Job for International Students in USA: How to Find Jobs in USA for Indian Students?

Job Opportunities in USA for International Students

US universities aim to prepare job-ready graduates who are counted among the most employable worldwide. There are various opportunities for you to work even while you are studying. You can take on-campus or off-campus part-time jobs or opt for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). Here is a detailed discussion on the job opportunities in USA for international students:

On-Campus Jobs

Even while studying in the US, your F-1 visa makes you eligible to work part-time up to 20 hours per week and full-time during vacation. Working on-campus is one of the most preferred options among international students. You can expect to earn around $7-12 per hour depending on the type of work. Let us take a look at the different on-campus job opportunities in USA for international students:

• Library assistant
• Barista
• Teaching assistant
• Campus tour guide
• Campus tech support
• Campus ambassador
• Peer tutor
• University bookstore assistant
• Receptionist

View more on Campus jobs for international students

Off-Campus Jobs

To work in off-campus jobs for international students in USA, you must obtain permission from your institution. An international student with a F-1 student visa is eligible for off-campus jobs only after completing the first year of study in US. There are several off-campus job opportunities ideal for international students willing to work part-time. Take a look at the various opportunities of off-campus jobs in USA for Indian students:

• Retail sales associate
• Store-keeper
• Babysitter
• Dogwalker
• Bank teller
• Cashier
• Driver
• Social media assistant
• Call center
• Translator
• Tourist guide
• Data entry
• Content writer
• Graphic designer

View part-time jobs for international students in USA

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

While holding a F-1 student visa, you can obtain CPT which is a temporary employment authorization to do internships, co-ops or jobs in your field of study or related to it. It can be paid or unpaid and you can work full-time or part-time. CPT needs to be completed before graduation and a maximum of 3 CPT authorizations can be obtained by a student per degree program. Once you have worked 12 months for CPT you become ineligible for OPT.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

OPT is another way of staying in the US for a period of 1 year. It is different from CPT because you have the choice to do OPT either before or after completion of your program. If you are a student from a STEM background you can apply for the STEM-OPT extension and take jobs for international students in USA for 24 months after graduating.

What is the difference between CPT and OPT?

Job Opportunities After MS in USA

Let us explore the international student jobs in the USA, popular job titles and average salaries after MS:

What are part time job opportunities in US?

Job Opportunities After MBA in USA

Here is a table with some of the job titles offered to international students after MBA in USA:

Guide to MBA STEM courses in US

How to Find a Job in USA for International Students?

If you happen to graduate from one of the leading universities in USA, you will definitely land yourself a well paying job. The first step before you start looking for international students job opportunities in USA is to prepare an up-to-date CV and tailor it every time according to the job profile before applying. While making your CV, be sure to highlight details that will catch the eye of the employers including academic and professional achievements, skills and prior work experience.

Here is how you can boost your chances to look for jobs in USA for Indian students:

• University career services: The whole purpose of university career services is to help international students accomplish their career goals. Infact US universities are known for dedicated career service departments that not only assist students on how can international students get a job in USA but also with CV and interview preparation, 100% placement assistance, organize webinars and events that help in skill building and a lot more.
• Job fairs and career events: Job fairs and career events are organized with the aim to offer information about job openings, pay scale, academic requirements and how to get job in USA for international students. Therefore, whether your university organizes any such event or you happen to know about any job fairs being organized near you, register yourself for it.
• Social media platforms: Social media has gained a lot of importance lately as an effective tool for job search. LinkedIn is the most popular platform that helps you find and apply for various jobs, building professional contacts, staying up-to-date with latest industry developments as well as requirements. You can also count on Facebook and Twitter to find jobs through advertisements.
• Recruitment agencies: Such agencies will be of great help to refine your job search depending on the type of job, organizations you are interested in, salary expectations, location, etc. Websites such as Indeed, Monster, CareerBuilder, US.jobs are also useful.
• Networking: Networking is quite essential to stay informed about vacant jobs for international students in USA and get ideas about how to get job in USA for international students.
• Newspapers: Local and national newspapers are one of the most convenient sources to start your job search and apply for international student jobs in the USA.

Post Study Work Visa for International Student Jobs in the USA

Students with a F-1 student visa can find job opportunities in USA for international students. But in order to stay back and work in the US, it is important to obtain a post study work visa. There are 2 types of work visa that an international student with a job in the US can get, take a look:

1. H-1B Visa
2. EB-5 Visa

Here is what you need to know about the eligibility criteria to get one of these types of post study work visa for international student jobs in the USA:

1. H-1B Visa

This is the most common type of post study work visa that an international student applies for. With a H-1B visa you can live and work in the US for 6 years. To be eligible for this type of visa you will have to prove to USCIS that you are qualified for the position and have a sponsoring employer.

2. EB-5 Visa

The EB-5 visa is to obtain permanent residency in the US if the eligibility criteria is satisfied. The requirement to be eligible is to invest at least $900,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) that manages at least 10 Americans.

Learn more on USA student visa

Around 70% of the jobs in the US are filled through networking, therefore having a strong professional network is imperative. To grab the best job opportunities in USA for international students, take help from various job hunt tools and carry your confidence with yourself. Speak to our Yocket counselors today and get complete guidance on how to find a job in USA for international students and more!

Frequently Asked Questions about Jobs for International Students in USA

Ques. What are the most in-demand fields to look for jobs in the US?

Ans. Some of the most in-demand fields to look for jobs in the US include IT and software, healthcare, computer science, business and management among others.

Ques. Can international students get jobs in the US after graduating?

Ans. Yes, international students can get jobs in the US after graduating with an OPT extension that allows graduates to live and work in the US for 1 year.

Ques. What are the best part-time jobs for international students in USA?

Ans. The best part-time job opportunities in USA for Indian students include campus ambassador, teaching assistant, receptionist, library assistant, tutor, babysitter, dog walker, barista, sales assistant, storekeeper, etc.

Ques. How much can international students earn from jobs in the US?

Ans. International students can earn around $60,000-90,000 in entry-level jobs depending on the academic qualification, type of job, organization, etc.

Ques. Can I change my F-1 visa to a Green Card?

Ans. Yes, one way to change your F-1 visa to Green Card is by applying for an EB-1 visa. Getting a green card is subject to fulfilling a number of requirements which is why international students often find it difficult to get one.