International Student Career Development

International student Career Services resources

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Jul 2022 12:53:32 +0000

International student Career Services resources Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 07/11/2022 - 06:53

Career Services helps international students navigate the U.S. job market to increase success in finding a job or internship. Our career development advisors can help you understand what you want to do, and how to get there. Check out these great resources to support your career planning!

International Student Career Resources

Other Career Services Resources

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How to Answer Work Authorization Questions

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 14:38:29 +0000

How to Answer Work Authorization Questions Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 07/21/2021 - 08:38

International students in F-1 status who are seeking off-campus training opportunities often wonder if, how, and when they should ask an employer about visa sponsorship. On internship or job applications, international students may be uncertain about how to answer the questions “Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?” and “Will you now or in the future require visa sponsorship?”

ISSS and CU Boulder Career Services are here to help you navigate how to answer questions like these.

It is important to clarify that sponsorship is associated with a visa/status that is reliant on employment and is filed by an employer - most commonly H-1B sponsorship. Employers do not need to sponsor international students in F-1 status when those students are taking advantage of Optional Practical Training (OPT), a benefit associated with the F-1 status.

So, how do you answer these work authorization questions when applying to jobs?

Question 1: Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?
Answer: Yes

International students in F-1 status have options for off-campus work authorization during their degree program: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). International students in F-1 status who experience severe babyֱ��app hardship because of unforeseen circumstances beyond their control may also be eligible for off-campus work authorization. International students in F-1 status authorized for any of these off-campus work authorizations do not require their employer to sponsor their visa/status.

Remember that beforeworking off-campus, international students in F-1 status must be in an authorized period of CPT or OPT. The eligibility requirements and processing times for each of these two options vary. CPT is authorized by ISSS and takes up to 2 weeks to process. Pre-completion OPT is authorized by USCIS and can take 2-5 months to process. It is a good idea to plan ahead and to reach out to ISSS to discuss these options further.

Question 2: Will you now or in the future require visa sponsorship?
Answer: Yes

This question will typically be answered “yes” by international students in F-1 status because you will need employment-based sponsorship to continue working after your CPT or OPT authorization expires. There are some cases when students may answer “no” if they are planning to return to their home country or pursue additional education once their F-1 work authorization expires or are applying for permanent residency on their own. International students in F-1 status should be prepared to explain to potential employers why they will not need sponsorship in the future if they check “no.”

You might be wondering if answering “yes” to both questions could mean that an employer will not consider you for a position. That is a possibility; however, it is better for that possibility to be addressed early in the application process rather than finding out when you have a job offer that the organization will not be able to support your work authorized in the U.S. in the future. Networking before applying to jobs can help you identify which companies are open to hiring international students.

ISSS is here to help you understand immigration regulations. Career Services is here to help you become more employable. Together, ISSS and Career Services are excited to support you in your career goals!

PLEASE NOTE: The information above is general information regarding work authorization, and is not intended to be legal advice. ISSS cannot function as personal legal counsel, and if you are seeking legal advice you will need retain personal legal counsel.

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Making the Most of Your OPT – How CU’s Career Services Can Help!

Anonymous — Fri, 28 May 2021 15:58:03 +0000

Making the Most of Your OPT – How CU’s Career Services Can Help! Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 05/28/2021 - 09:58

You have probably heard that CU Boulder’s Career Services can help students become more employable, but did you know that even after you graduate, you can utilize all the services that they have to offer? That’s right, as an alumni of CU Boulder, you have lifetime access to Career Services!

So, what services are available to you through Career Services?

CU Boulder Career Services empowers students and alumni to become more employable and find meaningful work by being active participants in the career development process. In addition to the services below, Career Services has a weekly professional support group for students who are searching for an internship or job. While the professional support group is on hiatus for the summer, it will resume in September. You can also connect with Career Services virtually through drop-ins, group advising and individual appointments.

Industry Nights
Industry nights are smaller versions of career fairs that focus on specific industries and networking.
CliftonStrengths and Professional Assessments
Assessments help you find the words to understand yourself, describe yourself, and narrow your professional interests.
Mock Interviews
Practice and perfect your interview skills before the real deal.
Resume and Cover Letter Help
The career development advisors can help you create and edit these essential documents for applying to jobs and internships.
Career Fairs
Career fairs are large events where you can meet with a variety of employers all at once to find jobs and internships.

Can CU Boulder’s Career Services give career advice to an International Student?

Absolutely! As an international student, you might wonder what the work culture in the United States is like. Career Services advisors can help you better understand some of the cultural differences you might encounter working in the U.S. You might wonder what the differences are between working at a large company versus a small business. Career Services advisors can help break down the distinctions. You might wonder how to answer work authorization questions on a job application.

As an international student, your career related questions may be unique. ISSS is here to help you navigate immigration regulations including on-campus employment and off-campus work authorization (CPT, pre-completion OPT, and post-completion OPT). Career Services is here to help you become more employable in your pursuit of these employment opportunities. Together, ISSS and Career Services are excited to support you and your future career!

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Career Services Resources & Impact of COVID-19 on Hiring

Anonymous — Mon, 04 May 2020 12:10:15 +0000

Career Services Resources & Impact of COVID-19 on Hiring Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 05/04/2020 - 06:10

Connect with Career Services

We have staff ready to help students and alumni navigate their job/internship search and professional development.
LiveChat is available on our website Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
General drop-ins via Zoom are available Monday through Friday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Students may also schedule virtual appointments through LiveChat or Handshake. PreHealth and PreLaw students schedule through Buff Portal Advising.
Our website has great information to support students in their professional development.

Handshake

CU Boulder’s job and internship platform with over 8,000 jobs and 2,700 internships right now.
Additionally, there are many virtual career workshops and employer events in the next couple of weeks on Handshake.

Companies Response to COVID-19

The following are all crowdsourced tools for tracking individual companies, hiring, freezes, offers rescinded and layoffs.

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