OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
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As an international student in the US, you have the opportunity to bring a diverse set of skills and a new worldview to employers in the US. But finding those employers can be a challenge if you don't know how to navigate the various Federal regulations governing employment. Your journey may take longer to achieve simply due to the cultural and linguistic differences in how workers in the US are taught to build and highlight skills from a young age. Let us help you find your path.
What experiences have you brought with you? Many international experiences translate into desired skills for U.S. employers. Speak with the Career Development Center about how to frame the experiences you already have developed.
I learned that the world is bigger than a textbook. A lot of things we learn in a class cannot be taught, they must be experienced. I could spend a whole day doing research on a topic, but when I actually bring that research into the field is when it makes a difference in the world.
- Isadora Costa Cardoso, Political Science BA Class of 2019
I had no experience working in a professional setting. Practical training helped me develop team building skills and provided opportunity for me to apply my knowledge at a larger scale.
- Akash Agrawal, Computer Science MS Class of 2020
This experience [CPT] greatly informed my job search. I had a much clearer idea of what I want to do after graduation. It also forced me to step out of my comfort zone and learn to adapt to a different system, which eventually made me a stronger researcher.
- Tabeel Jacob, Mechanical Engineering PhD Class of 2020
Use the student job search database to look for open positions
Create a profile on Handshake and use the other online tools available
Build a résumé, CV, or cover letter
Explore your career path
Immigration defines on-campus for employment purposes as:
Related to a scholarship, assistantship, or fellowship; or
Occurs on school premises, including on-location commercial firms which provide services for students on campus, such as the university bookstore or food services
Up to 20 hours/week during term
Above 20 hours/week between terms and in summer vacation for continuing students
Graduate students with teaching and/or research assistantships: GTA/RA responsibilities are considered on-campus employment and should not exceed the above hourly limits
Obtain authorization before beginning employment
OSU Sponsored: request through OIS; Not OSU Sponsored: contact program sponsor directly
Up to 20 hours/week during term
Above 20 hours/week between terms and in summer vacation for continuing students
Graduate students with teaching and/or research assistantships: GTA/RA responsibilities are considered on-campus employment and should not exceed the above hourly limits
Approvals expire after 12 months and automatically upon program transfer or termination
F-1 students who would like to work off-campus before degree completion may be authorized for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) by OIS. Complete the free CPT workshop in Canvas prior to applying for CPT or accepting an offer.
J-1 students who would like to complete an internship or gain practical work experience in their field of study before the completion of their program may be authorized for Academic Training by their program sponsor.
F-1 students who wish to gain practical work experience in their field of study following graduation may be authorized for Optional Practical Training (OPT) by USCIS. Students in certain STEM majors are eligible to further extend their employment with the STEM OPT extension.
More Info on OPT More Info on STEM OPT
J-1 students who would like to complete an internship or gain practical work experience in their field of study after the completion of their program may also be authorized for Academic Training by their program sponsor.
Many international graduates go on to continue working in the US in skilled level work visa categories such as H-1B or O visas. These categories can grant you an additional 6 or more years of employment eligibility. The Office of International Services helps facilitate occasional presentations by immigration attorneys about these visa categories, so keep an eye on announcements about these opportunities to learn more.
J-2 visa holders (dependents of J-1s) are eligible to apply for employment authorization from USCIS as long as the funding is not used to support the J-1s studies in any way. The Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is valid for any kind of employment full-time or part-time.
Many students may wish to participate in an unpaid or volunteer opportunity, however, please speak to an international student advisor before deciding to engage in ANY opportunity as even unpaid positions may require authorization due to the broad definition of “employment” used by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The US Department of Labor provides further guidance on 'true' volunteering.
F-1 and J-1 students may be eligible to apply for off-campus employment authorization based on “unforeseen economic necessity” and financial hardship that arose after enrolling at Oregon State University. If you think you qualify, please make an appointment with an international student advisor to discuss your situation.