Seize Your Superpower
Determining what to pursue after graduation is stressful for all students, however, with additional stressors such as employment barriers and the safety and wellness of yourself and your family, preparing for life after graduation can feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders.
It is common to have questions such as: What career or industry is best for me and supports my values? How can I gain experience and employment in this industry? Will I be able to land a job after graduation without a work permit? How do I apply for and fund graduate school?
Career Services is here to support this journey. We are committed to ensuring your success, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. You can use this page as a guide to get started.
Key Campus Resources @ UCSB
Discover Options: Undocumented Students
For complete information on assessing yourself, choosing majors, and exploring careers, review our starter tips to Discover Options in all careers as well as the specialized tips on this page.
Career and Community Values
Values are deep motivations that inspire action. A common personal and professional value of undocumented students is a desire to support the community. Do you identify with this?
Oftentimes, people become involved in politics to help the immigrant community, however, it is important to note that politics are not the only manner in which you can impact your community. There are many additional ways to create positive change for our communities.
To determine how you want to make a difference, consider your answers to these questions, noting that there are no wrong answers:
- Would you rather create impact on an individual or a societal level?
- What demographics would you like to support?
- In which ways would you like to create change?
- Would you like to give back to your community through your career or outside activities?
By answering some of these questions, you may be able to narrow down career options that fit you best. Whether you pursue a career as an academic advisor for undocumented students like you, support a cause outside of the workspace, or obtain a lobbyist position for political reform, your role is equally important to the community. There are no wrong answers.
Ultimately, undocumented students pursue a wide variety of career paths. When you are deciding which one you wish to pursue, we recommend that you Take an Assessment through Career Services to identify your interests, personality, strengths, and values. Then, meet with a career counselor to process your results and develop an action plan to move forward.
