Finding a Job as an International Student
The Safest Way to Seek Employment as a Lynn Student
By Javiera Sarmiento, Staff Writer
For international students, legal factors and limitations come into play as they seek the compensation and experience that accompanies having a job at any point of their path at Lynn University.
These include but are not limited to the need to obtain a Social Security number and a minimum/maximum of work hours per week to participate in the three kinds of job opportunities that Lynn University provides for foreign students: on-campus employment, curricular practical training (CPT) and optional practical training (OPT).
To break down the three types of job possibilities, their requirements and the general rules of working as an international student, iPulse spoke with members of Lynn’s International Student Services team and members of the Career and Alumni Connection Center.
“The U.S. government takes working illegally very seriously. Suppose a student engages in paid or unpaid employment without prior work authorization. In that case, their SEVIS record could be terminated, and the student may have to depart the U.S. and may not be allowed to return in the future,” said Assistant Director for International Programs and Services Morayma James.
That information about engaging in illegal work should be the first aspect to keep in mind when considering a job. No amount of money or benefits is worth risking an F-1 Visa, the status given to academic students.
International students must know that instead of looking to be employed on their own, Lynn’s job-focused website www.lynn.edu/studentjobs is the easiest and safest way to apply for a work position.
“CPT is employment designed to provide eligible students with an opportunity to gain actual employment experience via internships, and it isn’t primarily intended as a way to support yourself financially. On the other hand, OPT is a 12-month off-campus work authorization usually employed by international students after graduation, in relation to their field of study,” said Internship and Employment Coordinator Samantha Gallo.
She continued, “On-campus employment allows for a job in any on-campus department, keeping in mind that opportunities are limited for international students on an F-1 Visa because most of the on-campus jobs are Federal Work-Study.”
To be eligible for CPT, the student must have a full-time enrollment record of at least one year, the selected internship must be directly related to their career and prior approval from International Services is required.
In the case of OPT employment, the student has to apply during their final academic term and work a minimum of 21 hours a week. Prior approval from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is needed, which usually takes around 90 days to be approved.
Finally, for on-campus jobs, the maximum number of hours permitted to work per week during the fall and spring semesters is 20, the on-campus department the student would work in does not necessarily have to be related to their field of study and prior approval from International Student Services is not mandatory.
“There certainly are some limitations at the time of looking for a job while being an international student, but if you really take the time to look at all the process, it isn’t as complicated as it seems. Lynn really does make it easier for one,” said International Student Ambassador Daniela Rueda.
Rueda is an example of how getting a job as an international student is possible. It all comes down to how determined the student is and how efficiently they use the tools Lynn University provides.
For more information on regulations or how to apply for a job, visit the offices of International Programs and Services and Career and Alumni Connections, both located on the second floor of Christine E. Lynn University Center.
