On this page, we cover opportunities and resources for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and undocumented professionals, how to approach your citizenship in the job and internship application process and the rights you have.
Gauging Professional Options
As a DACA or undocumented student, there are several aspects to keep in mind when pursuing professional opportunities, including:
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DACA recipients are eligible to work paid internships and other employment opportunities but are not eligible for federal work-study
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Undocumented students without DACA are eligible to participate in unpaid internships and job shadowing
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Neither DACA nor undocumented students are required to disclose their status to the university system or faculty/staff
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Each state varies in barriers and opportunities for undocumented students — make sure to research the state’s law for professional opportunities
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Scholarships and fellowships can award financial assistance in order to offset the financial stress of unpaid internships or job-shadowing opportunities
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Build your resume experience as much as possible before graduation in order to better assess future career options
Reflection Questions
As you're exploring different professional opportunities, reflect on what is most important to you from your career prospects. You may consider reflecting on questions such as:
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Is this internship unpaid? Can I work an unpaid internship or job-shadowing opportunity given the lack of financial assistance?
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If graduate school is a career prospect, what are my goals for my post-graduate career? Do I want to stay in the U.S. or possibly work abroad?
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Are there any immigration non-profit organizations, programs or resources that can help my situation in order to work legally in the U.S. after graduation, including applying for DACA?
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Other than citizenship status, are there other factors that can influence my decision to stay and work in the U.S.?
Assessing Professional Opportunities
It is important to remember that citizenship status won't completely make someone unable to pursue their goals and professional interests, so it's important to reflect on your individual career prospects and circumstances. You may consider different factors such as job field, state of residence, eligibility to potentially acquire citizenship down the road and financial matters.
During the Interview
DACA students who are planning to interview should keep in mind that an employer is not legally allowed to ask you about your citizenship status. If asked about citizenship status, you may reply that you're eligible to be employed. Getting an interview means you were selected from a competitive pool of applicants based on your qualifications so remember to stay positive and focus on the skills you bring to the position.
Alternative Employment Opportunities
Without DACA or another form of protected status, undocumented students still have certain professional opportunities available to them. Below are some to consider:
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Independent contracting or freelancing
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Starting a business through entrepreneurship and capital; considering cooperative ownership
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Fellowship programs and opportunities through campus and different organizations
Resources
Entrepreneurship & Income Resources
UT Austin Resources
- First-Gen Longhorns - To create a community on campus for first-generation students by providing them with a multi-tiered support network and an immersive layering of academic, social and professional experiences, workshops, resources and events.
Scholarships
- Immigrants Rising List of Scholarships and Fellowships - List of scholarships and fellowships that don’t require proof of U.S. citizenship
- Scholarships Open to Undocumented Students - My Undocumented Life blog lists updated and recent scholarships for undocumented students
- Scholarships For Undocumented Students - List of general scholarships for undocumented students
Organizations & Additional Resources
- ACLU’s Know Your Rights | Immigrants' Rights
- California’s Employment Rights of Undocumented Workers
- Immigrants Rising: Transforming Lives Through Education - Empowers undocumented young people to achieve educational and career goals through personal, institutional and policy transformation.
- Life After College: A Guide For Undocumented Students - Immigrants Rising comprehensive guide including information about going to graduate school, applying to professional schools, getting internships, earning a living, going abroad, staying motivated and other resources.
- United We Dream - United We Dream is the largest immigrant youth-led community in the country that creates welcoming spaces for young people — regardless of immigration status — to support, engage, and empower them.
- Presidents' Alliance Dream Toolkit - Geared for college and university campuses, including students, faculty, and staff to share resources and opportunities for advocacy on behalf of Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) holders in Congress.
- Pre-Health Dreamers - Pre-Health Dreamers (PHD) is a rapidly growing network and community of over 1000 health career bound undocumented students, and their allies, across the United States, representing various career interests. PHD investigates and shares information on career pathways for pre-health undocumented students as well as advocates for more progressive institutional and governmental policies for undocumented students.
Questions?
For specific information regarding your individual professional goals, please make an appointment with CNS Career Services.