Professional Development Resources for Undocumented Students

Explore the curated resources on this page designed to empower undocumented students on their academic and professional journey. Discover information related to state policies on professional and occupational licensing, background checks, generating income options, building your resume, and more. Be sure to check back regularly for additional resources.

Policies

• Professional and Occupational Licensing 

  • • State Policies on Work Force Entry and Eligibility - Higher Ed Immigration Portal. 

    • Pursuing Nursing: Q&A for Undocumented Students in California - Pre Health Dreamers (Download [pdf])

• Background Checks for Undocumented Students 

  • • Frequently Asked Questions: California Department of Justice (DOJ) Background Checks and Undocumented Students in California Higher Education (Download [pdf])

    •  LiveScan Services - SJSU University Police Department

• Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) and Taxes 

  • • ITIN Guide by Immigrants Rising

    • ITIN FAQs and Handouts - Dream.US

    • Tax Matters: Frequently Asked Questions - Dream.US (Download [pdf])

• Employment Rights

  • • Employment Rights of Undocumented Workers (Download PDF)

    • DACA Workers’ Rights Guide (Download PDF)

    • Workers With Temporary Protected Status Protect Your Right To Work (Download PDF)

    • Legal Aid at Work offers low-income and unemployed people with free, confidential information about their legal rights related to employment in California. 

Generating Income Options 

• Entrepreneurship (Working for Yourself) 

  • • Silicon Valley Center for Entrepreneurship offers programs and opportunities to help SJSU students develop their entrepreneurial skills. Programs include: Certificate in Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Silicon Valley Business Plan Competition, The Silicon Valley Innovation Challenge, and more.

    • Career Pathways for Undocumented Students With and Without Work Authorization: Income Generation 

    • Income Generation Options for Undocumented Students -Toolkit (Download [pdf])

    • Making Money by Immigrants Rising

    • Entrepreneurship Resources from Dream.US

    • Venturize: Learn about loans, retirement and healthcare for small business. 

    • 5 Reasons Undocumented Immigrants Should Go Into Tech - Informed Immigrant

• Beyond DACA

  • Undocumented students are encouraged to consult with an accredited legal service provider to understand their immigration options beyond DACA. The information in this section offers guidance on where students can go  to seek support, along with an overview of the different pathways toward immigration relief.

    • SJSU students and their families can receive FREE immigration support through the CSU Legal Services. Visit our web page to schedule an appointment with an immigration attorney.  

    Explainers

    • Beyond DACA: Immigration Options Every Undocumented Person Should Know (Download PDF)

    • Getting a PERM; An Employment-based Green Card  - Presented by Immigrants Rising (Mar. 23, 2023 – Recording)

    • Immigration Preparedness Toolkit - Immigrant Legal Resource Center (Download PDF)

Build Experience

• Service Learning/ Community Service

  • • Some majors may require that students complete service hours as part of their graduation requirements. Depending on the department, some faculty may provide options that do not require background checks and/ or work authorization. In the case that a student is not able to meet the service learning requirements (SSN, background checks, travel, etc), we encourage them to consult with the program advisor or to reach out to the USRC to learn more about their alternative options.

    For information on background checks, professional licensing requirements (ex. completing clinical hours) go to the State Policies section above. 

    • Dream Service Incentive Grant (undergraduates only): Eligible undocumented students with a CA Dream Act can receive an additional grant for volunteering at a non-profit organization. Visit the CA Student Aid Commission website to learn more about the eligibility requirements and how to apply. SSN is not required. 

    • The Center for Community Learning & Leadership offers opportunities for students looking to engage in curricular service learning and community engagement experiences at SJSU.

• Fellowships and Internships 

  • Many fellowship and internship opportunities provide a living allowance or scholarship to students that participate, regardless of their immigration status. Generally, fellowships focus on professional development over a short period, and are sponsored by specific organizations. Paid fellowships can also be found throughout institutions of higher education and they are a great path for undocumented scholars to gain professional development experience while getting paid. 

    Explore fellowships and internships available to undocumented students, many of which do not require work authorization.

    On-Campus Opportunities:

    • Next Generation Campus Community Fellowship Program - Cesar Chavez Community Action Center
    • Sembradores - Cesar Chavez Community Action Center
    • SJSU College Corps - Center for Community Leadership and Learning 
    • Graduate Equity Fellowship- College of Graduate Studies
    • Steinbeck Fellowship Program - College of the Humanities and Arts.

    Off- Campus Opportunities:

    • UCLA Dream Fellowship- National summer program
    • Elevate Tutoring -Local Fellowship
    • DreamSF Fellowship - San Francisco Office of Civic Engagement & Immigrant Affairs. 
    • New American Fellowship - Santa Clara County Office of Immigrant Relations
    • Pre-Law Bootcamp- Immigrants Rising
    • Mental Health Career Program - Immigrants Rising
    • Home is Here Opportunity Program - Immigrants Rising, United We Dream

• Academic Research

  • • Research Programs Open to Undocumented Students - REU Finder

    • Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) - SJSU Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    • Student Opportunities - Division of Research and Innovation

    • Graduate Research Fellowships - Biological Sciences

• Building Your Skills

  • • Digital Tools - SJSU Career Center: Find information about programs that help you build your skills through online training that align with your career interests. Tools include LinkedIn Learning, Lightcast Skill Match, and more. 

    • MLK Library Technology Training Center: Learn how to use software programs such as Adobe, Microsoft Office, iMovies, 3D printing and Vinyl cutting.

    • Undergraduate courses: UNVS 101 - Leadership and Career Accelerator (BRAVEN)

Networking

• Professional Networks

  • • Dreamers in Tech: Join the network of undocumented  & DACAmented students, professionals, and allies in tech.

    • Pre-Health Dreamers (PHD) provides information and peer support to undocumented students who are seeking a  graduate level education in disciplines including, but not limited to: medicine, dentistry, nursing, public health, and scientific research.

    • UndocuFilmmakers Collective centers the film expertise of undocumented people not only as sources of stories but also as creators, artists, and primary audiences.

    • UndocuProfessionals is a national community for and by the undocumented communities in all career fields.

• Career Mentorship Opportunities

  • • SJSU Mentoring & Meetups: The SJSU Career Center offers an online campus mentoring platform that serves to connect students with alumni and other professionals to help students along their career journey.

    • UndocuProfessionals Mentorship Program: This mentoring program provides  aspiring professionals that happen to be undocumented with an opportunity to connect with passionate mentors to learn about their higher education journey and experiences transitioning to a professional.

    • Peer Engagement Enrichment Program (PEEP) from Pre-Health Dreamers is a graduate pipeline program for undocumented students pursuing health professions. To learn about their application process and deadlines, visit their website. 

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• Student Organizations

  • Joining student organizations offers opportunities for networking and professional development. Groups can connect you with peers, alumni, and industry professionals, fostering relationships that can lead to internships, job offers, and mentorship. Engaging in organization activities hones your leadership, teamwork, and communication skills, while also providing a platform to apply classroom knowledge in real-world scenarios. Additionally, student organizations often host events, workshops, and guest speakers, keeping you informed about industry trends and career paths.

    To learn about how you can get involved on campus, visit the SJSU Student Involvement website. 

Career Services at SJSU

The Career Center prepares students for life after college by offering career-readiness education through individual and group sessions, real-time and on-demand interactions, and connecting students to opportunities through employer and alumni networks. Undocumented students can benefit from the Center's personalized career counseling, access to inclusive employers, and skill-building workshops, which help them navigate unique challenges, build professional networks, and enhance their long-term career prospects.  Students are encouraged to utilize the Career Center's resources, including the UndocuSpartan Career Guide.