Placement Information at Blackburn College

Blackburn College: Empowering Indian Students for Successful Careers in the USA

For Indian students dreaming of studying abroad in the USA, Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois, stands out as a supportive gateway to academic excellence and professional success. With its personalized approach to education and strong emphasis on career development, Blackburn ensures that international students, including those from India, are well-prepared for the global job market. Our placement services are designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world opportunities, focusing on high employability rates, internships, and post-graduation support. Whether you're pursuing undergraduate programs in business, education, sciences, or liberal arts, Blackburn's career ecosystem is tailored to help you thrive in the next intake—Fall 2024 or Spring 2025.

Career Services and Support

Blackburn's Office of Career Services is a dedicated hub for all students, with special resources for international learners from India. From your first year, you'll receive individualized career counseling, resume building workshops, and interview preparation sessions. Our advisors understand the unique challenges faced by Indian students, such as navigating H-1B visas, OPT (Optional Practical Training), and CPT (Curricular Practical Training) to gain U.S. work experience.

• Resume and Portfolio Development: Tailored guidance to highlight your Indian academic background and skills for U.S. employers.
• Job Search Platforms: Access to Handshake, LinkedIn integration, and exclusive job fairs connecting you to top companies in Chicago and beyond.
• Mock Interviews: Practice with industry professionals, including sessions on behavioral and technical interviews relevant to fields like IT, finance, and engineering.
• Networking Events: Annual career expos and alumni panels featuring successful Indian graduates now working at firms like Deloitte, Google, and Accenture.

Blackburn boasts a 95% placement rate within six months of graduation for the Class of 2023, with international students benefiting from dedicated visa workshops and employer partnerships that prioritize diverse talent.

Internships and Experiential Learning Opportunities

Hands-on experience is at the heart of Blackburn's curriculum, making it ideal for Indian students seeking practical exposure in the USA. Our Work Program requires students to contribute to campus operations, building leadership and professional skills while earning credits. For placements, we emphasize paid internships that align with your major and career goals.

Key highlights for the upcoming intake:

• Guaranteed Internships: Partnerships with over 200 organizations, including Fortune 500 companies in the Midwest, offering summer and semester-long roles in business, healthcare, and technology.
• International Student Focus: CPT-eligible internships starting from your first year, allowing legal on-campus and off-campus work to build your U.S. resume.
• India-Specific Initiatives: Collaborations with Indian multinationals like Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services for remote and hybrid opportunities, easing your transition to the American job market.
• Stipends and Support: Average internship stipends of $15–$20 per hour, plus relocation assistance for students from India.

In the 2023–2024 cycle, 85% of international students secured internships, with many converting to full-time offers post-OPT.

Employment Outcomes and Statistics

Blackburn's graduates are highly sought after, thanks to our small class sizes (average 15:1 student-faculty ratio) and focus on real-world skills. Below is a snapshot of recent placement data, optimized for Indian students eyeing STEM and business fields eligible for extended OPT (up to 36 months).

Major	Average Starting Salary (USD)	Top Employers	Placement Rate (International Students)
Business Administration	$45,000–$55,000	State Farm, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, KPMG	92%
Computer Science/IT	$60,000–$70,000	IBM, Microsoft, local tech startups	96% (STEM OPT eligible)
Education	$40,000–$50,000	Carlinville School District, Chicago Public Schools	90%
Biology/Health Sciences	$50,000–$60,000	Mayo Clinic affiliates, pharmaceutical firms	94% (STEM OPT eligible)
Overall Average	$52,000	Diverse sectors including finance and non-profits	95%

These figures reflect data from the past three years, with Indian alumni often securing roles in high-demand areas like data analytics and software development. Our location near St. Louis and Chicago provides access to booming industries, and 70% of graduates stay in the USA for further opportunities.

Special Support for Indian International Students

Understanding the aspirations of Indian students, Blackburn offers targeted resources to maximize your placement potential:

1. Visa and Immigration Guidance: Free consultations on F-1 visa maintenance, OPT applications, and H-1B sponsorship strategies.
2. Cultural Integration Programs: Mentorship pairs with Indian alumni to navigate U.S. workplace culture and build professional networks.
3. Scholarships for Career Development: Merit-based awards up to $5,000 for internships and certifications like PMP or AWS, reducing financial barriers for students from India.
4. Alumni Network: Over 500 Indian-origin graduates worldwide, with chapters in Mumbai and Bangalore for global connections.

For the next intake, apply early to access priority internship placements and enhanced career coaching sessions starting in orientation.

Success Stories from Indian Graduates

Meet Raj Patel, a 2022 Computer Science graduate from Mumbai, who interned at a Chicago tech firm through Blackburn's program and now works as a software engineer at Salesforce with a $65,000 salary—his OPT seamlessly transitioned to an H-1B. Similarly, Priya Sharma from Delhi, a Business major, leveraged our career fairs to join Ernst & Young, crediting Blackburn's personalized support for her success.

These stories underscore Blackburn's commitment to turning Indian students' ambitions into reality. With affordable tuition (under $25,000 annually after aid) and a 100% work-study participation rate, you're not just studying—you're building a future in the USA.

Join Blackburn College for the next intake and step confidently into a world of opportunities. Our placement team is here to guide you every step of the way.