University of Maryland Business School Gives Recruiters Free Access to International Employment Advice

The Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland today announced a unique collaboration with Reed Smith LLP, one of the largest law firms in the United States and known for a leading immigration practice, that gives employers free access to Reeds immigration lawyers for legal advice and consulting services. Employers will benefit from the innovative new program, which in keeping with the Smith Office of Career Managements dedication to employer-focused customer service, will make it easier to recruit and hire foreign graduates.

Effective immediately, any employer interested in recruiting a Smith School student can take advantage of Reed Smiths complementary services, which include:

• Consultation with employers regarding all aspects of the sponsorship process
• Case-by-case visa assessments
• Pre-negotiated legal fees for H1-B visa processing
• Advice and materials on immigration issues

The Smith School remains at the forefront in its efforts to match corporate recruiters with the best and most qualified pool of graduates. This is just one step in many that we have taken to make the hiring and recruitment of our students as seamless as possible, said Howard Frank, dean of the Robert H. Smith School of Business. Thirty-nine percent of our graduate population is from outside the United States, and we are doing both our students and our corporate community a great service in making it easier to recruit from Smiths full student population.

There are a limited number of H1-B visas issued per year a number currently set by Congress at 85,000 and employers sometimes eschew foreign students in the belief that navigating the visa application process is too difficult. (For more information about the H1-B visa process, please visitwww.rhsmith.umd.edu/career/employers_intl_hire.html).

There is a tremendous amount of misinformation in the employment marketplace concerning the process of hiring foreign students, often resulting in employment decisions that are not in the best interest of either employers or students, said Mark Rhoads, head of Reed Smiths international Immigration Practice Group. By demystifying the process and providing tactical support, together we can bring employers to the table that would not have otherwise pursued international talent. We are excited to have been chosen by the Smith School as their partner in this innovative new venture.

Employers interested in recruiting an international Smith School graduate can access these immigration consultation services and legal advice by contacting Peter Brown, director of employer development, Office of Career Management, Robert H. Smith School of Business, (301) 405-9475, e-mail:pbrown@rhsmith.umd.edu.

The Smith Schools collaboration with Reed Smith follows previous initiatives designed to enhance the career and recruiting experiences of employers, students, and alumni. In 2003, the Smith School was the first to partner with a worldwide executive search firm, Stanton Chase International, to prepare MBA students for their careers and to present employers worldwide with the best qualified and most appropriate candidates. In the fall of 2004, the school partnered with DBM, a global human resources consulting firm, to produce career management services and tools specifically designed for the Smith Schools part-time and executive MBA students. 

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business
The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research for the digital economy. One of 13 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and part-time MBA, Executive MBA, PhD, and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in three continents including North America, Europe and Asia. More information about the Robert H. Smith School of Business can be found at www.rhsmith.umd.edu.

About Reed Smith LLP
Reed Smith LLP, a top-25 international law firm with 1,000 lawyers located in 14 U.S. and two U.K. cities, represents Fortune 100 as well as mid-market and emerging companies. Clients include financial services firms, life sciences companies, health care providers, technology companies and entrepreneurs, power generators and suppliers, manufacturers, universities, non-profit organizations, real estate developers, and municipalities throughout the United States and in 40 countries. For more information, visit www.reedsmith.com.