Undocumented/DACA/DREAMers

Our resources and services are available to all undocumented and/or DREAMer identifying students (with or without DACA). You are not alone in your career design journey. Here are some tools and resources you can use, but don’t hesitate to reach out for support by participating in coaching groups and the career studio – where your questions can be answered and tailored resources provided! RSVP to attend coaching labs here.

Gain Experiences Outside The Classroom 

One of the best ways to build your resume for your future career is by participating in internships, mentorships, career site visits, volunteering opportunities, research with a faculty member, shadowing experiences (“Intern for a Day”), community organizing, and taking a leadership role in a student organization. 

To learn about where you can start looking to gain experiences, check out our coaching labs, such as Finding Internships or Designing Your Career. RSVP to attend coaching labs here. 

Find your Network of Support 

Use your existing network and gain connections. This network can include friends, relatives, faculty, staff, and NU alumni. Use the LinkedIn alumni search tool to connect with alumni in fields of interest to learn more about opportunities in those areas. More than 80% of jobs are found through networking and it can be helpful to talk with working professionals who may have stories similar to your own. 

Join a Fellowship

• List of Undergraduate Fellowships – Immigrants Rising’s List of Undergraduate Fellowships contains fellowships that undocumented high school and undergraduate students can apply.  
• List of Graduate Fellowships – Immigrants Rising’s List of Graduate Fellowships contains fellowships that undocumented graduate and post-graduate students can apply. 

Graduate School  

Undocumented/DREAMers (with or without DACA) can pursue graduate school! Many graduate school programs offer funding to help with costs through scholarships and/or research fellowships/assistantships. Check out this blog to listen to personal testimonies on navigating graduate school and a list of scholarships open to undocumented learners below in the Career Resources section. 

Law School

The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) will waive the LSAT fee if you have DACA and apply for a fee waiver.

Employer Engagement and Career Design partners with the following offices on campus to provide support for students and alumni with underrepresented racial, cultural, and/or ethnic identities to develop and achieve your career goals:

• Center for Intercultural Engagement
• Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion
• Social Justice Resource Center 

Check out the main Diversity & Inclusion Resources page to find more resources.

Professional associations are a great way to make connections, look for jobs, and further your own professional development. These groups unite and inform people who work in the same industry or profession. There are many advantages to joining associations such as networking opportunities, conferences and forums, and job fairs. 

Career Tip: If you cannot find a professional association opportunity that fits with your industry/profession below, conduct a web search to look up “Professional Association” along with your industry/profession title. You can also network with professionals to learn about opportunities within your specific industry/profession. 

Law

• DREAM Bar Association (DBA) – The DBA provides a network for undocumented immigrants who are interested in pursuing a career in law, are pursuing a career in law, or are practicing in this field. 

Healthcare

• Pre-Health Dreamers – A network created by and for undocumented students pursuing careers in science and health. Includes National Financial Aid and Internship resources. 

PhD

• UndocuPhDs – A collective of undocumented students interested in academia and undocumented students who are currently on their journey in a doctoral program. They use the term “UndocuPhDs” to define their work as researchers, community leaders, and advocates for the undocumented community.

UndocuAPI 

• Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA) – APALA is dedicated to promoting political education and voter registration programs among AAPIs, and to the training, empowerment, and leadership of AAPIs within the labor movement and APA community. 
• Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC) – ​EPIC is a national organization based in Los Angeles and was established in 2009 by a group of young Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) leaders who recognized the urgency to address the growing needs of NHPI families. 
• Korean Resource Center (KRC) – The KRC is a non-profit community organization empowering low-income, immigrants, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and people of color communities in Southern California. Using a holistic approach, we integrate services, education, culture, organizing, and coalition building.
• National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) – NAKASEC’s programs and campaigns are centered around Immigrant Rights, Civic Engagement, Youth Leadership Development, and Community Services. Provides scholarship opportunities for undocumented students and COVID19 resources. 
• South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) – SAALT is a nation­al, non­par­ti­san, non-prof­it orga­ni­za­tion that fights for racial jus­tice and advo­cates for the civ­il rights of all South Asians in the Unit­ed States. 

UndocuBlack

• UndocuBlack Network – A network dedicated to the empowerment and advancement of undocumented black individuals.

Career resources and support for students among Undocumented & DACA identities:  

• Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) – A national nonprofit resource center that provides educational materials, DACA resources, and more. 
• Immigrants Rising – Immigrants Rising provides resources, knowledge, and financial support for immigrant entrepreneurs, regardless of legal status, at any stage of their journey. Resources include scholarships, career options for undocumented students, undergraduate & graduate fellowships, and more. 
• Informed Immigrant – Provides information about Know Your Rights, DACA, and coronavirus-related resources including assistance hotlines, food, and health access. 
• List of Undergraduate Scholarships – Immigrant Rising’s List of Undergraduate Scholarships contains scholarships for undergraduate studies that don’t require proof of citizenship or legal permanent residency. 
• Life After College: A Guide for Undocumented Students – The guide includes personal narratives, student testimonials, and advice from experts. 
• My Undocumented Life – Provides up-to-date information, scholarship opportunities, strategies for navigating the educational system, information on how to apply for DACA, news on immigration policies, and much more.
• Navigating Graduate School: Guide for Undocumented Students – Mostly tailored for those without DACA.
• #Undocuhustle – The #UndocuHustle refers to the entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of the immigrant experience. Learn how to leverage your skills, knowledge and experience to generate income through contracting or business start-up opportunities.
• UndocuHustle film – Introduces students to entrepreneurship opportunities available to them regardless of immigration status.
• UnitedWeDream – United We Dream is committed to providing our community with reliable information and useful tools. Here, you’ll find a resource hub with blogs, toolkits, reports, education, training, and much more. 
• 5 Tips to Get Started as Freelancer/Independent Contractor – A deeper dive of the process to become a freelancer or contractor. 
• Additional career resources can be found on the Diversity & Inclusion Resources page.

Because we learn from experience, you can’t just think your way to a fulfilling career: you need to test things out. 

Career Tip: If you cannot find a professional development opportunity that fits with your industry/profession below, conduct a web search to look up “Professional Association” along with your industry/profession title. You can also network with professionals to learn about opportunities within your specific industry/profession. 

• List of Undergraduate Fellowships – Immigrants Rising’s List of Undergraduate Fellowships contains fellowships that undocumented high school and undergraduate students can apply.  
• List of Graduate Fellowships – Immigrants Rising’s List of Graduate Fellowships contains fellowships that undocumented graduate and post-graduate students can apply. 
• Choose a professional association and sign up to attend their upcoming events

Check out NUworks posts co-op, internship, and job listings.