The EWU Career Center is dedicated to helping all students and alumni regardless of their immigration status. We have compiled a list of resources that will assist you with understanding your employment rights, as well as resources for your job and internship search. While the list is not exhaustive, it will help you get started. If you need further assistance, and would like to meet with someone, please feel free to make an appointment with a career advisor.
Know Your Employment Rights
It is important to know your legal rights in the workplace. These cover topics like illegal interview questions and discrimination. These issues can be challenging to figure out on your own. As always, if something is unclear, we’re happy to discuss and help you understand these resources.
- U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services
- National Immigration Law Center – About DACA and Employment
- National Immigration Law Center – Workers’ Rights
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- Workers Rights – Washington State
- Washington State Human Rights Commission – File a Complaint
Getting Experience
If you are finding that you lack experience for the opportunities you are interested in, consider building experience in different ways. The following page has some ideas.
What you can legally engage in, in the U.S., will depend on if you have work authorization.
Job & Internship Search Resources
In addition to this list, see our Online Search page for general online job boards. Also, see our Professional Networking page to learn about finding opportunities through your relationships.
- DACA or DREAMer Friendly Companies – Penn State and UCLA partnered to build a list of companies that are interested in hiring DACA students, some of which have dedicated recruitment programs targeting DACA-eligible students.
- DREAMer Jobs Facebook Group
- Immigrants Rising Resources – This resource page includes info on alternatives to employment through entrepreneurship, starting and financing a business.
- Top 25 freelance websites to find work in 2019 – Find freelance/contract or remote (work from home) opportunities from organizations around the globe.
Fellowship, Internship, and Professional Scholar Programs
These programs are funded opportunities that help you gain experience in your future career. They look great on your resume and show your commitment to your field. You can also access important professional networks that will help you with your job search when the fellowship or program is over.
Here are some, but not all, opportunities available for DACA and undocumented students.
- Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute – Congressional Internship Program
- The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships
- Dream Summer Fellowship with UCLA
- HACU National Internship Program – Corporate Component
- Pre-health Internships open to undocumented and DACA students
- PHD Internships (look through “Legal Reqs” column)
- Summer Research and Professional Development Programs for Undocumented College Students in STEM Fields
Educational Articles/Resources
These resources will help you learn how to direct your college experience toward specific goals. They also provide general information about identity and the workplace.
Organizations/Associations
Join or research a few professional organizations. You’ll meet other people in your community and field who can share their knowledge and perspective. This will give you a better understanding of your identity in the workplace.
This is not a comprehensive list. We encourage you to search for associations in relation to your field of interest.
- Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE)
- Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU)
- Association of Latino Professionals for America
- The DREAM Bar Association (DBA) – For undocumented immigrants who are interested in pursuing a law career.
- United We Dream
- Pre-Health Dreamers
- UndocuBlack Network
Washington Organizations
You can find more resources and assistance in your region. Also, getting involved locally is a good way to build your connections while you are still in school.
- Washington Dream Coalition
- Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
- WA Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance
- OneAmerica – DACA Resources and COVID-19 Resources
- Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network
- Hispanic Business/Professional Association in Spokane
On-Campus Resources
EWU also provides other organizations and resources to help support you. Visit the following connections and make friends. Reach out to a career advisor if you need help.
