They say it takes courage to pack our lives into two 23kg travel bags and move to a new country. However, no one exactly prepares us for how daunting the task ahead may get. For some of us, studying at Sussex is the first step in our plan to launch our careers in the UK. We had it all planned out, dreamt about it, and wrote it down. Now that we are at Sussex, reality seems to differ. The UK, once the perfect place for our dreams, is beginning to look like fiction. Why are there hundreds of 'Unfortunately…' sitting ugly in our email inboxes? We are beginning to lose hope, on the edge of regret. But isn't Sussex always there for us? Of course! Sussex always has our backs.

In this blog post, we will explore some of the common career challenges international students at the University encounter, and more importantly, how you can navigate through these challenges to achieve your career goals in the UK.

Finding the right career resources

One of the first things that hit international students seeking career opportunities in the UK is the difficulty of figuring out where to find student jobs and how to apply for them. Moving from a familiar job market to an entirely strange one can be overwhelming. I vividly remember getting worried about finding a suitable job within the first two months of my studies at Sussex. Some days offered little to no information, while others overwhelmed me with too much information. I was feeling discouraged until I stumbled upon the University's Career Hub. This was a game-changer for me. I went from having no job to having multiple on-campus and off-campus jobs exactly as I wanted. The Career Hub made it easy for me to find the right career resources without feeling overwhelmed. If you are still looking for a job or want to upgrade or change careers, this is the right place to go.

Not sure what the process is for applying for jobs in the UK? There’s also international-specific advice for applying for jobs in the UK on the Student Hub.

Unlocking the secrets of job fairs

Another challenge for international students is being aware of different job fairs the University makes available and not knowing how to maximize them. I remember the only job I got from the first job fair I attended was a self-sponsored task of gathering fliers and posters from companies I never reached out to. I was optimistic but unprepared with no CV. Learn from my mistake; if you don't have a CV yet, there is another job fair coming up soon, so write your CV now.

Make use of support

It is not uncommon for international students to feel lost and isolated in a new country while navigating career challenges. However, you don't have to do it alone. There is a multitude of support available to help you navigate your career. Seek one-on-one career advice from professionals within the university. If, like me, you feel intimidated by one-on-one meetings, you can also connect with alumni online who have succeeded in your field of choice.

Don’t give up too easily

Lack of resilience is another career challenge international students face. We need the courage, determination, and motivation to keep trying until we get what we want, otherwise we end up settling for jobs we wouldn't normally do back at home. The biggest secret to breaking through these challenges is to remain consistent and resilient. Remember to pause, and breathe, but continue trying until you land your dream career. It is not out of reach.

We’ve Got This!

Navigating our careers as international students at Sussex is about utilizing all the career resources the University provides and remaining consistent and resilient. At Sussex, you are never alone!

Similoluwa Adefioye is a Masters's Student of International Education and Development. She enjoys writing and utilising the pen for the benefit of others. When not writing, she is either working as an International Educator, representing international students within and outside Sussex or advocating for Gender Equality as one of the UN Women UK CSW 68 delegates.