Students

Career Resources for International Students

Calendar of Events Career Center Services
Career Center Policies Career Center Mission Statement
Career Exploration
Meet Your Counselor Choosing a Major Career Options
Discover Interest & Values Creating a Document Get Internships/Experience
Practice Interviewing Building Your Network Taking a Year Off
Apply for Jobs Find Housing  
Other Resources
Emory Network Nights Recent Workshops Electronic Resources
Job Search Links    

 

Introduction
Important Things To Know
What is OPT and CPT?
What is Academic Training?
How Can You Market Yourself?
What Are Employers Seeking?
What Employers Are Hiring In the U.S.?
What Preparation Is Needed?
What Employers CAN and CANNOT Ask You.
Useful Career Websites for International Students

Introduction

Job search materials, methods and etiquette for both career full-time positions and internships in the United States may be quite different from those in your home country. We encourage all international students that are seeking employment to contact the ISSP office and The Career Center early in the academic school year to discuss internships and other job opportunities. The Career Center offers many career development programs and workshops throughout the year. Some of these include:

  • Creating resumes and cover letters
  • Job search skills
  • Networking skills
  • Job fairs and graduate/professional school fairs

The job search process for international students is essentially the same as U.S. students with a slightly different focus on employers and opportunities. The only difference is that the job search can be challenging for international students due to government immigration laws and the quotas established by the government. We highly encourage all international students (those possessing a student visa with no authorization to work in the U.S.) to utilize networks to identify positions in their home country or in other countries outside the U.S.

Important Notes:

  • Be aware of the U.S. federal regulations and procedures for being hired; review the OPT and CPT, and Academic Training requirements and procedures posted on the Office of International Student and Scholar Programs (ISSP) website
  • You are NOT eligible for U.S. government positions and positions with contractors which require U.S. federal government security clearance
  • Do not misrepresent your status for employment; eligibility for academic, optional or curricular practical training or practical training does NOT mean you have work authorization
  • You are responsible for knowing U.S. expectations and appropriate behaviors for conducting a job search
  • Once you have accepted an offer of employment from one employer you are committed to the organization and should withdraw from further interviewing (this is called good faith acceptance)

What is OPT and CPT?

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is the more common and flexible form of off-campus work authorization for F-1 students. OPT gives F-1 students an opportunity to work before and/or after completion of their degree. It is limited to a total of 12 months and must be in a field directly related to the student's field of study. F-1 students in a STEM-eligible field of study may extend their work authorization for an additional 17 months. F-1 students are eligible for OPT if they have maintained their F-1 status for at least one full academic year. OPT can be done part-time while school is in session or full-time after completion of studies and during vacation periods. The application for OPT should be mailed to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before the student's program completion date. A job offer is not required to apply, but would be necessary once approved and during the majority of the duration of work authorization. It takes approximately 3 months to receive the USCIS's approval for OPT, and the student may NOT work until approval is received, and the start date on the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) has been reached.

Curricular practical training (CPT) is a required or optional employment training for F-1 students defined as "alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school." Students may only engage in CPT during their academic program. CPT can generally be done part-time while school is in session or full-time during vacation periods. A job offer is required. CPT is recommended and supported by the student's Academic Advisor with a letter verifying that the CPT is indeed an integral part of the student's program of study. CPT can be then aurhorized through the student's advisor in the ISSP office and may begin as soon as this written authorization is obtained in the form of a new Form I-20. In order to qualify as CPT, however, the proposed employment must meet very specific criteria. Generally, F-1 students must be in proper immigration status for one academic year before beginning CPT. Students interested in participating in CPT should read the information on the following link on ISSP's website: http://www.emory.edu/ISSP/students/fk/cpt.htm. For further information, the student may schedule an appointment with the ISSP advisor by calling 404-727-3300.

What is Academic Training?

Academic Training is an opportunity for J-1 students to fulfill an internship requirement or to gain practical experience in their major field of study. Students can engage in Academic Training before or after the completion of their program. It can be done part-time while school is in session or full-time after completion of studies and during vacation periods. The length of time students can work depends on the length of their program. A job offer is required. Academic Training is recommended and supported by the student’s Academic Advisor by verifying that the work is indeed  related to the student’s program of study.  Academic Training can be then authorized through the student’s advisor in the ISSP office and may begin as soon as this written authorization is obtained in the form of a new Form DS-2019. Students who wish to work after completing their program must be authorized for Academic Training BEFORE their program end date. Students interested in participating in Academic Training should read the information on the following link on ISSP’s website: http://www.emory.edu/ISSP/students/j1/acad.htm.  For further information the student may schedule an appointment with the ISSP Advisor by calling 404-727-3300.”

How Can You Market Yourself?

  • Be enthusiastic and show interest in working for the organization
  • Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to the organization
  • Do not be the first to discuss your work status with an employer, but be prepared to answer questions about your work status by knowing the requirements of working in the U.S.
  • Be familiar with the ISSP web site and read updates from ISSP on changing immigration regulations related to OPT and CPT.
  • Prepare a "Plan B" by meeting with your career center counselor in the event that you are unable to secure employment.

What Are Employers Seeking?

  • English communication skills, including reading, writing, speaking and interpersonal
  • Motivated workers with the skills and knowledge prepared to work in a professional environment
  • Honesty, integrity, punctuality and good business etiquette behaviors according to U.S. expectations
  • Work ethic and initiative; being willing to go above and beyond the job description

What Employers are Hiring in the U.S.?

  • Many U.S. firms operate firms in other countries and other countries have firms operating in the U.S. See the online Uniworld Directory for American Firms Operating In Foreign Countries and Foreign Firms Operating in the U.S.
  • Small, medium and large companies with special needs for highly developed skills often do not have enough U.S. citizens to fill positions
  • Technical, engineering, quantitative science/math/computer science and some business areas generally offer more potential for practical training in the U.S.; however, your marketability depends more on you and your accomplishments, including academic, participation in organizations, the strength of your network, work/project experience and other related factors

What Preparation Is Needed?

  • Focus on your English communication skills—this should include your writing, oral and interpersonal skills
  • Meet with your career counselor. Call our office at 404.727.6211 to set up an appointment
  • Attend Career Center programs and events
  • Complete your resume and have it critiqued by the Career Center BEFORE applying to positions
  • Network with friends, family, alumni and any others who can assist you in your job search
  • Register on Eagle Ops
  • Practice your interviewing skills with your career counselor
  • Research companies thoroughly before going on that interview
  • The job search process can be lengthy. Plan on starting as soon as possible
  • Prepare, prepare, prepare!

Questions That Employers CAN and CANNOT Ask You.

You CAN be asked:

  • Are you legally authorized to work in the US?
  • Have you ever been convicted of a crime?
  • Are you able to work the hours/travel schedule required?
  • Are you able to perform the requirements of the position as outlined?

You CANNOT be asked to answer questions structured to obtain information regarding your:

  • Race
  • Gender
  • Religion
  • Marital Status
  • Age
  • Physical/mental status
  • Ethnicity
  • Country of Origin
  • Vital Statistics
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Family Status

Useful Career Websites for International Students