I was recently a panelist for GUS Academy on a discussion titled “USA In Focus: Career Opportunities,” exploring why the United States remains the premier destination for global talent. While many focus solely on the classroom, our conversation—featuring Patti Bevans (Syracuse University), Sean Ferguson (Bentley University), Kahzah Mims (Pepperdine University), and Karan Shah (Syracuse Alum)—unpacked the “wrap-around” infrastructure that transforms a degree into a career. Here are the major takeaways.
The Engine of Experience—The Strategic Value of CPT and OPT
A U.S. education is not a static four-year stint; it is a sophisticated “dual-track” of learning and doing. The conversation focused heavily on the legal mechanisms that allow students to enter the workforce early. Patti Bevans, Director of Career Services at Syracuse University’s iSchool, emphasized that Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is intended for work experience that is “integral to the curriculum”. She noted that these authorizations are the professional engines of the American degree, allowing students to bridge the gap between theory and the physical workplace while still enrolled.
The panel highlighted that the U.S. is unique in how it codifies this journey. While CPT handles the “during,” Optional Practical Training (OPT) acts as the “professional launchpad after” graduation. For those in STEM fields, this launchpad is extended to a productive 36 months. At Pepperdine University, Kahzah Mims (Director of Career Advancement) noted that this isn’t just about “getting a job”—it’s about students who “really want to do good, not just do well,” using their work authorization to become indispensable assets in the U.S. market. This technical wrap-around ensures the legal right to work is a feature, not a hurdle, of their education experience.
Part 2: The Ecosystem of Industry—Partnerships and “Day-One” Readiness
The discussion then shifted to how university partners—from Silicon Valley tech giants to global financial hubs—actively co-author the student experience. Sean Ferguson, VP for Strategy and Innovation at Bentley University, observed that successful universities act as a bridge. At Bentley, this translates to over 60 career-focused programs annually and direct pipelines to employers like KPMG, EY, and Dell. This ecosystem ensures that the transition from student to employee is a “warm handoff.”
Patti Bevans highlighted that Syracuse University facilitates this through the iConsult Collaborative, where students work on client-facing projects with corporate partners like Lockheed Martin and SAAB. The goal across all three institutions is to produce a “day-one ready” professional. As Kahzah Mims discussed regarding Pepperdine’s approach, programs like the Bryant Stibel Internship Program give students hands-on experience with private equity firms before they even walk across the graduation stage. By the time an international student reaches their final year, they have ideally cycled through multiple partner-led projects, proving their value to the very companies looking to hire.
The Global Vision—Building a Career Vocabulary
Finally, we addressed the “why” behind the “what.” Karan Shah, a Syracuse Alum (M.S. in Applied Data Science), offered the most poignant perspective on the long-term ROI. Reflecting on his journey, Karan stated, “Syracuse University provided me with opportunities to apply the skills learned in the classroom to real-world challenges… effectively aligning business problems with technical solutions”. He argued that a U.S. degree provides more than just a job; it provides a “career vocabulary” that creates compound interest on your professional identity.
This vision of longevity is the ultimate “wrap-around” service. With 80% of U.S. job offers coming through networking, the panel urged students to leverage every school resource—from alumni groups to career fairs. Whether it is using Bentley’s Trading Room, Syracuse’s Center for Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing, or Pepperdine’s Graziadio Business School network, the goal is to build “global resilience”. As the panel concluded, we are preparing students for a world where they will change jobs frequently, but their “career vocabulary” will remain constant, allowing them to lead anywhere in the world.
Thank you to Patti, Sean, Kahzah, and Karan for offering such a clear and inspiring vision of the “wrap-around” American education. It leaves me wondering: With all the noise surrounding U.S. immigration policies, it remains clear that these university partners do not just take the learning aspect into account, but the full suite of “wrap-around” services. Students do not choose the USA simply because of our great universities, but for the transformative opportunities that CPT and OPT bring. The true ROI of a U.S. education is the unique ability to work, lead, and innovate within the world’s most dynamic economy.