July 15, 2022

When the spring semester ended and he could not travel home to Ukraine, Vladyslav Sazhen needed a job and a way to stay connected to engineering. He reached out to Career Services to find a part-time position through which he could stay connected to the field he is studying and proudly proclaims is his passion. 

Vladyslav Sazhen is working at the Advising front desk.

Sazhen contacted Anh Nguyen, a Career Support Coordinator with the College of Engineering, and the two met to discuss his options as an international student. Nguyen directed Sazhen to Handshake, an online early career community with job postings aimed at recruiting students, reviewed his resume and discussed on-campus employment opportunities. 

Nguyen also directed Sazhen to his advisor, Sandra Brown, who told him about a job within the College of Engineering’s Advising Office managing the front desk. Sazhen was hired for the role and is now working the maximum number of hours allowed for an international student. 

The Career Services office is expanding avenues to connect with students like Sazhen. This semester, students can make appointments on MU Connect or stop by for drop-in hours for help with career exploration, internships/job search, professional development skills, workshops and more. 

Nguyen suggests all students take an active role in looking for jobs and internships. “Our office always encourages our students to look on Handshake and make their profile or resume active online at the very beginning of their studying journey,” she said. “Students, including international students, are not alone.”  

Sazhen holds the same sentiment. “You shouldn’t feel shy about it,” he said when asked about going to Career Services. “People here are extremely nice and will gladly help you out and give you good advice.” 

Sazhen is an Aerospace Engineering student who came to campus in January as an exchange student with World Learning. “I don’t think I’d pick anything better,” Sazhen said when discussing his placement at Mizzou. Since arriving on campus, he has spent free time around the observatory and talking with others about his astrophotography. He also enjoyed his Intermediate Strength of Materials class. 

“Engineering nowadays is a must-have education,” said Sazhen. “It opens a whole new world of possibilities. Here at Mizzou, you can learn from people who’ve had substantial engineering experience.”  

Be part of an engineering program that gives you real-world opportunities. Apply to Mizzou today!