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Requirements for Working in the US as an International Student
Job searching for international students in the USA is not a challenging task; however, it is necessary for them to follow some rules. The most important thing is to realize that the F-1 student visa permits you to work, but under specific circumstances only. During the first academic year, you are usually allowed to do on-campus jobs in international education that are the most accessible ones to get. These may include library, cafeteria, or university office attendants.
Then, there are two principal choices: CPT (Curricular Practical Training) and OPT (Optional Practical Training). You can do voluntary work or work directly linked to your field of study at the same time that you are still in training, through CPT. Conversely, OPT induces employment after you have completed your degree; therefore, you will receive a work permit for 12 months (and for STEM majors, up to 36 months).
Additionally, you will have to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) if you aim to work within legal parameters and get a payment in the USA for jobs in the USA. Your international student office is the best source from which you could obtain it.
Difficulties International Students Face
Let’s face it: job search for international students in the USA is like having a mountain to climb. There are obstacles such as language, culture, and, of course, visa issues for jobs in the USA. On some occasions, employers refuse to hire international students because they cannot navigate the work visa processes, or they believe the process is too complicated.
You can also find students from the country who are sponsored more than you are as a competitor. Yet, never let that be the reason for fear. Being aware of how things work, getting help from the right sources, and seeking jobs in the USA, luckily, make everything different.
Top 12 Internships in the USA for International Students
Internships no longer are a mere tick mark on your resume, but they have become a liberal way of getting jobs in international education that unlocks the door to full-time employment. International students can use internships as the connecting line that shows the practical work with the theoretical studies of what you are reading, get trained in the U.S. work style, meet people in the field, and even on how to get a job in the USA before you finish school.
So, which internships are actually worth your time?
Here’s a closer look at some of the top 12 internships that have been consistently known to welcome international students and support CPT/OPT work authorization:
1. Google STEP and Software Engineering Internships:
Google is renowned for its work culture, characterized by supportive people and diversity. The STEP (Student Training in Engineering Program) is mainly targeted at students who have less traditional tech backgrounds and is welcoming to applicants from other countries. The software internships are frequently available for OPT/CPT students and may result in return contracts.
2. Microsoft Explore Internship & Software Internships:
Microsoft’s internship programs are about gaining work experience through doing hands-on projects and getting mentorship. Besides, the Explore program is especially suited for first or second-year students, and, in addition, their technical posts are OPT/CPT friendly and provide relocation assistance.
3. Amazon Pathways Internship:
Every year, Amazon recruits several hundred interns in different fields like engineering, operations, and business. They have intensive but enriching internship programs, and a large number of interns who perform well get the chance to stay with the company as full-time employees. Also, they clearly state their support regarding the visa-related queries.
4. Tesla Internship Program:
Tesla attracts zealous and self-motivated students of diverse specializations, from mechanical engineering to business analytics. Interns are entrusted with genuine responsibilities and are expected to produce the same work as permanent employees do.
5. IBM Extreme Blue Internship Program:
This is a fast-paced, technologically focused internship where international students get to work on breakthrough technologies. Interns work in small groups to solve real-world problems through the use of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and more.
6. Deloitte Discovery Internship:
Deloitte’s internships are an excellent opportunity for students interested in finance, accounting, or consulting to get a first-hand experience in the industry. Typically, they recruit from the best universities in the US and build a global talent pipeline.
7. Meta (Facebook) University Internship:
The internships Meta provides encompass software engineering, data science, and product management. The atmosphere is highly competitive, forming a radically innovative platform that is ideal for overseas students eager to confront their limits, who are enthusiastic about jobs in the USA.
8. Intel Corporation Internships:
The tech interns at Intel, who come from all over the world, are offered opportunities in hardware engineering, software development, and research. In addition, they are known for their mentorship programs and visa consideration in most cases.
9. Goldman Sachs Summer Analyst Internship:
For learners who have a goal of entering the financial sector, Goldman Sachs offers hands-on training internships that revolve around realistic business problems. Leadership-oriented and academically well-performing international students are the ones who are particularly invited to submit their applications.
10. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. Internships:
J.P. Morgan provides internship prospects with definitive paths for advancement across various domains, including investment banking, cybersecurity, and marketing. They regularly recruit their interns for permanent positions.
11. PwC Start Internship Program:
The main goal of PwC’s internship program is to assist students in developing essential business and client-facing skills at the beginning of their careers. The company perceives diversity as an essential factor and often views international talent as a crucial aspect of its hiring strategy globally.
12. Adobe Internship Program:
The design, marketing, data science, and software engineering are the fields at Adobe that offer internships. The prominence of creativity and innovation at Adobe underpins the intern experience, which involves participation in networking events, receiving mentorship, and collaboration across functions.
Now, where do you find these internships?
- The first thing you do is create an impressive LinkedIn profile and subscribe to job alerts on pages like Internships.com, WayUp, and Indeed. These sites sometimes have different filters that can pinpoint visa-friendly positions for you and locate the best choice. It is also essential for you to set the email notifications so that you will be updated whenever there are new posts.
- Besides, do not ignore your university’s career portal. Besides the possibility of getting started with some American companies, this is the university’s advantage because of its contracts for jobs in international education. This means you only have a few competitors, which is always a gain.
- Join your university campus career fairs and alumni network. Every fall and spring, most universities do such recruitment events where you can meet companies face-to-face. When you speak to a new person at a booth or in a virtual fair, start the dialogue by asking how they handle visa problems with their interns. Just be friendly and straight to the point.
- Many companies still have internships available throughout the year, regardless of the “summer internship” season, so check their websites from time to time. If you are looking into research or teaching in the quest for a job search for international students in the USA, find the right internships by participating in faculty-led research projects or university innovation labs that pay you, which usually have more flexibility with work authorisation.
Internships serve as more than just an opportunity to get a full-time job. Also, they allow internship seekers to discover their preferences as well as build confidence in the U.S. workplace and showcase their abilities to potential employers. The key is not finding the best internship but rather utilising it to the fullest while you are there.
The route may look difficult, but every year, many international students manage to walk it without failure. Similarly, you can do it with the help of thoughtful planning, persistence, and the right tools.
Where Are the Best Places to Find Work for International Students?
High-demand jobs, especially companies hiring international students in the USA for employment from foreign students, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Boston, are the most preferred hosting cities. With their additional ethnic groups, cities are welcoming, and it is easy to adapt.
The on-campus jobs are usually the most direct way to access them, but do not stop there. Network at events, attend job fairs, and even volunteer to build connections. Being in a city where international companies do business can be an advantage, especially if you are looking for jobs in international education or global companies.
How to Apply for a Job in the USA
The process of applying for a job in the United States might seem pretty alien to you compared to what you are used to at home. As a first step, you have to modify your resume as per the U.S. job market. It should be only one page long, to the point, and focus on your accomplishments using appropriate action expressions.
Letters of introduction are non-negotiable. They are not only a part of the requirement but are also your opportunity to explain why you are the best fit for the position and to show your interest in the job. Be precise, however, do it in a personal way.
What do you think or feel about the interviews? Definitely, practice is essential. Get used to the frequently asked questions, and as a matter of course, have a precise answer regarding your visa status as to whether you will speak it honestly or confidently. You should also keep in mind that a lot of firms are ready to back you if you are suitable for them.
Job Hunting Tips for International Students
Initiate the task promptly. It is not advisable to put off the search for employment in your final semester. Take advantage of the career services offered by your university, join the workshops, and make acquaintances with the professors who can recommend you for the positions available.
The key element is networking. Be a member of associations, show up at career fairs, and establish contacts with alumni. Utilize your LinkedIn account to locate experts in your field of study and request informational interviews. The majority of individuals will be happy to assist you as long as you make contact with them in a polite way and show your genuine interest.
Do not merely apply without thought. Choose quality over quantity. Adapt your resume and cover letter for each position. And most important of all, make sure to follow up. A polite follow-up email can make you stand out.
Best Job Portals & Resources for International Students
Bonus Resources to Explore
- Career Services at Your University: It is one of the most underused resources for international students. Your college probably has resume reviews, simulated interviews, and entry-level job openings that are available only to students. There are even times that they invite lawyers and organize question-and-answer sessions about work visa issues. Schedule an appointment in your first semester of college, and they will assist you in customising your plan for the job market in the U.S.
- Alumni Networks: The majority of the schools maintain functional alumni groups. Get in touch via LinkedIn or via the portal of your university. To make friends with the person who has been in your shoes—studied your major, handled the same visa issues, and found a job—is the best way to connect with him or her. People like this can be really inspiring and helpful.
- Online Career Webinars & Job Fairs for International Students: Free web events on various subjects can be downloaded from sites such as Interstride, NAFSA, or YouTube, for example, how to navigate CPT/OPT, companies hiring international students, and interview prep. These should not be overlooked. They come with concrete suggestions given by HR professionals and alumni.
Thus, the correct job portals are the most effective way to get your work done faster and thus concentrate your work on the companies that are indeed hiring international employees. If you add it to the resources of your school and a little bit of strategic networking, you will be miles ahead of the typical job hunter.
Golden Rules of Job Hunting
Searching for a job in an entirely different country is somewhat like being in an unending maze. On some days, you will feel bored and out of it. But there will be some days you might feel like nothing. You are not alone, and that’s why you’re feeling this way. All those international students who found a job in the USA have experienced the same situation as you are in now. It mostly relies on knowing the right things to do, which should help you keep in the right mindset and remain focused on the job application.
- Be Persistent but Patient
Persistence is what makes you put your resume out there, makes you go to networking events, and drives you to apply one more time. Patience is as important as that – the reason is that the results won’t come overnight. It is really hard to avoid the thought of the arrival of a job offer after just a few applications, but in reality, the job search process usually requires some trial and error, and a lot of waiting.
You might have to send out as many as 20 applications just to get a single interview. That is totally fine. It’s a competitive industry for everybody, not just for international students. The best part is to be persistent in the process. Do not let the lack of fast returns make you question your value. It’s worth keeping in your mind that you are creating your future in the long term here.
- Stay Organised
The large number of applications and their respective deadlines certainly makes it easy for one to lose track of them. The main reason for this is the fact that a system is a real game changer. You may create a very simple spreadsheet, Trello, or Notion to keep track of the following items:
- Company names for which you have submitted an application
- Application date
- Person you contacted (recruiter, hiring manager, alumni)
- Follow-up dates
- Current status updates (e.g., applied, interviewed, rejected, offered)
It is helpful to have this information right in front of you so that you can take proactive steps. The ability to keep things organized enables you to deal with your job application as if it were a real project, that is, with goals, timelines, and definite actions to be taken.
- Practice Gratitude and Confidence
You need to realize the fact that rejection does not determine your abilities. It’s merely a stage in the pathway. By practicing the art of gratitude, whether that’s writing a journal listing three good things you did today or just recalling your past struggles you have overcome, your attitude can be changed from “Why me?” to “What’s next?”
- Keep Sharpening Your Skills
Pyramid your time between looking for a job and building your profile. Go through a certification program on Coursera, learn software that is widely used in your field, or just take an online course on interview techniques.
The more skills you attain, the better your marketability is. And also, the fact that you have something to do may halve of your stress. For employers, it is a real hit when the applicants show their tendency towards learning and development. Besides, you will become more confident in what you can do.
- Build and Lean on Your Support System
Rather than attempting to tackle this responsibility entirely, you should get in touch with other students, former students, mentors, or even faculty members. Be part of LinkedIn groups that deal with your sector. Have a conversation with the people who have faced this kind of issue and are now in a successful situation. The majority of them will be glad to share their valuable suggestions or inspire you in other ways.
Having someone to share your worries with or to seek their insight makes the whole process more manageable. And don’t be surprised if this particular contact suggests you for a job position later on.
- Celebrate Small Wins
Today, you made an application for five job offers? That’s a huge success. Have you received an invitation for an interview? Oh, that’s really great. Did you have your very first interview, even if it did not lead to a job offer? That’s really fantastic. Displacement is not merely about the finish line; it is rather a collection of small progressions that do the work.
Take pride in the things you did, not just in what you got. A change of that kind in thinking will always let you be positive, motivated, and equipped for what follows.
The golden rules aren’t merely suggestions; they are the qualities that will allow you to go through the ups and downs of the job search process. Show patience with yourself, remain organised, put your money into your growth, and do not forget: this is a period of planting. With the right amount of time, effort, and a positive mentality, your yield will be fruitful. Getting a job in the USA is not a distant dream, but rather a reality that you are gradually bringing to life.
How Rostrum Can Help You in Finding a Job
Rostrum is not only a platform for mentoring, but it also acts as a bridge for job search in the USA for international students. The all-in-one platform through which you can build up your resume, prepare for your interview, and get one-on-one career counseling to guide you throughout the process of hunting for jobs in the USA or for other necessary guidance.
We know the need for individualized strategies to get you ready for a job in the USA. No matter if you are looking for companies that hire international students in the USA or you are looking for resume tips for jobs in the USA, we help to make it easy for you to get jobs in the USA.
FAQ on How to Get an Internship in the USA as an International Student
What are the best job portals for international students in the USA?
Among the most popular platforms are Interstride, GoinGlobal, Myvisajobs.com, LinkedIn, and Handshake. These are perfect for international students seeking a job in the USA, as they usually include companies that are willing to sponsor them.
What kinds of jobs can international students do in the USA?
According to your visa regulations, you can take on-campus jobs, internships (CPT or OPT), research functions, or even freelance gigs. Through internships in their field, many students embark on pursuing the goal of then moving to full-time positions.
Can I get a full-time job after graduation in the USA?
Definitely! After graduation, you can work full-time for 12 months with OPT (or 36 months for STEM majors). During this time, many students are able to get H-1B visa sponsorship to stay longer.
Can international students work in the USA while studying?
Indeed, international scholars with an F-1 visa status are allowed to work on campus for a maximum of 20 hours per week during the academic year and may work full time during vacation breaks. CPT not only lets you work off-campus but also allows you to do so through an internship that relates to your program of study.
Finding jobs in the USA may take effort, but it is significantly possible through the right strategies. Be a go-getter, avail yourself of the resources, and never hesitate to ask for support. You can get your favorite job in the USA!
