Resources for International Students

Academic Internship Program
Job & Internship Search Strategies
Career Center Resource Library
Talking to Employers about Work Authorization

Academic Internship Program - Application Process for International Students

1. Contact the Center for Global Engagement (internationaloffice@rmu.edu) to ensure eligibility for an off campus internship and understand the potential limitations.
  • You must complete one year of full-time enrollment (Fall/Spring).
  • Your internship must be related to your studies and major.
  • F1 students can only work 20 hours per week while taking other courses.
  • Full-time CPT is typically only an option in Summer (as long as you do not take other courses).
  • CPT/immigration approval is tied to your academic class dates. For example, if the class is from August 28 to December 15, your work authorization is from August 28 to December 15.
  • Enrollment in an internship course through the Academic Internship Program is required for paid internships and highly recommended for unpaid internships.
2. Review the Academic Department Criteria for Internships.
3. Find an Internship.
4. Submit an application on Revolution using the appropriate form.
  • Be sure to include ALL required information.
  • You must attach your most recent resume to the application and upload it on Handshake.
  • You must attach the Required Employer Information (a PDF of the email response from your employer).
  • Your employer must be approved in Handshake. (Please contact the Career Center if you have questions.)
  • Application Form
5. The Career Center will review your application for completeness and accuracy.
  • If there are any questions about the Required Employer Information that you attached, the Career Center may reach out to your employer to obtain additional details.
  • If your employer is not approved in Handshake, the Career Center will contact your employer about the registration and approval process. (The length of time varies on how long this process may take.)
  • If there is anything further that is needed from you, the Career Center will reach out to you directly.
6. The Career Center will forward your application to the appropriate Department Head.

The Department Head will review your application:

  • Review if you have met the Department Criteria for your major.
  • Verify there is room in your Degree Audit for internship credits.
  • Review the Required Employer Information.
  • Give the final approval or denial.
7. You will receive a notification from Revolution of the decision. If approved, the Department Head will let you know the following:
  • name of course you need to register for/or will be registered for
  • who your faculty instructor is
  • where the internship course will be located on your Degree Audit in Banner
8. If approved for the academic internship via the Revolution process:
  • Provide the Center for Global Engagement with a letter or email from the company offering you the job that verifies the dates you will be employed, hours per week you will be working, and the job description.
  • Complete CPT application found here.
9. CPT approval is listed on your I20.
  • Wait to begin any internship work until the CPT approval is listed on your I20.
10. Repeat the process.
  • Repeat the process if the internship employer wants you to continue beyond a semester or if you have another internship opportunity for a future semester.
Contact Information

If you have any questions, please contact:

Linda Graziani (RSBUS)- grazianil@rmu.edu
Beth Miller (SEMS/SIHSS/SNEHS)- millerb@rmu.edu

Job & Internship Search Strategies for International Students

Before searching for a position through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT), consult with the Center for Global Engagement (CGE) to discuss your eligibility, the immigration criteria, and the application process. Contact the CGE via email at internationaloffice@rmu.edu. Refer to the CGE’s International Student Employment website for more information. To apply for academic credit for an internship through the Academic Internship Program, please refer to the Application Process for International Students.

In EVERY case, the Center for Global Engagement must also be notified BEFORE you begin working (internationaloffice@rmu.edu).

Search Strategies

Understanding the U.S. Hiring Process & How to Market Yourself
  • Since the job search process can differ by country, utilize Career Center resources to become familiar with standards and expectations in the U.S. for resumes, cover letters and interviewing.
  • Market the unique strengths you offer as an international student such as proficiency in multiple languages, global/ cultural awareness, adaptability to new environments, flexibility, problem-solving and resourcefulness.
Understanding the Pittsburgh & U.S. Job Market

Identify occupations/fields in demand to target your search. Pittsburgh Resources:

  • Pittsburgh Business Times (latest news about Pittsburgh businesses, available in the RMU Library)
  • Pittsburgh Technology Council (provides a link to TEQ Magazine, the definitive resource for and about technology and emerging growth companies across southwestern PA, and the Pittsburgh Tech Map, featuring more than 600 tech companies by category)

Consider geographic areas with a low unemployment rate (especially for full-time positions/OPT).

Job Postings & Internet Sites

Handshake

  • Log in to your Handshake profile.
  • Click the “Jobs” link and enter your search criteria. On the initial page, you may enter a job title, employer or keyword in the search box. Click “All Filters” for additional search options including Work Authorization:
    - Jobs that do not require US work authorization
    - Jobs that are eligible for US visa sponsorship
    - Jobs that are open to candidates with Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and/or Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Additional Sites

Employer Research/Contacting Employers
  • Identify companies/organizations of interest by using the Employers section of Handshake. You may search by Keyword, Location, Employer Size, and Industry.
  • Learn about organizations through the Pittsburgh Business Times Book of Lists which contains a list of the largest companies/organizations for various fields (available in the RMU Library).
  • Target global organizations including organizations from your home country that operate in the United States.
  • Check organization websites and look for links such as “Careers” or “Employment” to search for internship or job postings. Sometimes these links may appear in a “Contact Us” section. Apply to any postings of interest.
  • If you are interested in the organization but do not see any postings, consider contacting them to inquire about options. Most websites will include a general contact email address. Send a professional email introducing yourself, your educational background and any related work experience/projects/skills. Indicate your interest in the organization and inquire if they have any internship opportunities or positions available.
Top Employers for CPT & OPT
Networking
  • Speak with your networking contacts to learn about career options and ask for internship and job search advice.
  • Start with people you know: family, friends, professors, advisors, staff, neighbors, etc.
  • Join professionally focused clubs and organizations on campus and attend meetings. Ask other student members about their internship experiences. Search Revolution for RMU clubs and organizations.
  • Consider joining a professional association related to your field and attending local meetings. Ask faculty for suggestions of professional associations related to your major. Some associations also share job postings.
  • Utilize LinkedIn to connect with alumni and other professionals working in your field.
  • Refer to the Networking Quick Tips and the Job Search Curriculum (networking) in Big Interview for more info.
Job Fairs & Networking Events
  • Refer to the “Events” link on Handshake for a list of upcoming job fairs and networking events.
  • Research the employers who will be attending.
  • Practice how you will introduce yourself.
  • Make sure your resume is tailored and error-free.

 

Career Center Resource Library

The Resource Library provides access to a variety of helpful resources including Handshake, Big Interview, Vault and Career Quick Tips. 

Handshake, the Career Center’s job posting and event management system, offers the option to filter job postings by work authorization including jobs open to candidates with Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and/or Optional Practical Training (OPT).  Vault features job search blog articles tailored to international students.  Big Interview provides tips for students who speak English as a second language and students who are unfamiliar with how the American job interview may differ from interviews in other countries.

Talking to Employers about Work Authorization

Understanding and communicating work authorization to your potential employer can be hard to navigate as an F1 international student. Use the resources on this webpage to help prepare for and answer some common questions you may get from employers. Here you can also find a helpful handout about CPT and OPT you can share with potential employers.  This information was provided by the Center for Global Engagement.

What is required to hire you as an F1 international student?
  • During their academic program F1 students are eligible for internships with CPT (Curricular Practical Training). The employer does not need to pay any fees or do any paperwork for this work approval. RMU will assist the student with the steps for approval. If hired, all the employer needs to provide the student is an offer letter listing dates of employment, hours per week they will work, and a job description. Once CPT is approved, the student can get a Social Security Number and work with your organization the same as any other employee. 
    • Students must complete at least one year of study before they can be approved for CPT.
    • It is important to note that the student may only work a maximum of 20 hours per week during semester class sessions, but can work over 20 hours during the school breaks (e.g., summer). 
    • CPT is approved on a semester basis. So if you want the student to work for you longer than one semester, they will need to get CPT approval again.
  • Upon completion of their academic program, F1 students are eligible to apply for OPT (Optional Practical Training). For this option the student works with RMU and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to process their application and receive work authorization. Again, the employer does not pay any fees nor do any paperwork for this work approval. The student will provide you with an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card. This will show their work authorization dates. Once OPT is approved, the student can get a Social Security Number and work with your organization the same as any other employee.
What is the expectation of an employer for CPT and OPT?
  • CPT: 
    • Provide student with an offer of employment listing dates of employment, hours per week they will work, and a job description
    • Request a copy of I-20 showing CPT approval from the student
  • OPT: 
    • Provide student with an offer of employment listing position title, start date, hours per week
    • Provide student with Name/Address/EIN of Employer and Name/Phone/Email of Supervisor
    • Request a copy of the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from student
  • STEM OPT:
    • Offer the student a paid position
    • Complete the I983 training plan with the student
    • Complete the 12 month and 24 month review on the I983 training plan with student
    • Be e-verified
Will my company be required to sponsor you while on CPT/OPT?
  • No, there is no financial obligation from the company towards the student while they are on approved CPT or OPT.
  • All CPT/OPT applications and fees are the responsibility of the student.
Are there any limitations to the work an F1 student can do?
  • Students are not eligible for CPT (internships) until one year of study has been completed.
  • Work must be related to their degree program of study.
  • During semester class sessions, students may only work a maximum of 20 hours per week.
  • During school breaks or on post completion OPT, students can be approved to work more than 20 hours per week. 
  • Employment can be paid or unpaid, unless the student is on STEM OPT.  STEM OPT must be paid.
When can F1 students begin working?
  • While on CPT, the student can begin working as soon as the CPT authorization is listed on their I20 and the start date has arrived. It may take a couple of weeks for a SSN to be approved and mailed to the student. It is up to the employer if the student will need to wait to begin working without the SSN.
    • CPT applications go through an internal review at RMU, so it can take up to a few weeks to process once the student provides the offer letter to the relevant campus offices.
  • While on OPT, the student can begin working as soon as their OPT is approved and the start date on their EAD has arrived.
    • USCIS processes OPT applications and most typically take around three months to be reviewed and approved.
    • Students can pay an additional fee for premium processing to shorten that time to one month.
    • Choosing a EAD start date:
      • Students choose this at the time of application. It cannot be changed once they apply.
      • For post completion OPT, they can choose any date after their program ends up to the last day of their 60 day grace period (the time all F-1 students have to leave the US after their degree program ends).
      • The start date will be changed to the date of USCIS approval if the processing time (typically 3 months) goes beyond the requested start date.
Will F1 students need sponsorship to continue working after the approved CPT/OPT period?
  • No sponsorship is required during the authorization period of CPT or OPT.
  • Upon the end of their CPT or OPT authorization period, an F1 student would need employer sponsorship for another authorization such as an H1b to continue with employment.
  • For students, answering this question on job applications can be difficult. Often it is asked as “Do you need sponsorship?” While on CPT or OPT the answer to this question is no. However, employers often really mean to ask “will you eventually need sponsorship?” The answer to that question would be yes.
    • We do advise that students answer yes to this question as not to create a situation where the employer feels surprised by your immigration status.
    • If asked during an interview or conversation with the employer, this is an opportunity to explain your CPT/OPT approval and the duration you would be able to work for them without any sponsorship requirements on the employer's part.
How long can a student work without employer sponsorship?
  • CPT (internships) is approved on a semester basis (typically 3 months maximum). Students can do multiple semesters of CPT but are required to get approval every semester. Upon completion of their program, they can typically work on OPT as well.
  • With OPT all students can work for at least one full year. Additionally students who are in the Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) fields (per the government's list of majors) working in a paid position for an e-verified employer can work for an additional two years, if their OPT STEM extension application is approved.
  • Upon completion of their OPT time period, F1 students would need sponsorship by the employer for another visa type to continue working.
Who should employers contact if they have questions about these requirements for hiring an F1 student?

 

Adapted from: NYU Website