Working in the USA: How to Find Work During and After Your Studies
Written by Sarah Hastings-Woodhouse
If you’re planning to complete a Masters or PhD in the USA, you may be wondering how you can bring in extra cash while you study, or what career opportunities will be open to you after graduating.
There are quite a few regulations for international students working in the USA, but there are still options on offer! We’ve broken down how to work in the USA during and after your studies.
Provided that you’re enrolled on a full-time programme at a US university and in possession of an F-1 student visa, you can work in the USA during your studies. However, there are quite a few restrictions on the kind of work you can do.
In your first year of study, you can work up to 20 hours per week in an on-campus role, but you will not be allowed to work off campus. You can work off campus in subsequent years, but you can only engage in the following two types of employment:
#1 Curricular practical training (CPT)
CPT allows you to undertake employment directly related to your field of study, for example through an internship or as part of a co-op programme. You’ll usually only have the option of completing CPT if it’s a required part of your course. It’s more common for CPT to be part of the curriculum for more vocational programmes in disciplines such as Business or Engineering, where you’ll benefit most from workplace experience.
You’ll need to complete your CPT before your programme’s end date. You can work either part-time (up to 20 hours per week) or full-time (more than 20 hours per week). CPT is usually paid, but there are also some unpaid options designed solely to help you gain professional experience.
You can technically complete CPT and work in an on-campus role at the same time, but your total time worked per week should not exceed 40 hours. This means you’ll probably have to apply for part-time CPT.
#2 Optional practical training (OPT)
OPT allows you to work in an area related to your field of study for a one-year period. Unlike CPT, OPT can be completed either during or after your programme. If you complete OPT while studying, you will only be able to work for up to 20 hours per week during term time.
Note that if you have already completed one year of full-time CPT, you will not be eligible to apply for OPT.
CPT and OPT allow for both paid and unpaid work experience. Most students will choose to apply for paid employment to support their studies, but you can also complete voluntary work or an unpaid internship, so long as it is relevant to your field of study.
What is a co-op programme?
Co-op programmes allow you to combine postgraduate study with professional experience. Universities offering co-op programmes will usually have partnerships with companies in a range of industries.
There’s no standardised format for a co-op programme, the exact arrangement will depend on your university. You might complete co-op during just one term, or alternate terms on campus with terms on co-op.
How can you search for a job?
If you’re looking for an on-campus job, you’ll generally be able browse listings on the careers section of your university’s website. Good part-time job for students could include library assistant, campus ambassador, peer mentor or receptionist.
If you’re looking for off-campus work to complete CPT, you’ll need to secure a job offer before you can apply for CPT authorisation. There are a number of places you can look for opportunities, such as the websites of companies in industries relevant to your field of study, or online job portals including LinkedIn, Handshake or Indeed. You could also seek advice from your university’s careers service or attend any careers fairs hosted by your institution.
Make sure any jobs you apply for are directly related to your field of study and meet any extra requirements for CPT roles set by your university. Once you have a job offer, you’ll need to apply for CPT authorisation. This is usually done through your Designated School Official (DSO).
The process of searching for a job to complete OPT is similar, except that you don’t need a job offer prior to applying for authorisation.
Federal work-study programmes
Federal work-study is a government-funded initiative that provides part-time jobs for university students who have a proven financial need, to help them cover tuition fees and living expenses. However, international students are not generally eligible. If you’re a US citizen looking to apply, you can check with your university’s financial aid office to see if they’re participating in the programme, or read more on the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website.
Working after your studies
The USA does not offer any post-study work visas for international students. However, there are still ways that you can seek work post-graduation!
Post-study Optional Practical Training
As we explained above, you can choose to complete OPT either during or after your course. If you choose the latter, this amounts to a one-year extension of your student visa while you gain practical experience in your chosen field.
You can also choose to complete part of your OPT while studying and part of it after graduating, as long as the total amount of OPT completed does not exceed one year of full-time work. For example, if you worked part-time (20 hours per week) for one year during your course, this would leave you with six months of OPT to use post-graduation.
Graduates of programmes in certain STEM subjects can apply for a two-year extension to their OPT period, allowing them to stay in the USA for up to three years after finishing their programme.
What’s next?
If you want to stay in the USA for longer that your OPT period, you will need to apply for a temporary or permanent work visa. Having completed a Masters or PhD at an American university won’t guarantee a successful visa application, but being educated to postgraduate level will likely still be an advantage!
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