1. Working on campus
Because most students studying in the United States hold student visas, they usually can't apply for jobs directly in the United States during their studies. However, all international students are qualified to work on campus. The purpose of American colleges and universities is to hire more students and less outsiders in campus work.
International students can work 20 hours a week on campus and 40 hours on holidays, and the hourly salary is generally not less than $5. The main workplaces of the school are restaurants, libraries, convenience stores, computer rooms and student service centers.
2. Internship program
During school, after completing most courses, or during holidays, American universities can provide CPT (course practice).
Training (in-class training), with a total time of one year, can be used many times.
CPT is an internship program in American universities. During CPT, students are in full-time positions and enjoy the same treatment as employees of internship companies or institutions.
CPT can not only meet the needs of international students economically, but also help to find a job after graduation. But in principle, the work of CPT must be related to the major studied, which has two explanations:
(1) Internship is an integral part of the plan, which means that internship is necessary and relatively rare;
(2) I just work outside and register for the practical course 1-N credits. You don't have to graduate for credits, but you must register. The probability of the second case is relatively high.
Off-campus work
Students holding an American F- 1 international student visa are regulated by federal law.
First, students are allowed to study and research in the United States. They must prove that they can afford to study and live before entering the country, so they should not be expected to be allowed to work outside the school.
Secondly, students will only be allowed to work outside the school if they encounter "serious economic difficulties" or "emergency environment" stipulated by the Department of Homeland Security.
In addition, students must study in school for at least one academic year, and their academic performance is good, so they can't get the opportunity to work on campus; Or the salary of working on campus is not enough to meet the economic needs of students. Only under these circumstances can they be allowed to work outside the school. Off-campus working hours shall not exceed 20 hours per week.
In addition, the authorization for off-campus work is usually valid for one year. If students work outside the school, they can't continue to work if the time limit allowed for them to work has passed. F- 1 Students should apply to the Citizenship and Immigration Department for renewal of the EAD card within 6 months to 90 days before the expiration of the Authorized Employment Card.
4. Graduation internship
It is a period of work practice time given by the American government to international students who have completed their degrees in the United States to engage in related majors, which is generally 1 year. In the past two years, applied disciplines include engineering applications, mathematics and other OPT (optional
Practical training) time increased to 29 months.
OPT lasts for one year, and it has a university international.
Office helps international students submit applications to the US Department of Homeland Security. The effective date is 365 days after the approval of the Department of Homeland Security. However, you must find a job within three months of the effective start date of OPT, otherwise OPT will automatically expire after three months.
International students can apply for OPT in advance in the semester of graduation, which is pre-OPT. OPT during this period is not included in the three-month job search time. If you can't find it in three months, you can just find a volunteer to work, or you can extend the OPT time.