Resources for International Students
Regardless of your nationality, Career Services is fully committed to assisting you in reaching your career goals. Unfortunately, there isn’t a “guaranteed” way for internationals to find employment in the US. However, Career Services has designed this area of the website to inform you about how we can support your job or internship search, what responsibilities you have in your search, and winning strategies for reaching your goals.
Searching for Positions in Your Home Country
If you grew up in an overseas country, speak the language fluently, have work authorization as well as your personal network there (family, friends, etc.), you are in better position than Career Services to execute a successful job search in your home country.
One way Career Services can be of assistance is by offering you access to the Franklin & Marshall alumni database. This resource may contain valuable contacts in your home country for networking purposes. Visit the Career Services Office in person to access the alumni database.
Searching for Positions in the US
The Most Important Factor In Job Search Success
US corporations have reported that when considering candidates for employment, communications skills are the most important factor (above leadership abilities, analytical skills, etc.). This means that if English is not your first language, you must ensure that your English language proficiency is at the same level as domestic candidates. Therefore, start early and work continuously to improve your communications skills.
Visas and Employment Opportunities
International students studying at Franklin & Marshall with F-1 visas have certain opportunities related to their employment in the US:
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT): This option allows students to work full-time during the summer in off-campus internships.
• Optional Practical Training (OPT): This opportunity allows graduates to work for 12 months in the US in a position directly related to their field of study.
It is crucial that you work closely with the Office of International Programs to learn more about (and take advantage of) these opportunities.
Graduates who get a full-time offer of employment may be sponsored by their employer for an H-1B visa that permits three years of full-time employment in the US and is renewable for an additional three years.
Visas and Employers
In the US job market, employers are familiar with the legal process required for hiring domestic candidates, but they are often not familiar with the requirements for hiring internationals. In addition, employers may anticipate that there will be additional costs and work associated with hiring an international candidate (for instance, to sponsor them for an H-1B visa), and that the hiring process may not be successful if the government’s visa cap has been reached for that year.
Hence, it is critical that you become an expert on the employment policies related to your visa (including what the employer’s responsibilities will be and the steps required to hire you). Approach your role in your search as being both a “job or internship seeker” and also a “visa consultant” so that you can answer questions employers may have and explain to them how easy it can be to hire you.
H-1B Resources
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services H-1B Frequently Asked Questions
US Department of Labor Foreign Labor Disclosure Data
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services H-1B Statistical Reports
