Explore Careers and Gain Skills with Forage Job Simulation

What is Forage Simulation?

Forage is a free online platform designed to help students—especially international—explore career paths, participate in realistic job simulations, and gain firsthand experience with leading employers. For students coming from different educational or cultural backgrounds, it can be difficult to know what to expect from the U.S. job market. That’s where Forage shines, providing insight into U.S. workplace culture, day-to-day responsibilities, and industry expectations—all without needing a visa or work authorization. By simulating real-world tasks from top companies, Forage empowers students to build practical skills and make informed career choices, no matter where they’re starting from. 

How Does it Work? 

Explore a wide range of employment titles and companies that have set up their simulations, select the one that aligns best with your career aspirations, and choose your dream company! Once you find a simulation that matches your career goals, you will work through a set of materials and tasks assigned by the company, designed to replicate the sort of work that you would undertake as an intern or employee. All the programs are self-paced, taking 5 to 6 hours to complete, ensuring that you can flexibly fit your participation around other commitments. 

Career Interests Offered 

Benefits of Using Forage 

• Gain insight into what the work might be at a specific company and in specific roles. 

• Receive a certificate of completion, which can be noted on your résumé or LinkedIn. 

• Understand the responsibilities and day-to-day tasks of different roles, helping you identify which jobs align with your interests and skills. 

• Develop practical skills needed for the workplace through interactive modules, such as problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking.  

• Explore career paths you may not have previously considered. 

Benefits for International Students 

International students may be unfamiliar with the work environment, work ethics, and responsibilities associated with employment in the U.S., as these aspects can vastly differ from what one is used to. Forage simulations present a valuable opportunity to better understand work expectations, specifically in the context of the U.S. It helps you make informed decisions about whether you want to pursue a job at a specific company, avoiding accepting a position and quitting later due to unmet expectations. 

Moreover, it is comparatively hard for international students to gain work experience in the US considering work authorization requirements. However, Forage simulations do not require work authorization or a work visa to gain experience, which can be a great resource for international students. Additionally, forage simulations, being self-paced, can be completed at any time, even during breaks between classes, and from anywhere, meaning you do not have to travel to gain that experience. 

My Experience 

I recently completed the Entrepreneurship and Innovation simulation on Forage, which was an incredibly enriching experience. It provided valuable insights into the skills and qualities required to be an entrepreneur and the expectations that come with pursuing this career path. The simulation provides a comprehensive understanding of working in a specific company and job role, which is highly beneficial when considering career options. During the simulation, I had the opportunity to create a presentation pitching a hypothetical company to investors. I also developed a mock website for the company, following the instructions. These activities helped me grasp the diverse nature of the role and its various responsibilities. Overall, this simulation gave me a deeper understanding of the challenges of working in entrepreneurship, which will be critical in helping me decide if I want to pursue this career in the future. 

Of course, it’s possible that your first simulation might not be the right fit. For example, I tried an investment banking simulation. Having never studied finance or banking, I struggled with the complex tasks that are typically known to those majors. I found it overwhelming and eventually pivoted to a simulation that better matched my background. That’s the beauty of Forage—you’re free to explore until you find the path that fits. 

How to Use/Access Forage 

• Go to the official Forage website: https://www.theforage.com/. 

• Create an Account or Sign In: 

• Browse through the simulation dashboard to explore industries and roles 

• Select a simulation that aligns with your interests and begin at your own pace