This fall we invited immigration lawyer Elisabeth Ames, Esq. to talk to us about strategies students and alumni can use to prepare for and navigate the immigration process. In case you missed it, we have recapped some of the highlights.

Considerations FOR OPT

Using OPT after graduation allows you to gain experience in your field of study. International students and alumni have been successful in finding full-time and part-time roles, starting their own businesses or working freelance. Ames also talked to us about unpaid opportunities including internships and volunteering, and the importance of vetting experiences to ensure that your opportunity does not violate the labor laws. You may need to use OPT for certain experiences. There are opportunities that should be paid but aren’t and they can cause you issues later on when applying for sponsorship.

We also learned that STEM students and alumni do not automatically receive an additional 24 months after the first year of OPT is used, you must apply for the STEM extension and ensure that their company is E-Verified. E-verify is an electronic filing program that links the company to USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services).

She shared with us some other visas students may also consider pursuing in addition to the H1B, such as the E, H, I, J, L, O, P, R, and TN.

Knowing your Visa Status

We learned that it is important to be knowledgeable about your status and take advantage of the options available to you during and after completing your studies. Be proactive, start by connecting with ISSO to learn more about OPT and CPT; you are responsible for the completion and submission of your paperwork. You should also connect with a career counselor at CCE to discuss your career search strategy. If you plan to stay in the states keep good records! it’s easier for you down the line if you can document the courses you took, skills you gained from your major, jobs, and internships including the dates and the type of work you did.

Communicating with Employers

Be knowledgeable about your status and what it would take for to be sponsored. Reach out to human resources representatives where possible as you pursue jobs and evaluate offers to understand whether they sponsor and have experience working with and hiring internationals. This may be a deciding factor for you.

If a company doesn’t sponsor and you plan to stay in the US, then it may not benefit you to work there. You want to use the time you have here wisely and it may be more useful to find an opportunity with an organization that has historically sponsored internationals. Not all companies sponsor but some do, you need to be proactive in seeking out and identifying these organizations.

Check out our full Q&A with an immigration lawyer and hear some of the helpful advice and strategies for your job search in the US.