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Professional Issues of International Genetic Counseling Students Educated in the United States

  • Professional Issues
  • Published:
Journal of Genetic Counseling

Abstract

International students have unique personal and academic challenges during their training in genetic counseling programs across the United States (U.S.). Previous research has explored their motivations and experiences; however, there is scant research on how their international status affects the post-graduate experience. The current study used semi-structured phone interviews to explore the professional issues that international students face throughout their educational and professional careers. Twenty-six participants were interviewed including international genetic counseling students in their second years of training and international genetic counselors who graduated from a U.S.-accredited program. Participants included six, second-year students, twelve genetic counselors employed in the U.S., six employed in Canada, and one employed in the United Kingdom (U.K.). Qualitative analysis of interviews captured the common experiences and challenges international students faced during their training and post-graduation. Participants stated that they applied to programs in the U.S. because there is wide transferability of qualifications across the world, and there is limited or no opportunities for masters level genetic counseling training in their home country. Most participants who had applied for jobs in the U.S. experienced difficulties regarding unfamiliarity of human resources (HR) departments and Border Control Officers with international genetic counselors (GCs) and their visa requirements. The results suggest that currently there are insufficient job resources tailored to international genetic counselors, and an inadequate availability of peer support. The results also speak to the need to develop resources for prospective international students and for international GCs seeking jobs, and establishment of a peer support network. These resources may also provide assistance to genetic counseling training programs and employers to address the challenges faced by international genetic counselors.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the international genetic counselors who took the time to share their stories. We would also like to thank Laura Conway, PhD, LCGC for her guidance with this project, Rebecca Mueller, MS, LCGC for her assistance with qualitative analysis and, Dana Falcone, MS, LCGC for her guidance in turning this thesis project into a manuscript. We also acknowledge Arcadia University Ellington Beavers Fund for Intellectual Inquiry and NSGC International SIG for funding this project.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Genetic Counseling Program, Arcadia University, 776 Limekiln Pike, Glenside, PA, USA

    Gozde Akgumus, Divya Shah, Lydia Higgs & Kathleen Valverde

  2. Reproductive Genetic Innovations, LLC, 2910 MacArthur Boulevard, Northbrook, IL, USA

    Divya Shah

Authors
  1. Gozde Akgumus
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  2. Divya Shah
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  3. Lydia Higgs
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  4. Kathleen Valverde
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gozde Akgumus.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

Lydia Higgs and Kathleen Valverde declare that they have no conflict of interest. Divya Shah received a research grant from the Ellington Beavers Fund for Intellectual Inquiry at Arcadia University. Gozde Akgumus received research grants from the Ellington Beavers Fund for Intellectual Inquiry at Arcadia University and NSGC International SIG.

Human Studies and Informed Consent

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Informed consent was obtained from all participants for being included in the study.

Animal Studies

This article does not contain any studies with animals performed by any of the authors.

Appendix

Appendix

Interview Questions

Pre-program/Program

  1. 1.

    What motivated you to study genetic counselling in the U.S.?

  2. 2.

    What was your experience applying for an F1 visa? Specifically, did you come across any barriers? Did you come across any supports?

  3. 3.

    Did you come across any financial barriers?

  4. 4.

    During the program did your F1 visa compromise your graduate experience in any way?

Professional Issues: Post graduation/Job Search

Have you started applying for jobs yet?

Yes

No

1. Can you tell me about your experiences applying for jobs and navigating the application process? Did your F1 visa status pose any problems along the way?

2. Did your F1 visa status create any barriers being accepted for a job?

3. What has your experience been in retaining a job, with regards to your F1 visa status?

4. Have you found employers willing to sponsor your H1 visa?

5. How has your cultural identity affected your job search?

6. Do you feel your cultural identity affected your interviews/job offers?

7. Do you think employers prefer American genetic counselors?

8. What is your primary language of communication? Do you think employers prefer individuals who are not ESL?

9. Are there any other nuances in job search/job retention that you would like to share with me?

1. Are you going to apply for jobs in the US?

2. Do you anticipate any problems during this process as a result of your F1 visa status?

3. Do you anticipate any problems during your job search as a result of your cultural identity?

4. Are you aware of the time limit that exists for finding a job based on your visa status?

5. Are you aware of OPT? Optional Practical Training.

6. Are you going to apply for jobs elsewhere in the world? Your home country?

7. Why have you chosen to apply in these locations?

“Thank you for your participation in this study! Your opinions and experiences are extremely valuable. If you have any questions please contact either investigator. Once your transcripts have been analysed, you will receive a summary of your transcript. I would greatly appreciate your feedback on these summaries.

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Akgumus, G., Shah, D., Higgs, L. et al. Professional Issues of International Genetic Counseling Students Educated in the United States. J Genet Counsel 25, 664–676 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-016-9947-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-016-9947-8

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