International Student FAQs

Throughout the year, you will encounter many new terms—both from your coursework and the job search process. Below is a list of commonly used terms and jargon that will help you navigate your experience with the Carlson Business Career Center (CBCC).

Affinity Fair(s) – National recruiting events held each fall that focus on specific student populations (primarily MBA students). The three most prominent at Carlson are National Black, ROMBA (for LGBTQIA+ students), and MBA Veterans. Each fair has a dedicated CBCC coach who supports students attending these events.

Career Coach – A dedicated member of the CBCC team who supports and guides graduate students. Coaches help you navigate your career path and achieve your post-graduation goals. Through regular meetings and ongoing communication, you will work closely with your coach to develop personalized strategies and make progress in your job search.

CBCC – Carlson Business Career Center. You will hear this acronym often—it’s simply a shorter way to refer to the career center.

Coffee Chat (also known as an informational interview, one-on-one, or 1:1) – A networking conversation with a Carlson alum, hiring leader, or personal contact. Typically 20–30 minutes long, the goal is to learn more about someone’s role, company, or career path. Students often have many of these conversations early in the program—it’s common to have several each week.

Core School – A term used in recruiting to describe universities that a company prioritizes for hiring. These companies typically have strong relationships with a select group of schools and focus their recruiting efforts there. Example: “Land O’Lakes’ core schools are Darden, Ross, and Carlson.” and "Minnesota Carlson is a core school of Medtronic."

Corporate Reception – A key event that kicks off the recruiting season for a program. Students connect with company representatives in a networking-style format to learn about organizations, roles, and opportunities.

CPT (Curricular Practical Training) – A program that allows international students with an F-1 visa to gain practical experience related to their major through employment, internships, or co-op positions. CPT must be part of an established academic curriculum and completed before graduation.

Direct Hire – When a company hires a student outside of the structured recruiting season. These opportunities may come through the CBCC or through your own networking and are more common in the spring and early summer.

Elevator Pitch – A brief introduction (typically 30–60 seconds) that provides a high-level overview of your background, experience, and career goals. It is commonly used in networking settings or quick introductions.

Employer Relations (ER) Team – The CBCC team responsible for building and managing relationships with employers. While career coaches work directly with students, the ER team partners with recruiters and hiring organizations. Each team member focuses on specific industries and can help you identify companies to target.

Functional Coach (Contract Coach) – Carlson alumni who provide specialized career coaching on a part-time basis. They support areas such as networking, behavioral interviews, and case preparation. Their industry expertise makes them particularly helpful when preparing for specific roles or companies.

GMAT – One of several factors some consulting and investment banking firms may consider during recruiting. Each company weighs this differently. Students who took the GRE can use a conversion tool to estimate a GMAT-equivalent score. Historically, a score of 700 was considered a benchmark, though this is evolving.

H-1B – A U.S. work visa that allows employers to hire international professionals in specialized roles. Many international students rely on this visa after graduation. Because demand exceeds supply, the U.S. government uses a lottery system each year to allocate visas.

Handshake – The primary platform used by the CBCC for job searching and career management. You will use Handshake to apply for jobs, schedule coaching appointments, register for events, and research employers.

Info Session – A session hosted by a company where students can learn about the organization, available roles, and the application process. These sessions typically include a presentation, Q&A, and networking time with company representatives or Carlson alumni.

Interview (Behavioral) – The most common interview format for MBA roles. You will be asked to share examples from your past experience that demonstrate specific skills. Responses are typically structured using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

Interview (Case) – A problem-solving interview format where you analyze a business scenario and propose a solution. Case interviews are most common in consulting but are increasingly used in other fields. A subset of this format is the mini-case, which involves shorter and less complex scenarios.

Interview (Functional/Technical) – Focuses on evaluating your technical skills and role-specific knowledge. These interviews may include assessments or problem-solving exercises. They are common in fields such as finance, analytics, and product management.

Interview (Informational) – See Coffee Chat.

Non-OCR (Non-Carlson Facilitated) – Opportunities that are not directly managed by the CBCC. These roles still target MBA talent but may not have formal recruiting relationships with Carlson. Students are encouraged to pursue these opportunities through job boards, networking, and direct outreach.

OCR (On-Campus Recruiting/Carlson-Facilitated) – Internship and full-time opportunities managed by the CBCC. Recruiting takes place over a “season” and includes events such as info sessions, company visits, applications, and interviews.

OPT (Optional Practical Training) – A program that allows international students with an F-1 visa to work in the U.S. for up to 12 months after completing their degree. Students in STEM-designated programs may be eligible for a 24-month extension.

Peer Coaching (Small Group Peer Coaching) – A CBCC interview practice service where students participate in small groups (typically up to three participants). These sessions allow you to practice behavioral interviews, observe peers, and improve your responses.

Pipeline / Non-Pipeline Internships – Pipeline internships may lead to a full-time offer after graduation (based on performance). Non-pipeline internships are standalone experiences without a direct path to a full-time role. Both provide valuable experience and skill development.

Resume Book – A compiled PDF of student resumes (from Handshake) shared with employers for specific roles. Because these are generated in real time, it is important to keep your resume updated and visible in Handshake.

Resume Drop – Carlson terminology for submitting your resume through Handshake for a job posting.

Site Visit – An event where students visit a company’s office or headquarters to learn more about the organization, meet employees, and experience the company culture firsthand.

Sponsorship – Refers to employers who are willing to hire international students and support the visa process (such as the H-1B). For example: “Amazon sponsors international students.”

STAR Story – A structured way to answer behavioral interview questions. Your response is organized into four parts: Situation, Task, Action, and Result.

M.S. MBA – An MBA program with a STEM designation. This designation allows eligible international students to extend their OPT work authorization beyond 12 months (up to 36 months total, if requirements are met).

TMAY (“Tell Me About Yourself”) – The two-minute opening response in an interview where you summarize your background, experience, and career goals.

(The) Close – The final portion of your interview (typically the last 30–60 seconds), where you reaffirm your interest in the role and highlight why you are a strong fit.