Welcome back to the Global Alumni Spotlight Series, where we feature early‑career alumni building careers across borders. In this installment, Laura Hohenberger, M.P.P. ’24, shares how she landed her first full‑time job in the United States as an international student.
Degree: Master of Public Policy ’24
Current Role: Data Analytics and Policy Senior Associate, Lafayette Square Institute
What was your first job in the U.S., and how did you get the role?
Associate, Data Analytics and Policy at a non-profit. I got the job through ‘cold’ applying. A classmate had shared the job posting in a Slack channel.
What surprised you most about the job search, visa or work authorization process?
That I was able to get a job with many applicants despite being an international without STEM OPT.
What’s one thing you would do differently if you were starting your career in the U.S. again?
Having received a job offer, I would have been more confident in the value I can provide for an employer.
