Career Resources for Undocumented Students

At Dominican University, we recognize that undocumented students encounter obstacles in their career journeys. Our commitment to inclusivity drives us to provide comprehensive support for all students, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. The Office of Career Programs and Employer Relations is dedicated to supporting undocumented students, offering personalized guidance and resources to help undocumented students navigate their career journey and achieve their goals. 

For more information about Dominican’s commitment as a Sanctuary Campus click here.

Most job applications will ask, “Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?”

If you have DACA, you are able to answer “yes” and continue through the hiring process without disclosing additional information about your background.

If you are not legally authorized to work in the United States, we have resources to offer you to support your career journey.

Acknowledgment of Diverse and Changing Immigration Statuses

We recognize that immigrant students come from a wide range of backgrounds, with varying and sometimes changing legal statuses that can impact work authorization, educational opportunities, and other aspects of their lives. We understand that these statuses may include, but are not limited to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, individuals with temporary protected status (TPS), students on visas (e.g., F-1, J-1), DACA recipients, as well as individuals whose status may be pending or under review.

We are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment where all students, regardless of their immigration status, can access the resources, guidance, and opportunities they need to succeed. We also recognize that students’ legal statuses may evolve, and that changes in work authorization or other related factors can impact their academic and professional paths. Our goal is to assist students in navigating these complexities with dignity and respect, offering tailored support, as needed, to ensure that every student can pursue their educational and career aspirations.

Ways to Build Experience

The most effective way to prepare for life after graduation is by engaging in experiences that help you develop workplace-relevant skills. Whether paid or unpaid, it’s important to choose opportunities that align with your career goals and allow you to explore your interests.

Skill-building opportunities can include, but aren’t limited to:

• Meeting with an Expert or Executive in Residence (EIR) career mentor to start exploring career pathways
• Exploring NEBO fellowship opportunities through the Office of Career Programs and Employer Relations
• Volunteering or participating in community organizing (Idealist is a useful resource)
• Pursuing academic projects as part of your coursework
• Exploring NEBO fellowship opportunities, such as tutoring or non-work study positions, on campus
• Getting involved in student organizations at Dominican University

Non-Employment Based Opportunity (NEBO) Fellowships:

You will sharpen your leadership and professional skills by completing a project of interest under the supervision of a faculty or staff mentor. You and a mentor of your choice will collaborate on the creation of a special project to advance your field and educational knowledge. Projects may involve presentations, research, interpersonal skill development, soft and hard skill development, as well as reflection activities and journals.     

This program will provide you with the tools and resources necessary to gain professional skills and leadership experience while on campus. A NEBO Fellowship ensures that a student benefits from a project and an experience, rather than the sponsoring department. Several NEBO Fellowships exist on campus, including opportunities for students to design a project with the assistance of a NEBO mentor. All NEBO Fellowships include learning goals and objectives that help students develop academic and professional skills.

Students need to be enrolled in DU as part-time or full-time students to be eligible for NEBOs as the funding is awarded as aid. NEBOs should be in a field that is related to their major or career interest. Students may or may not need to enroll in a course directly related to their NEBO; course enrollment depends on the project and staff or faculty member who is supervising the NEBO.

NEBOs are open to all students, including visa holders, lawful permanent residents, and US citizens.

Sharing Status

Deciding when and with whom to disclose your status can be both confusing and stressful. While it’s important to be honest and authentic during your academic and professional development process, the choice to share your status is entirely up to you. If you’re unsure about how or when to disclose, consider speaking with a staff member for guidance on navigating this decision at various stages of your professional development process.

You might choose to reveal your status early in the professional opportunity search process or during an interview if you feel comfortable and want to initiate a conversation about next steps. Consider carefully whom you’d prefer to disclose to, whether it’s a recruiter, a potential supervisor, or another party. The context in which you share your status is also important, such as in a graduate school personal statement versus during an interview. If you’re uncertain about the best approach, meet with an EIR or someone from the Career Programs Office, who can provide valuable support during these challenging situations.

Resources