Every year, business schools around the world welcome thousands of international students. These individuals arrive with more than just a tuition check; they arrive with a "life project" in hand. As Jannyree Góngora, Sales and Marketing Director at EU Business School, pointed out in our recent discussion, a student’s true objective isn’t actually to study. Their objective is to become something. Yet, for many international students, the gap between the dream sold during admissions and the reality they find in career services is where the disappointment begins.The problem is that many institutions treat Admissions and Career Services as two separate islands. While one team focuses on enrollment and "the promise," the other is left to manage the complex, messy realities of visa hurdles, cultural barriers, and a competitive labor market. When these two departments don’t speak the same language, the student is the one who pays the price.

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‍What honesty looks like in practice

‍Telling an international student the truth about the labor market or visa restrictions can feel like a tough conversation. But honesty, delivered with empathy, is actually the most empowering tool an institution has. Students deserve to know exactly what they are up against so they can prepare strategically, rather than stumbling blindly into professional walls after graduation. Jannyree Góngora has spent years leading at this exact intersection. Her approach at EU Business School is a masterclass in pragmatism. By ensuring that the marketing and sales teams are in total sintonía with the career outcomes team, she ensures that every student who walks through the door is equipped for the real world. Whether it’s through initiatives like the "Get Higher in Germany" series or bringing in alumni who have made it onto the Forbes Under 30 list, her leadership is defined by a commitment to results over rhetoric.

‍Moving toward a "Success Circle"

‍The conversation, hosted by our own Ileana Alberto, Academic Alliances Lead at CareerOS, highlighted a fundamental shift in how we should view our departments. We need to stop seeing Career Services as a "support office" and start seeing it as a primary motor for the institution.When a student succeeds, they become a top alumnus. When that alumnus builds a legacy, whether that’s in a multinational firm or leading a family business back home, they become the school’s most powerful marketing asset. This is the "Success Circle." It’s a model built on student-centered voices rather than institutional assumptions. It acknowledges that support means nothing if it isn't personalized to the student’s specific destination, be it the US, China, or Europe.

‍Why this matters now

‍Higher education is globalizing faster than ever, and universities aren't just recruiting for revenue; they are recruiting for their future reputation. If students struggle to transition into careers, the institution risks its long-term credibility.By bridging the gap between enrollment and employment, we move beyond surface-level advising. We begin to offer a service that actually honors the ambition of the people we serve.This isn’t just a discussion for one school. It’s a challenge for every university: are we truly supporting international talent, or are we just enrolling them?Because at the end of the day, international students deserve career services that tell the truth, listen deeply, and help them thrive, wherever they choose to lead.

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