This week's newsletter includes general information about employment options for international students. As always, if you have any general questions, you can contact our office by chat, phone, or email. If you have specific immigration questions, you can make an appointment with your ISSS adviser.
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At the beginning of each semester, students are often curious about employment options available to them. Please note that all F-1 students must first receive approval before beginning off-campus employment in the U.. F-1 students should know the following about their options for employment:
- On-campus employment: All F-1 degree-seeking students may work on campus up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session. Eligible F-1 students should follow the steps listed on our web page when seeking on-campus employment. Learn more »
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT): If you're interested in pursuing an internship or job, consider applying for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). It is work authorization that is integrated into the curriculum of your program or major field of study. Students who have a course or degree requirement to engage in an off-campus internship, fieldwork, or job, can apply for CPT. In order to apply for CPT, you need proof of your course or degree requirement, a CPT letter from the employer, and your academic adviser's recommendation. ISSS has recently revised the CPT employer letter template to make this process more standardized. Students applying for CPT should provide the CPT employer letter template to their employer so they can ensure all the required information and acknowledgment of CPT are included in the letter. You can read more about CPT and find the new template letter on the ISSS CPT page. Learn more »
- Optional Practical Training (OPT): OPT is an off-campus work benefit for F-1 visa holders. Students have the option to apply for 12 months of work authorization during or after their studies. Students are required to complete the ISSS OPT workshop before submitting their OPT request to ISSS. Learn more »
J-1 students: Please note that J-1 students should check with their ISSS adviser or visa sponsor to determine their employment eligibility. Eligible J-1 students have two options to engage in employment — on-campus employment or academic training. Learn more »
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Are you interested in learning about your options to remain in the U.S. after you complete your program of studies? Martin Lawler, a local immigration attorney, will present information on employment options for F-1 students after the completion of their studies. The presentation will focus on the H-1B Work Visa, however, information on the TN NAFTA, L-1 Multi-national Organization, and P-1 Athlete or Entertainer in a Group visas will also be provided. Lawler will also provide basic information on the family-based or employment-based Green Card application process. The workshop is scheduled for Feb. 22, 5:30–6:45 p.m. The sign-up link will be available soon.
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Join GoinGlobal, a platform to find jobs and internships for international students, for a 60-minute online training to quickly zero in on the available job and internship resources. Register here » Also, learn more about the H-1B visa lottery system, how to qualify for it, the timeline limitations involved in applying, and the H-1B cap-exempt organizations that can submit applications outside of the standard lottery process. Attend their H-1B workshop happening on Feb. 14. Register here » | |
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Which companies are actually hiring international students? How do I make my application stand out? Get your questions answered by experts working in the field and hear from our former ISA President, Anson Tan.
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|  | SAVE THE DATES for Job Fest 2024!
Online: Monday, March 4 | 5–7 p.m.
In-person: Tuesday, March 5 | 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
McLaren Conference Center
Job Fest is a great way to get a leg up with companies that interest you. Come meet hiring employers in person or interact with recruiters at the virtual job fest through video, audio, or chat. For the in-person job fest, dress business casual and bring plenty of resumes . While you wait, check out USF's Career Services Center website for career advice and tips on writing your CV and getting ready for your interview. | |
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|  Want to get exclusive access to the VIP Networking session with employers before all the attendees? Volunteer for Career Services Center during their Job Fest event on March 4 and get additional time to talk with the recruiters, enjoy complimentary lunch and refreshments, and earn community service hours while spending time with friendly Career Services staff. Express your interest by filling out the sign-up form »
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This February, and year-round, take time to honor and reflect upon the sacrifices, milestones, and achievements of the Black community in the country and around the world. The Black Achievement Success and Engagement (BASE) initiative has a lot of events planned out, check out the events here » | |
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Student Travel Feature: Chengdu, China
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"My trip to Chengdu was unforgettable. Along with five friends, I visited Chengdu, China, last summer. Apart from the most mundane, yet extremely joy-laden interactions between us, the trip was highlighted by tea drinking in a famous teahouse. Tea drinking at teahouses is a feature of Chengdu; it showcases the cozy, relaxed lifestyle there. To be honest, the tea was not the best, but the experience of sitting on the antique-like, wooden chairs by the lake and being unbothered by any stress or messy thoughts was surely worth the visit."
– Jerry Tang, Class of 2025, BS in Economics
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If you'd like to share your travel experiences with our international community at USF and be featured in the ISSS newsletter, please fill out this form »
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If you are requesting an immigration document or letter from our office, remember that we request ten business days to process requests. Make sure you plan accordingly so you have enough time to receive your document before you need it. All ISSS requests should be submitted through the MyISSS student portal (log into your MyISSS account, go to Requests & Documents, and select the appropriate icon on the right side of the page). You can view our MyISSS Student Handbook for assistance with your submission.
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Adviser Appointments and Workshops
Appointments can be made online. Please visit the ISSS website to schedule an appointment. Appointments are booked in 15-minute increments. To schedule a workshop, select workshops from the first menu option in our scheduler. Students must complete an OPT workshop before applying for OPT.
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