various industries in Michigan perceived as the costs and benefits of hiring international students as interns.
The study found financial, procedural, and organizational costs that were seen as barriers for U.S. employers to employ international students for full-time work, which subsequently hindered the students’ chances of getting hired as interns. Despite these barriers, employers reported benefits for hiring international interns, namely their motivation, willingness to learn, international perspectives, and loyalty. These traits could encourage U.S. employers to explore international students as an underutilized talent source.
This study hopes to offer insights that can fill the lack of research in the field of international student employment and encourage all stakeholders to co-create solutions to help students fulfill their internship requirements and gain work experience during their time in the United States.
ScholarWorks Citation
Yek, Jowei, "Employing Intern-national Students: Perceived Costs and Benefits to Employers for Hiring International Student Interns" (2024). Culminating Experience Projects. 482.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/gradprojects/482
