One of the perks of studying in a foreign country is getting access to different internships and opportunities on a global level. Apart from enriching your knowledge and offering real-life professional experience, internships are also a great way to earn some pocket money to support your cost of living.
USA being one of the major study abroad destinations, have numerous opportunities for internships in different fields. The US workplace promotes both professional and personal development. But then, how to get internship in USA for international students?
Well, as convenient as it may sound, getting an internship USA can be challenging if you are not aware of the process and pre-requisites. So, in this blog, we will dwell at length on how to get internship in USA and related aspects, to clear all doubts about the same.
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Perks of Internships in the USA
Your professional and personal lives can be enhanced in several ways by opting for an internship while studying in United States. Here is a list of reasons why you should pursue an internship in the USA:
- You will have the chance to strengthen your English language abilities, including pronunciation and vocabulary, while you intern in the United States. Companies respect employees who can communicate clearly and efficiently in English since it is a language that is widely acknowledged.
- You can gain the work experience you need to meet future job requirements by participating in an internship in the United States. You will come across as a flexible individual who is not afraid of confronting new difficulties if you live abroad in the United States. These traits will undoubtedly increase your employability in your future work.
- American internship programs might expose you to a range of duties and obligations. Some businesses might put you in a certain function, while others might let you work in many areas. The knowledge and expertise you learn will also greatly improve your resume.
- One major advantage of interning in the United States is the chance to learn from more seasoned professionals.
- You will have the chance to develop your self-confidence by interning and living in the United States.
Suggested: Know About On-Campus Jobs for International Students in USA
How to get Internship in USA?
One of the best ways to hunt for internships in the USA is through the US universities that you are studying. Additionally, some other websites and organizations provide students with paid and unpaid possibilities. To help you navigate through the process of how to get internship in USA for international students, let us go through the requirements for the same:
1. Visa Requirement
First, you need to make sure you have the appropriate US student visa to work. 4 types of visas will help you secure an internship spot in the USA:
J-1 Visa
Students who are not enrolled full-time in a program may apply for a J-1 visa to work as trainees in the United States. Students can work for 18 months of academic training with a J-1 visa.
F-1 Visa
Typically, all full-time students who wish to study in the US must apply for an F-1 visa. Full-time students on an F-1 visa do not need to complete any supplementary papers to apply for paid or unpaid internships. Students on F-1 visas are only permitted to work twenty hours weekly for part-time internships in respective courses.
CPT
Under CPT, you must have finished your first year of college, and your internship must be connected to your degree program.
OPT
With the permission of US Citizenship and Immigration Services, you are permitted to work full-time in the US for up to 12 months during Optional Practical Training. If you have a degree in a STEM field, you can apply for up to two further years of OPT.
Suggested: Find Out the Difference Between OPT and CPT for International Students
2. Shortlist Trustworthy Organizations
It is crucial that international students exclusively look for reliable websites and organizations while starting their internship in the USA. You may also take guidance from your professors and seniors for such recommendations and suggestions.
3. Create a Strong Resume
In the US, certain universities and colleges provide specialized tools to assist you in developing and maintaining your resume. These include classes that teach you how resumes are made in the US and how they differ from CVs in other nations.
4. Websites for Internships
Now the next step is to search for internships online. Make a list of positions you want to apply for. There are numerous specialized job sites in the US that include both unpaid and internship programs for foreign students:
Is currently the ruler of professional social networking networks and an excellent location to locate internships with major corporations.
Internships.com
Millions of internships for university kids are listed on the Internships.com website, which is owned by Chegg.
Indeed.com
An online employment board Indeed.com lists hundreds of vacant openings and provides tips and sample cover letters, resumes, and other materials.
5. Networking
Another way of securing an internship in the US is ‘Networking’. While studying in the US, it is advised to keep in touch with your classmates, instructors, and other acquaintances.
Suggested: How to Get Graduate Assistantship in USA?
So that was all about how to get an internship in the US. Now let us have a look at some important tips in USA for Indian students:
Top 10 Internships in the USA for International Students
The following list of the top 10 fully sponsored and compensated internship opportunities in the United States is for overseas students:
|
Internship Program |
Duration |
|
RIPS Summer Internships |
9 weeks |
|
World Bank Summer Internship Program |
4 weeks |
|
UNICEF Internship Program |
26 weeks |
|
Infosys Instep Internship |
|
|
Abbott Internship Program |
12 weeks |
|
DreamWorks Internship Program |
12 weeks (part-time) |
|
Evercore Advisory Summer Analyst and Summer Associate Program |
10 weeks |
|
Nickelodeon NICKternship Program |
|
|
MetLife Internship |
10 weeks |
|
CapTech Summer Internship Program |
N/A |
Suggested: All About Part Time Jobs for Indian Students in USA
So that was all about how to find internship in USA. While a candidate's educational background may be taken into consideration when making a hiring decision, most employers are searching for "real-world" traits and abilities that will aid them in running their businesses successfully. And what better way to incorporate these qualities than to apply for internships and get a real taste of the corporate world for yourself? For any further queries, subscribe to Yocket Premium and get the necessary guidance from our team of seasoned professionals!
Frequently Asked Questions About Internships in the USA
Ques. Why get an Internship in the USA?
Ans. Your CV will be more recognizable through prior work experience of internships. When seeking employment prospects, having additional knowledge and experience to list on your resume gives you a significant advantage.
Ques. How to get internship in USA for international students online?
Ans. Many websites have all kinds of paid and unpaid internship opportunities for you to explore. Log in with your credentials and keep looking for good openings.
Ques. Is it necessary for international students to get internships in the USA?
Ans. No. But it is always an added advantage. You could be exposed to a variety of responsibilities and duties through American internship programs. Your résumé will be significantly enhanced by the knowledge and experience you gain.
Ques. Is it difficult to get Paid internships in the USA?
Ans. Yes, it is a tad bit difficult to secure a paid internship because most of the internships in the US are unpaid.
Ques. Do internships also require IELTS/TOEFL proficiency results?
Ans. Yes, they may require you to submit your IELTS/TOEFL results if you are not a native English speaker.