Job Opportunities for International Students in USA

The reason why the US is a top favourite for students looking for higher education abroad is that, other than a world-class education, the country offers a plethora of job opportunities for international students. Higher education in USA is not merely about academics; it is

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

pretty much practical and research-based, which helps students to learn essential skills required to bag good job opportunities.

Thus, a huge number of students look for undergraduate education in USA as well as MS in USA. In fact, the number is also high for students looking for an MBA in USA and a PhD in USA, especially for Indian students.

• The total number of international students enrolled in US colleges in the year 2019 was 1,095,299 which was 5.5% of the total US student body
• Over the last 10 years, the number of international students pursuing Business Management programmes in American universities has more than doubled

The compelling factor behind an increase in the number of enrolments, as mentioned earlier, is the excellent work opportunities available.

Let us look at the different work opportunities available for international students in USA.

International students having an F1 (student) visa are allowed to legally work at the following places, as outlined by the Department of Homeland Security.

On-Campus Employment

One of the most popular choices for international students is working on campus. One can opt to work in cafeterias, computer centres, library, university office (as a receptionist) etc. One could also work as a research assistant or teaching assistant. One can work up to 20 hours per week during the school session.

International students can also work full-time on-campus during holidays and vacation. On campus jobs can help one earn anywhere between 7 and 12 dollars an hour, depending on the kind of work.

Do keep in mind that if you have an F1 visa, you are not allowed to work off campus as it is illegal and can have severe consequences.

Off-Campus Employment

Anything not affiliated with a university is called an off-campus job. To be eligible for off-campus jobs, one must have completed their first academic year. It is illegal for F1 visa holders to work off campus. However, under exceptional circumstances, like a severe financial crunch, one can work only if given an exceptional waiver by the school.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

This is a temporary employment authorisation for F1 visa non-immigrant foreign students in the United States while they are enrolled in a college-level degree programme. The maximum number of CPT authorisations for any student is three per degree programme.

CPT must be completed before graduation. It can be done part-time (20 hours or less a week) or full-time (20 hours or more a week). Do be mindful of the fact that if you work full-time for 12 months in CPT, you will stand ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

This programme allows international students in the United States to work temporarily up to 12 months.

During the OPT period authorisation, a student should be working or actively seeking employment. There are limits to what jobs count as employment and to the number of days you may remain unemployed.

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Part Time Jobs in USA for Indian Students

Part time job is very crucial for Indian students who plan to study abroad. It gets very hectic to manage your study and work life. There are several methods to make additional money in the USA for Indian students from all over the world. Part time employment is hectic but teaches you a comprehensive understanding of students’ culture and values. You are only permitted to work for 20 hours a week on campus. Students can work up to 40 hours per week when classes are not in session.

Types of Part-Time Jobs in USA

When studying abroad, you may discover that working part-time might help you pay a few additional expenses or support leisure activities and travel that would otherwise be out of your budget.

• On-Campus Job
• Off- Campus Job

On-Campus Job

Research Study Assistant: Research assistants are needed in scientific laboratories. They scan the internet and other similar sources for information, statistics, surveys, and other published research to aid their instructors in their research.

Teaching Assistants: Perfect-part time job if you want to be around your academics outside of school or college hours, because this position is not freely available, you must ask your professor to assist him in teaching.

Catering Assistants and Food Runners: Catering assistants may work as servers in restaurants, in cafeterias, or as front-office personnel.

Library Page: It is the most tranquil employment on campus, where you may also pursue your own studies. A library page’s duties include primarily sitting at the desk, keeping track of what books are in and out, assisting students in finding books, and performing other library tasks.

University Campus Tour Guide: Universities in the United States feature sprawling campuses with historic architecture and dispersed departmental buildings. You can apply for this position if you are familiar with the university campus and have a warm and outgoing personality.

Off-Campus Job

Call Centers: One of the best chance for anyone who is outgoing and wants to enhance their communication abilities. Although this is a well-paying profession, the needed communication and language abilities have to be above average. Call center job openings may be found on websites such as Simply Hired, college grad, and others.

Language Interpreters and Translators: The United States conducts extensive commercial trade with nations such as Spain, Japan, Korea, India, and China. Language translators are required to deal with these foreign clients.

Tourist Guide: Depending on your school/college location, you can work as a part-timer at an amusement park or a resort. You can pick from several shifts based on your school hours and get paid hourly.

Top 10 Part-Time Jobs in USA for Indian Students

• Content Writer
• HR recruiter
• Online tutor
• Web developer
• Video editor
• Graphic Designer
• Translator
• Social media management
• Data entry agent
• Business development management

Part-Time Jobs in USA for Indian Students Salary

How to Find Part-Time Jobs in USA

Part time employment is hectic but teaches you a comprehensive understanding of students’ culture and values. You are only permitted to work for 20 hours a week on campus. A part-time job in the United States might be difficult, especially if you are an overseas student with no professional network.

Typical University Offices/ Student Union/ Career Services: International students may also benefit themselves from specialised career services that are provided by the US institutions, which may give not just training but also internship and part-time on-campus possibilities.

Online Portals: If you are unable to locate work offline, one of the most efficient ways to find part-time work is through online job boards such as LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and others.

Job Opportunities in the USA for International Students

Being an International student in one of the top educational countries in the world . While working in the US During your study time period or even after graduating. Most foreign students studying in the US basically start their professional journey through on-campus jobs which is not easy to deal with, but helps you to cover your expenses and even helps you build a professional network.

Top 5 On-Campus Jobs for International Students in the US

• College Teaching Assistant
• Student Library Assistant
• Mail Room Attendant
• Barista
• Campus Ambassador

Top 5 Off-Campus Jobs for International Students in the US

• Social Media Assistant
• Driver
• Retail Sales Associate
• Cashier
• Bank Teller

Post-Study Work Opportunities in the US

Although the visa scenario is one of the most debatable topics, as all the international students from all over the world often tend to pursue work in the US after completing their studies.

• Work on H-1B Visa: The H-1B visa is granted to immigrants who are employed in a speciality occupation at US organisations. An H-1B visa holder has a higher education degree or its equivalent. The specialised field could be biotechnology, architecture, engineering, chemistry, computing, statistics, medicine and health, physical sciences, journalism, and more. The duration of an H-1B visa is three years, which can further be extended to six years.
• Work on EB-5 Visa: The EB-5 Green Card permits immigrants to become permanent residents of the US if found eligible. In order to be considered for the visa, one has to invest a minimum of $900,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), which manages to employ at least 10 Americans.

Job Opportunities After MBA in the US

Rules in the USA to Get Part-Time Jobs

A US degree is amongst the best and hence the most expensive in the world. The estimated cost of living for an international student in the US is about $18,000 per annum, which averages to about $1500 a month. Students find themselves in situations where they are required to take up part-time jobs to comfortably sustain themselves. One thing you should keep in mind is that breaking some rules in the USA will definitely put your status as a student in jeopardy and you may even get deported.

• Working hours limitation
• On-campus jobs only
• Consult your DSO ( Designated School Official)