Interning in the USA as an international student is a valuable opportunity for resume building and global recognition. While it involves paperwork and hard work, effective networking and proper documentation during the US school years can lead to significant benefits.
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Discover more about internships in the USA for Indian students and more by reading on!
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Overview of Internships in USA
Getting an internship in the USA for international students and thereby starting “working” is no less than a roller coaster ride! Internships in the USA are entirely based on the strength of your candidacy and your visa paperwork.
Apart from students studying at top universities in the US, foreign university students can also apply for internships and training in the USA. The entire process of finding internship programs in the USA for international students can be a bit time consuming, but definitely worth the wait!
Some of the top industries and fields to pursue an internship in the USA for Indian students are:
- Finance
- Media
- Information technology
- Fashion
- Entrepreneurship
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How to Find an Internship in the USA as an International Student?
You can look for internships in the USA for international students through your university or college. There are also external websites and organizations that offer both unpaid and paid opportunities for students. More so, networking is the best way to look for internships in the USA. Americans love recruiting referrals!
Some websites which can be used to find internships in the USA are:
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Tips to Apply for an Internship in USA
Let us now make you acquainted with some tips to apply for internship programs in USA for international students:
- Apply as soon as possible: The entire US visa process can be time consuming, and would require a lot of hustle in terms of documentation. It is therefore advisable to apply for internships as early as possible!
- Look for authentic websites and organizations: In order to begin with an internship in the USA for international students, it is extremely important to look for only authentic websites and organizations. As an international student, you should go for companies that are familiar with the entire procedure of a US visa as well.
- Look for paid internships: While a majority of internships in the USA are unpaid, you can get hold of a paid internship in the USA for international students with a strong CV. A paid internship in the USA for international students is highly recommended, as it is secure.
- Complete your visa application on time: Even after getting hold of an internship in the USA , it is quite crucial to apply for your US work visa on time. There have also been cases where applicants without a proper work visa are sent back home from the airport itself.
- Networking is the key: Networking is one of the strongest possible ways to get an internship in the US. It is suggested that you stay in touch with your fellow classmates, professors, and other people while in the US!
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Work Visa Requirements for Internships in USA
One of the most important requirements to be eligible for an internship in the US is to appropriately apply for your work visa. There are two types of visas in the US that you can apply for:
- F-1 Visa: Usually, all full time students apply for an F-1 visa to study in the US. With an F-1 visa, full time students can apply for paid and unpaid internships without additional paperwork. F-1 visa students are allowed to work for only 20 hours per week for part-time internships in their curriculum.
- J-1 Visa: Students not enrolled in full time programs can apply for a J-1 visa to work in the US, as trainees. With a J-1 visa, students can work for up to 18 months in academic training. Students not studying in the US can apply for a J-1 Intern visa or J-1 Trainee visa.
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Some generic requirements to pursue an internship in USA include:
- Being registered as a student in your country of residence
- Possessing an English language proficiency certificate
- Age between 18-35 years
- Having a valid passport
- Having a very strong CV or Resume
- Interview
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From the Desk of Yocket
Paid internships in the USA for international students are tedious to get hold of, but definitely worth the time! Internships undoubtedly increase your chances of getting permanent employment in the US and can even help you get a taste of the American work culture, not to mention the most prevalent start-up culture!
Studying abroad and doing internships alongside it can be a task in itself, but with guidance and navigation, anyone and everyone can pull it off with grace. If you are someone who is looking for such guidance or information, then you have come to the right place!
For more information on paid internships in the USA, talk to one of our Yocket Professionals right away!
