International Alumni Spotlight Series

Find out how these four international alumni navigated the graduate school and job search process to land their current jobs and academic roles. In our International Alumni Spotlight Series we asked alumni questions on navigating college as an international student, major turning points in their career, overcoming identity specific challenges, and recruitment tips they wish they knew before graduating.

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Tianling Wan

Hi! My name is Tianling Wan. I’m originally from China and I graduated from Binghamton University in 2023 with a major in Linguistics and a minor in Education. I’m currently pursuing a PhD focused on language education after completing my Master’s degree in Sociolinguistics.

1) What specific steps or strategies helped you go from being a new international student to achieving the success you have today? Any tips you would like to share with international students?

When I first came to Binghamton, one of the biggest challenges was realizing that the English I learned in textbooks did not always match how people actually communicate in daily life. Instead of isolating myself, I made a conscious effort to put myself into social environments and campus activities. I challenged myself to attend at least one extracurricular event every week, whether it was club meetings, residence hall events, Late Nite programs, or volunteering opportunities like International Student Orientation, Open House, and TEDx Binghamton.

Those experiences helped me improve my communication skills, build friendships, and become more confident in unfamiliar environments. Looking back, consistently getting involved was one of the most impactful decisions I made. My biggest advice to international students is to step outside your comfort zone early. Small, consistent efforts truly add up over time.

2) When things felt uncertain or overwhelming, what helped you stay grounded, and what should students remember in those moments?

Whenever things felt overwhelming, reflection helped me stay grounded. I have a habit of documenting my journey by taking photos of my notes, assignments, and even test papers. Looking back at them reminds me of how hard I’ve worked and how far I’ve come.

I think one important thing students should remember is that growth often feels uncomfortable while it’s happening. Sometimes we become so focused on the mountains ahead of us that we forget the mountains we already climbed were just as tall. Uncertainty is a normal part of growth, and it does not mean you are failing. It simply means you are learning and evolving.

3) How did you navigate your path after receiving your undergraduate degree? What should students know about building a career in academia or research?

I always knew I wanted to pursue academia, so during my senior year I started preparing early for the next step. I regularly used campus resources like the Fleishman Center to improve my CV and worked with the Writing Center on academic writing and application materials. Those small but consistent efforts helped me build a strong foundation for graduate school.

For students interested in academia or research, my advice is to seek mentorship, stay proactive, and take advantage of every opportunity available to you. Building a career in academia is a gradual process, and it’s completely okay not to have everything figured out right away. What matters most is staying curious, open to learning, and willing to keep showing up even when the process feels challenging.

Chetas Mehta

Hi! My name is Chetas Mehta. I’m originally from Gujarat, India, and I currently work as a Software Engineer at Oracle Health & AI. I completed my Master’s in Computer Science at SUNY Binghamton from 2014 to 2016 after earning my undergraduate degree in Computer Science and Engineering in India. Over the years, my journey has taken me through multiple roles in the tech industry, eventually leading me to work in healthcare technology and AI.

1) What specific steps or strategies helped you go from being a new international student to achieving the success you have today? Any tips you would like to share with international students?

One thing I learned very quickly is that the transition to life in the U.S. is harder than most people expect. As international students, we are adjusting to a new country, academic system, culture, and career environment all at once. For me, one of the biggest mindset shifts was treating my coursework as career preparation rather than just academics. I intentionally chose courses that aligned with where the industry was heading so that the skills I developed in class would directly help me in the job market later.

Another thing that made a huge difference was building relationships early. Office hours, study groups, and project collaborations were not just academic activities — they became opportunities to build a professional network and learn from others around me. I also made it a priority to keep building projects outside the classroom because personal projects gave me real stories and experiences to talk about during interviews.

I would also encourage international students to understand the U.S. professional culture as early as possible. Things like communication styles, resume formats, networking, and interview expectations can be very different from what we are used to back home. The earlier you start adapting, the smoother your transition becomes.

2) When things felt uncertain or overwhelming, what helped you stay grounded, and what should students remember in those moments?

There were definitely moments when things felt overwhelming. Between grades, job applications, and visa timelines, it can sometimes feel like every decision carries enormous pressure.

What helped me most was learning to zoom out and focus on the bigger picture. When you are in the middle of a difficult semester or facing rejection, it can feel like everything is falling apart. But careers are built over years, not over one bad day, one interview, or one setback. What matters most is whether you continue showing up and putting in consistent effort.

Having a strong support system also helped tremendously. Being around friends and classmates who understood the international student experience made the journey feel less isolating. I also reminded myself why I came to the U.S. in the first place. Leaving home to pursue higher education is a bold decision, and remembering that purpose helped me stay grounded during difficult moments.

Most importantly, I learned that taking care of yourself matters. Burnout does not make you more productive. Sustainable effort, consistency, and balance will always take you further in the long run.

3) How did you navigate the job search as an international student, and what specific strategies helped you land your current role?

One of the most important things I did was understand the visa process early. Knowing the timelines for CPT and OPT, understanding restrictions, and planning ahead helped me avoid unnecessary stress later. I also started networking and applying for opportunities much earlier than I initially thought I needed to.

CPT internships and practical experiences became incredibly valuable because they gave me U.S. work experience before graduation. That experience made employers much more comfortable hiring me full-time later. I also focused my applications strategically toward companies that had experience hiring international students instead of applying randomly everywhere.

Another thing that helped was leveraging the Binghamton alumni network. Reaching out to alumni for advice, guidance, and mentorship opened doors and gave me insight into industries and opportunities I would not have discovered on my own.

My career journey eventually took me from my first software developer role in Michigan to Cerner Corporation, and later to Oracle after the acquisition. Each role became a stepping stone that helped me grow both technically and professionally. One thing I always tell students is that your first job does not need to be your dream job. It needs to be a strong starting point that helps you gain experience and continue building toward your goals.

Dr. Deberati Roy

Hi! My name is Dr. Debarati Roy. I am currently a Postdoctoral Fellow in Experiential Learning at the Pathways Center at Emory University, where I lead cohort-based programs and internship courses. I completed my undergraduate and master’s degrees at the University of Calcutta in India and later earned my PhD in English from Binghamton University, focusing on film and media studies. During my time at Binghamton, I also taught undergraduate and adult learners, and my work has centered around cross-cultural learning, teaching, and community engagement.

1) What specific steps or strategies helped you go from being a new international student to achieving the success you have today? Any tips you would like to share with international students?

One of the biggest things that helped me throughout grad school was building meaningful relationships and learning how to navigate systems and resources available on campus. I’m incredibly grateful for the people I met at Binghamton — people who challenged me, encouraged me, and helped me grow both academically and personally.

Building friendships with students across departments gave me new perspectives on how others were navigating grad school, internships, and career planning. Even attending small events, orientations, or information sessions during busy weeks helped me stay connected to the community around me. Over time, I also learned the importance of balancing opportunities — understanding when to say yes, when to say no, and when simply trying something new could lead to growth.

Career exploration also played a major role in my journey. Meeting with career coaches at the Fleishman Center, even for something as simple as a CV review, opened up larger conversations about possibilities and directions I had not considered before. Starting those conversations early helped me better understand expectations and opportunities available to me.

Another important lesson was learning how to approach feedback constructively. Not all feedback feels encouraging at first, but I learned to focus on feedback that pointed toward action and improvement. Asking questions like “What would make this stronger?” helped me grow both as a student and as an educator. Over time, acting on feedback and continuing those conversations built both confidence and trust.

2) When things felt uncertain or overwhelming, what helped you stay grounded?

What helped me most during overwhelming moments was trying to understand exactly what was causing the stress instead of avoiding it. Conversations became very important to me during those times. I realized how valuable it is to have a few people you can genuinely talk to — and also how meaningful it is to be that person for others as well.

For example, public speaking was something I always felt hesitant about. But when I had to teach Oral Communication courses, I reached out to the Speaking Center and to peers who had taught the course before me. Some generously shared materials and advice, and those conversations helped me walk into the classroom with more confidence and a belief that I could succeed. Eventually, teaching those courses became one of the most rewarding parts of my experience, not only because of student feedback, but because it changed the way I thought about collaboration, mentorship, and peer support.

The job search process also brought moments of uncertainty. Sometimes you hear discouraging comments, while other times people reassure you that opportunities will come with time. I learned that both perspectives can teach us something. One pushes us to reflect and improve strategically, while the other reminds us to stay hopeful and patient. Balancing both helped me continue applying, interviewing, and trusting the process.

3) How did you navigate your path after grad school, and what should students know about building a career in academia or research?

One thing I learned early was the importance of understanding the job market before graduation. Even during coursework, I started thinking about the kinds of skills I was building and how I would later communicate those experiences in interviews, applications, and professional conversations.

Relationships and mentorship made an enormous difference in my journey. I was fortunate to have mentors and advisors who encouraged me to explore courses across departments, connect with faculty members, and engage with career resources more broadly. As an international student especially, having supportive mentors who understood both the academic and administrative sides of the journey was incredibly valuable.

Informational conversations also helped me a lot. Instead of approaching networking only as a way to ask for referrals, I focused on genuinely learning about people’s work, experiences, and career paths. Those conversations often became much more meaningful and naturally led to stronger professional relationships.

One important lesson I would share with students is to remain open to opportunities that may not perfectly match the original plan you had in mind. Careers are rarely linear, and sometimes the most meaningful experiences come from combining different interests and strengths in unexpected ways.

Venkatnaryan G.

Hi! My name is Venkatnarayan. I am currently a software engineer at Amazon building production AI agent infrastructure. I was a graduate student at Binghamton University starting in August of 2023 pursuing my Masters degree in Computer Science.

Growing up with the Internet Venkat wanted to know how these devices communicate so fast across the globe within seconds and that curiosity was what drove him towards computer science. Beyond just using technologies like Cloud, AI, or other emerging technologies he actually wanted to understand and eventually build them himself. Below is his story explaining how he transitioned from a graduate student to full-time employee at Amazon.

I want to thank Saloni Nepal (MBA, 2026) for her contributions to the International Alumni Spotlight Series.

Career Support & Sources:

As you explore this resource, we encourage you to take advantage of everything available to support your career journey. Below, you’ll find the sources and contributors that made this guide possible, multiple ways to connect with our office for personalized career support, and some important reminders to keep in mind as you plan your strategy. Be sure to check them out, and remember, our team is always here to help you move forward with confidence and clarity.