If you want to study at the world’s top schools, consider the US to be your first choice. It is one of the many benefits of studying in the US, where you can experience high-quality education, make new friends, and build your network. Apart from this, you can also gain access to a wide range of resources to learn and grow.

If you are wondering why study in the US as an international student; it is because your chances for future opportunities improve. You can apply for internships and even work full-time at a reputed firm. It’s no wonder that several international students dream of studying, and eventually, working in the US.

Advantages of working in the US

More and more people are choosing to build their careers in the United States. Let’s explore some of the strong reasons for wanting to work in this home of the brave.

• You will discover new places, opportunities, and people

America is an extremely diverse country, from the north to the south, the east and the west. You will find amazing landscapes, massive cities, beaches, canyons, forests, and so much more. Moreover, it’s a country waiting to be explored and give you unique experiences.

• Quick results in the American job market

The American application process is lean and straightforward, which means structured spreadsheets and concise facts. That said, termination protection, paid sick leave, and parental leave may not always be a part of American employment contracts. So, if you are applying to work in an American company, prepare to negotiate and talk about benefits.

• Quality of life and work-life balance

The quality of life in the US is great compared to other countries. You even get to enjoy the work-life balance that most jobs offer, depending on the industry. The work arrangements are flexible, which means you can work part- or full-time. Also, working on days off or working overtime is a big NO in American companies. Your working hours will ideally be 40 hours, give or take.

• Salary offers and payment packages

The pay is better as compared to most countries. Also, taxes are lower, which means you get to keep more of what you make.

• Free treatments

The American company you work at may cover you with free medical insurance, dental insurance, and vision insurance. 

Job opportunities in the USA for international students

You can work in the US while studying or after graduating. Most international students begin their professional journey through on-campus jobs. These jobs help you get by with the various expenses while you are still studying.

On-Campus Employment

F-1 visa holders can work on-campus at the school or at an educationally affiliated off-campus location, which is associated with the school’s established curriculum or part of contractually funded research projects at the postgraduate level. On-campus employment includes work at school premises, such as a bookstore or cafeteria that provides services directly to students. International students must meet certain conditions, such as working part-time (no more than 20 hours per week) and obtaining a certification letter for a Social Security Number. Full-time work is permitted during school breaks, and students must report their work to the designated school official. On-campus work is only permitted while studying and is not available after graduation.

Off-Campus Employment

As an international student studying in the US, you are only allowed to work on-campus during your first year. After that, you may be eligible for off-campus work, but you must meet certain requirements, including obtaining authorization from the Designated School Official, being in good academic standing, and facing extreme financial hardship. You must also obtain a work permit from the USCIS and are still limited to working a maximum of 20 hours per week, with a maximum of 40 hours per week during school breaks. However, not all types of jobs are permitted, and restrictions and requirements apply. Read on to learn about the opportunities available to international students for off-campus work in the US.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

The CPT is a temporary employment authorisation for F1 visa non-immigrant foreign students in America. It offers temporary employment while students are enrolled in a college-level degree programme. This practical training program is a crucial part of every educational institution’s curriculum, providing students with real-world experience in their chosen field of study. This training can take many forms, such as internships, cooperative education jobs, practicums, or any other work experience required to complete your degree.The maximum number of CPT authorisations allowed for any student is three per degree programme.

This training must be completed before graduation, and it can be done part-time (20 hours or less per week) or full-time (20 hours or more per week). You become ineligible for OPT if you work full-time for 12 months in CPT.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a program that provides temporary employment or training opportunities for international students who want to work off-campus. The program is designed to offer foreign students the opportunity to gain practical experience in their field of study. The OPT programme allows international students in the United States to work temporarily for up to 12 months. During the OPT period authorisation, you should be employed or actively seek employment. This programme limits the kind of jobs you can apply for, including the number of days you can remain unemployed.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT)

Students majoring in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics are eligible to apply for a 17-month extension to their OPT. To qualify for the full 24-month extension, you must currently be in a valid period of OPT and have graduated from a SEVP-certified educational institution with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. Additionally, your employer must fulfill the EM OPT Employer Responsibilities.

Work Opportunities for international students in the US after graduation

Applying for an American visa involves a comprehensive set of requirements. It can also get competitive as several international students from across the globe apply to study in the US. Therefore, when you apply for your visa, make sure to meet all requirements and submit documents as requested.

Following are the work visas that you should know about:

Work on H-1B Visa: The H-1B visa is granted to applicants employed in a specialised occupation at US organisations. These visa holders have a higher education degree or its equivalent. The specialised fields include architecture, biotechnology, chemistry, computing, engineering, statistics, medicine and health, physical sciences, journalism, and more. An H-1B visa holder can work in the US for up to three years and is allowed to extend it to six years.

Work on EB-5 Visa: The EB-5 Green Card permits an immigrant to be a permanent resident of the US if found eligible. To be granted this visa, the applicant must invest a minimum of $900,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), which employs at least 10 Americans.

Job opportunities after MBA for international students

There are lucrative job opportunities for international students after they’ve completed their MBA in the US. You can apply to become any of the following specialisations based on your interests.

• Chief Executive Officer
• Chief Financial Officer
• Chief Operating Officer
• Chief Marketing Officer
• Medical Director
• Investment Banker

Getting a part-time job in the US

While studying in the US, you must be able to bear the cost of accommodation/rent, and other living expenses. The average estimated cost of living is about $18000 per year, which amounts to about $1500 per month.

Sustaining the cost of living would require that you get a part-time job. You must also keep in mind the rules to follow including the working hours. You can look for on-campus jobs and consult with your designated school official for the same.

On-campus jobs include:

• Research Study Assistant: You can work as a Research Assistant in science laboratories. Your work would include scanning the internet and similar sources for information, statistics, surveys, and other published research to assist your instructors in their research.

• Teaching Assistant: You can work part-time as an assistant to your academic professor outside of school or college hours. However, this position is not freely available, which means you have to ask your academics if they require assistance.

• Catering Assistants and Food Runners: You can work as a Catering Assistant to serve in restaurants, in cafeterias, or as front-office personnel.

• Library Page: You can work as a library page, where you would have to sit at the library desk and keep track of the books taken in and out. You must also assist other students in finding books and performing other duties related to the library.

• University Campus Tour Guide: Universities in the United States feature sprawling campuses with historic architecture and dispersed departmental buildings. You can apply for the position of University Campus Tour Guide if you are familiar with the university campus. You get the opportunity to talk to new students and learn how to communicate effectively.

Off-campus jobs include:

• Call Centers: Considered one of the toughest jobs to handle in terms of communication and handling disgruntled customers. However, this job opportunity is also considered the best way to improve your communication skills. It’s a well-paying job, but with communication and language abilities to be above average. 

• Language Interpreters and Translators: You can work as a language interpreter and translator, which involves conducting extensive commercial trade with nations such as Korea, Japan, India, China, and Spain. Language translators are also required to deal with foreign clients in this profession.

• Tourist Guide: You can work as a tourist guide, depending on your school or college location. You can work part-time at an amusement park or a resort with shift timings based on your school hours and get paid hourly.

Some of the most common part-time jobs you can find are:

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

Knowing your chances of employment in the US requires guidance. You can connect with our counsellors to understand your chances of getting employed in the US.