Amir Foysal, an international student at UWM from Bangladesh, had a career goal: to find a position that blended business and technology. But he was struggling to find job titles that fit what he was looking for.
“I was trying to find the sweet spot, where I would be the bridge between business side and the technology side as well,” he said. “For a while, I didn’t know about any roles that will allow me to be in that position.”
Conversations with career advisors from the Center for Student Experience and Talent at UWM taught him how to look deeper at position descriptions in a variety of environments and industries to understand better how they might align with his interests.
That led him in the right direction. With that help, along with his determination and perseverance, Foysal graduated from UWM in May 2024 with an MBA and a certificate in business analytics and landed a full-time position at Kohler as a product manager.
Help from SET
The Center for Student Experience and Talent (SET) has nine career communities, and the Business and Communications community is known for hosting Coffee & Donuts events with employers in Lubar Hall to provide students with opportunities to network with local employers.
Foysal attended a Coffee & Donuts networking event with Kohler. Company representatives encouraged him to apply for an internship at Kohler, but with his graduation fast approaching, he wouldn’t be eligible. Instead of moving on, Foysal stayed connected with them on LinkedIn and grew his network.
Later, Foysal’s contacts at Kohler let him know a full-time position had opened and encouraged him to apply. He did, and then went through the interview process and accepted the position.
“I thought I’d get the internship and that didn’t happen, and then a new role opened and I’m pretty thankful how it ended up,” Foysal said. “I like to believe everything happens for a reason.”
Business and technology
As a product manager on the data and analytics team, Foysal is interacting with business and technology through data products.
“We work with the business side and try to understand their pain points and how they leverage data and analytics to drive up the business, growth, value, and the way they reach customers.”
Foysal uses leadership skills he gained at UWM from serving as a teaching assistant, Lubar senator, general secretary of Bangladesh Student Association, and on-campus employee at the UWM Children’s Center.
“Organizations at UWM can really support you to grow as a leader, and you can contribute to society in so many positive ways,” Foysal said.
For current international students, Foysal hopes more resources become available to them and their potential employers. “There is crucial information that many companies don’t know, and (some are) hesitant to hire due to visa complication any international students for internships or full-time roles.”
Foysal mentioned the importance of the STEM-Designated Degree Program. SET is working with campus partners to ensure employers and students are provided crucial information about hiring international students.
