International Student Resources
The Office of Career Management can assist you in your career and internship search.
Undergraduate International Students
- Meet with your career advisor (schedule appointment via Handshake)
- Review your resume at least once each academic year
- Understand the CPT/OPT process
- Visit one employer during Employer of the Day events
- Set up your Handshake profile close to 100% completion
- Upload your resume on Handshake
- Set “My Career Interests” on Handshake
- Set up your LinkedIn profile
- Are you familiar with the Career Closet to find professional wear
- What student clubs interest you?
- Optional: complete BA2600 Undergraduate Speaker Series or BA2601 Job Search Strategies Course
- Visit “What Can I Do With This Major?” on Explore Careers page
- Follow Office of Career Management on LinkedIn and Instagram
- Visit our office in Gerlach Hall to take a professional headshot
- Bookmark OCM Room Reservation page to book space for group study meetings or an interview
- Complete the Qualified Undergraduate Interview Candidate program
- Bookmark Big Interview website for free interview practice and AI feedback on your resume
- Download the Chrome extension "Ultimate H1B Sponsor Checker"
- How to create your resume
- Networking
- Sample LinkedIn Message to Connect with Alumni
- Hello Buckeye, I am currently a Fisher College of Business student specializing in Finance. I am hoping to connect with you to gain insight and advice about working as an analyst. Thank you for considering!
- Sample LinkedIn Message to Connect after career fairs
- Hello Buckeye, It was great meeting you at the Fisher Fall Career Fair. I really appreciated the time you took to speak with me about the opportunities at ABC Company. I hope to stay connected with you. Thank you!
- Sample Self-Introduction
- Introduction for Full time: My name is __________. I will be graduating in May with a degree in ________ and I am seeking full time positions focused in _(what career role or field interests you?)__. I am interested in working with _(Company Name)__ because _(why does this company stand out to you?) __.
- Introduction for Internship: My name is _________. I am a junior majoring in ________ and I am seeking a summer internship. I am interested in interning with _(Company Name)_ because __(why does this company stand out to you?)_____.
- Sample LinkedIn Message to Connect with Alumni
Undergrad CPT Advice
Curricular practical training (CPT) is a type of off-campus work authorization for F-1 students during their academic program (prior to graduation). CPT is defined in the federal regulations to be "alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school. CPT is an integral part of an established curriculum."
To be eligible to apply for CPT, students must:
- Currently be in F-1 status
- Have been enrolled in a full course of study for at least one academic year (exceptions may be made for students in graduate programs requiring off-campus work during the first year of study)
- Plan to be enrolled through the duration of the CPT
- Have an off-campus job offer, such as an internship
Application procedure
- Log in and complete the student section of the CPT application - please make sure to list your Career Advisor on the CPT Application form
- On the application, you will need to upload your job offer letter printed on official business letterhead and containing the following details:
- Job title and brief job description
- Exact dates of employment
- Number of hours of work per week
- Physical place of employment
- After completion, the application will then be routed to your business career advisor for approval and then to the Office of International Affairs for review and processing
You must apply at least five business days before your requested CPT start date, and you may only begin work on CPT after receiving your new Form I-20, showing the CPT authorization on page 2.
We recommend that you apply for CPT prior to the start date of the term in which you will be working, so as to avoid late fees for your CPT course enrollment.
Additionally, please note that:
- CPT may only be authorized for a maximum of 20 hours per week during the academic year
- Students may work full time (beyond 20 hours per week) under the following circumstances:
- During official breaks, such as winter or spring break
- During an authorized summer vacation term
- CPT may be authorized on a per-semester basis only. If your position will last more than one academic term, you must submit new application materials before the start of the new term.
Resources
For Undergraduate International Students, the Office of Career Management offers an extensive interview preparation program called QUIC (Qualified Undergraduate Interview Candidate). As part of this program, students complete a series of modules designed to help them learn how to interview successfully. Students also complete a mock interview and receive personalized feedback on their interviewing skills. Completion of QUIC is not required for graduation, but is required in order for students to be eligible to participate in on-campus interviews.
As part of the QUIC program, International Students are also required to complete an International Student Online Workshop. This workshop covers many topics including the CPT process, employer expectations, and job search strategies for international students. The workshop requirement can be completed on Carmen . To access the online workshop on CARMEN, under “My Courses” you should see the “Office of Career Management – Undergraduate International Student Workshop”.
For more information about QUIC, visit our Become QUIC web page.
Graduate International Students
- Meet with your career advisor (schedule appointment via Handshake)
- Review your resume at least once each academic year
- Understand the CPT/OPT process
- Visit one employer during Employer of the Day events
- Complete My Career Management course on Carmen
- Set up your Handshake profile close to 100% completion
- Upload your resume on Handshake
- Set “My Career Interests” on Handshake
- Set up your LinkedIn profile
- Are you familiar with the Career Closet to find professional wear
- What student clubs interest you?
- Visit “What Can I Do With This Major?” on Explore Careers page
- Follow Office of Career Management on LinkedIn and Instagram
- Visit our office in Gerlach Hall to take a professional headshot
- Bookmark OCM Room Reservation page to book space for group study meetings or an interview
- Bookmark Big Interview website for free interview practice and AI feedback on your resume
- Download the Chrome extension "Ultimate H1B Sponsor Checker"
- How to create your resume
- Networking
- Sample LinkedIn Message to Connect with Alumni
- Hello Buckeye, I am currently a Fisher College of Business student specializing in Finance. I am hoping to connect with you to gain insight and advice about working as an analyst. Thank you for considering!
- Sample LinkedIn Message to Connect after career fairs
- Hello Buckeye, It was great meeting you at the Fisher Fall Career Fair. I really appreciated the time you took to speak with me about the opportunities at ABC Company. I hope to stay connected with you. Thank you!
- Sample Self-Introduction
- Introduction for Full time: My name is __________. I will be graduating in May with a degree in ________ and I am seeking full time positions focused in _(what career role or field interests you?)__. I am interested in working with _(Company Name)__ because _(why does this company stand out to you?) __.
- Introduction for Internship: My name is _________. I am a junior majoring in ________ and I am seeking a summer internship. I am interested in interning with _(Company Name)_ because __(why does this company stand out to you?)_____.
- Sample LinkedIn Message to Connect with Alumni
Graduate Student CPT Process
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a benefit of your F-1 visa and authorization is required for any off-campus employment (paid or unpaid) in which you wish to engage. You are not eligible to receive CPT until you have been enrolled in a full time program for one academic year.
*Please note: International Students are only legally authorized to work on short-term projects if the work occurs on-site/at the employer's physical location, related to their field of study and involves direct supervision. CPT will not be issued for remote or independent projects performed remotely.
If you are eligible and plan to begin or continue an off-campus internship position, you must apply for or renew your CPT Authorization, and your employer must generate a new offer letter every semester.
In order to begin the CPT process, please send a copy of your offer letter to the appropriate career consultant below:
- MAcc students: Steve Singer
- MHRM and SMF students: Jill George
- MBA students: Jamie Mathews-Mead
International Workshops
- September 24th 2pm - 3pm (in person & virtual) - Student Legal Services (View Recording)
- October 24th 2pm - 3pm (in person & Virtual) - Workplace cultural norms (OCM) (View Recording)
- November 13th 11:30am - 12:30pm (in person & Virtual) - OIA (View Recording)
- March 20th 12pm - 1pm (Virtual) -FCOB: Understanding OPT: Steps & Timeline for International Students View Recording
- April 7th 12pm - 1pm (virtual) - FCOB: Navigating U.S. Immigration: Visa Insights for International Students - Mark Rhoads View Recording
Additional Resources
US Workplace Best Practices
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GoinGlobal is an online website that gives students and faculty access to career resources in more than 40 countries and 53 cities in the United States and Canada. Students will also benefit from the USA City Guides, which contain career and employment resources for the 40 largest metropolitan areas in the United States. Included in this database are job search resources, employment outlook, professional networking groups, cost of living, and major employer listings by industry sector, non-profits and volunteer opportunities. Additionally H1B employer listings are listed for all 50 states.
AI Best Practices
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