1. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT EMPLOYMENT AND INTERNSHIP WORKSHOP

2. On-Campus Employment Cannot be a “Federal Work Study” position
DSO/ARO must authorize employment
Eligibility
Must be in good academic standing
Total employment is no more than 20 hours per week
Cannot begin under 30 days start date on I-20/DS-2019
On-Campus Work and Internship Opportunities
 F-1 visa degree seeking students are eligible for on-campus employment authorization by the DSO during the program of study listed on the I-20.  On-campus employment is defined as work that is performed on the Longwood campus. 
 Eligibility for On-Campus Employment:
You must be in good academic standing
You are engaged in a full course of study
Total employment is no more than 20 hours per week, except during official school breaks
The DSO has approved your employment opportunity by reviewing a written job offer
You cannot begin employment until 30 days after the program start date listed on your I-20
For more information about on-campus job opportunities, please visit the Campus Jobs website, or contact the Student Employment Manager, Nadine Garrett.  Please note that international students are not eligible for positions marked as "Federal Work Study." These positions are reserved for students who are receiving Federal Pell grants.

3. On-Campus Employment Where to find employment???
Nadine Garrett, Student Employment Manager
Sign up on CareerConnect and research job openings

4. Finding Internships Meet with Academic Advisor
Meet with an Advisor in the Academic and Career Advising Center and/or research their website.
Advisor can help with researching options
Local Employers Showcase
Sign up on CareerConnect
Internship and on-campus work opportunities will be listed on this website

5. What is CPT?
CPT or Curricular Practical Training is an off-campus employment option for F-1 students. This can be for paid, and in some cases, unpaid internships.
The internship (training experience) must be considered an integral part of the curriculum and directly related to the student’s major area of study.
For Example, An OFF-CAMPUS internship being used to satisfy general education goal 15 (Internship, Field Exp. or Directed Research) qualifies as CPT!

6. To be eligible for CPT, you must:
CPT Eligibility
To be eligible for CPT, you must:
Have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for at least one full academic year
Have a declared major
Have a job/internship offer directly related to your major area of study
Have the internship approved by your internship advisor.
Return a completed CPT Authorization Form to the Office of International Affairs with Offer Letter from Employer

7. Your Offer Letter for CPT
The employer must provide you with a written offer of
employment on official letterhead. The
following information must be included in the letter:
Employer name
Employer address – and location where student will work
Employment start and end dates
Number of hours you are expected to work per week (full-time or part-time employment)
Position title
Position description
Name of immediate supervisor (if known)

8. Changes to CPT
CPT is approved for a specific employer, place of employment and time period.
You may not change employers or extend training employment dates without prior consultation with the Office of International Affairs.
You must submit a new, completed CPT Authorization Form and offer letter to request any change to your CPT permission before you switch employers.
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9. OPT (Optional Practical Training)
What is OPT?
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an employment option available to F-1 students for employment directly related to the major area of study.
12-month period of OPT per higher degree level
17-month STEM Extension OPT may be possible for some students.
Post-Completion OPT is used after degree completion.

10. Am I eligible to apply for OPT?
To be eligible for Standard OPT you must:
HAVE maintained legal F-1 status and be within 90 days of your expected program end date.
NOT have used full-time CPT for 12 months or more.

11. Standard OPT Hours & Limitations
Employment must be directly related to your academic major and be commensurate with your educational level (not clerical work)
Standard OPT time per degree level is 12 months
Post-Completion OPT
used after degree program completion
start date must fall within 60 days of program completion (this is not the same date as the graduation ceremony if you are completing in December)
Unemployment limit of 90 days in the aggregate starting from OPT start date!
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12. Unemployment Restriction
For Standard Post-Completion OPT: the employment does NOT have to be paid employment as long as there is no violation of labor laws, but must be at least 20 hours a week.
interning or volunteering in a position directly related to the academic field for 20 hours per week will meet eligibility requirements.
Discuss restrictions: must be in field of study, time limits (12 months full time CPT-no OPT) , unemployment in aggregate, internships must be approved by internship advisor, cannot work off-campus without authorization or proof of economic hardship, cannot work without EAD, takes a while to arrive (conundrum between paying $480 and hoping to have a job and waiting too long to get EAD card after getting an offer)

13. EAD CARD
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What does this mean? This means that you can not use just the card for re entering the US – you must also have a valid I-20 form, EAD card and a letter from an employer.

14. OPT and Travel RECOMMENDED Travel Travel NOT RECOMMENDED
Before the expiration of your I-20 with I-20 travel signature
With EAD, signed I-20 for travel, valid visa, passport, letter from employer stating you will still be employed upon return.
Travel NOT RECOMMENDED
The period after your I-20 has expired and before you receive the approved EAD.
If your F-1 visa has expired and you will need to apply for a new one.
While STEM Extension is pending.

15. CPT vs. OPT

16. STEM Extension OPT Eligibility
Completed a Bachelor’s, or Master’s in a STEM field.
Science Technology Engineering Mathematics
You can find a listing of STEM majors at
Currently engaged in the Standard Post-Completion OPT
Have a job or job offer from an E-Verify Employer
An employer currently registered and in good standing with the USCIS E-Verify Program
There is no public listing of E-Verify Employers

17. STEM Extension OPT: Hours and Limitations
For the 17-month STEM extension, employment must be traditional paid employment.
Students granted a 17-month OPT extension may not accrue an aggregate of more than 120 days of unemployment during the total 29-month OPT period.
The employment authorization period for the 17-month OPT extension begins on the day after the expiration of the initial post-completion OPT employment authorization, and ends 17 months later, regardless of the date the actual extension is approved.

18. Applying for STEM Extension
Application process is the same as the Standard Post-Completion OPT with some additions.
Official transcript or copy of diploma
Employer’s name as listed in E-Verify and valid E-Verify identification number.
Letter of Employment
Apply within 90 to 120 days prior to the Standard OPT expiration date.

19. While on OPT (Standard and STEM Extension)
While you are on OPT you are still considered an F-1 student sponsored by Longwood University.
Therefore you must:
Notify the Office of International Affairs of any address change via
Have your I-20 signed for travel by our office
Report employment information (name, address, interruption of employment) and changes to employment to the Office of International Affairs within 7 days of a change.
Be unemployed for no more than 90 days and maintain good status.

20. Job Search for International Students
The basic components of the job search include:
Employer research/exploring resources
Informational interviewing/networking
Cover letters, resumes, and other correspondences
Interviewing
Understand the application process for positions to which you are applying.
Network with friends, families, professors, neighbors, and alumni who have gained employment successfully to learn how they conducted their searches.
Conduct informational interviews with individuals in the field(s) you are considering.

21. Resume Differences U.S. Resume International Resume
Concise, attractive marketing tool -
summarizes jobs, skills, accomplishments, and academic background relevant to employment objective
Chronologically details academic and
formal work experience
One-to-two pages maximum
Does not include age, marital status, race, or religion.
May or may not include completion of
military service, depending upon whether it is relevant or makes the person a stronger candidate

22. Resume Tips
A well-prepared resume and cover letter is an essential component to getting an interview.
Do not list English as a language skill on a resume written in English for an English speaking country.
Do not include personal information such as age, marital status, race, or religion.
Avoid listing an international permanent address, especially if an employer cannot reach you at that address.

23. Resume Tips
Provide employers a frame of reference when referring to foreign companies and schools.
For example, “One of the top five universities in the United Kingdom.”
Make sure the resume is free from grammatical and spelling errors, as well as awkward use of language.
Maintain up-to-date copies of the resume in the format and language of native countries to serve as back-up for employment in home countries or to pass on to contacts.

24. Interviewing for International Students
U.S. Interview
International Interview
Be punctual. Arrive five to fifteen minutes
prior to appointment.
Personal relationships may be more important than time. Being late may not be a problem.
Eye contact is expected and shows
confidence.
Eye contact, especially with persons of higher
status, may be disrespectful.
Interviewer styles vary. May begin with
direct questions or minimal small talk.
Interviewers commonly start with small talk and look for information regarding character or
personality.
Interviewer may do most of the talking or
may expect the candidate to do most of the
talking.
Interviewer may talk for the majority of the
interview.
Questions regarding age, race, sexual
orientation, disabilities, national origin and
marital status are illegal.
Age, race, sex, or marital status may be issues in the interview. Males may be expected to dominate interactions with females. Younger people may be expected to show deference to older people.

25. Interviewing for International Students
U.S. Interview
Show clear self-knowledge, career goals,
and long-term plans. NOTE: It may be
important to be flexible, however, to obtain
employment initially.
Interviewer may expect immediate
competence and look at each new employee
for a two-to-five-year commitment.
Self-disclosure of strengths, weaknesses,
personality, leadership style, problem solving
abilities, etc. may be appropriate.
Researching the organization and
demonstrating that knowledge during the
interview is expected and shows initiative
and interest.

26. Interviewing Tips
After the interview, you should send employers a thank you letter. This type of correspondence is expected and is not over-zealous.
You can enhance your communication skills by:
Talking and speaking up in class
Making friends and talking with Americans
Attending workshops at the Academic Advising and Career Center
Watching television
Reading newspapers and academic publications 
Study commonly asked interview questions, write answers to those questions, and practice your responses in front of a mirror as well as with friends.

27. Benefits of Hiring an International Student
Diverse cultural background and the ability to speak more languages are especially appealing to companies that are planning to globalize their business.
Living and studying abroad enables international students to demonstrate a number of skills such as tenacity, responsible risk taking, decision-making, and resourcefulness.
Be able to communicate how you have overcome some of the challenges you faced, as these types of skills can be directly linked to the skills desired for the position you are seeking.

28. When to Discuss Visa Status with an Employer
Often an employer will ask verbally or on an application if you are eligible to work in the U.S. If the employer requests the information, you should inform them of your visa status. For Example, “My visa allows 12 months of work.”
If they do not ask you, and you are seeking long-term employment, you should bring it up before an offer of employment is made. Be sure the employer is aware so that they can make a decision about whether or not to sponsor your visa petition.

29. Congrats! You Have an Offer! Now What??
Social Security Administration (SSA)
You must have a Social Security Number (SSN) BEFORE you can start working.
To receive your SSN, you must have a written copy of the job offer, an approval letter from your DSO/ARO and all of your immigration documents (Passport, I-20/DS-2019, I-94, Visa)

30. Congrats! You Have an Offer! Now What??
What if I need to drive to work? Can I get a Driver’s License?
Yes! You can get a Virginia Driver’s License.
Handouts on how this process works are available in the Office of International Affairs and online at
Farmville DMV Customer Service Center
Address: 300 North Virginia Street, Farmville, VA Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Saturday: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Telephone:(804) Fax:
The process for obtaining a Virginia Driver’s License depends on whether you already have an international driver’s license or not.
If you already have an international driver’s license:
When you visit the DMV, you must bring the following information with you:
Your International Driver’s License
Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 or Form DS-2019)
Passport with valid visa and I-94 (Arrival and Departure) record
Social Security Card (If you have one)
Proof of Virginia Residency (This can be a lease agreement, Virginia state income tax form, Enrollment Verification or Official Academic Transcript (can be obtained from the Registrar’s Office at Longwood).
Once you present these documents, you will have to take a written test as well as a driving test with an observer before you can obtain your Virginia Driver’s License. To pass the test, you will need to learn about driving laws in the United States. You can learn about driving laws in Virginia here:

31. Graduate School- Visa Information
Starting a new degree program in the USA is easier than you think!
If you are accepted a graduate school, you must provide your DSO at the transfer-out school:
Proof of your acceptance
The contact information of the DSO at the transfer-in school
SEVIS school code
Once you do this, your visa record can be transferred.

32. Timeline- Graduate School
Start researching early! Junior year is best.
Find out what graduate program you are interested in.
Research universities that have your program.
Look into the about the application process, deadlines, costs, housing options, assistantship opportunities, admission criteria, rankings etc. for each school
Narrow down your choices to about 4-6 schools you want to apply to.
You should apply to some “reach” schools, but some that you also have a good chance at being admitted to.

33. Timeline-Graduate School
Choose the schools you want to apply to about 1 year in advance. Then begin working on:
Test Prep (GRE, GMAT, etc)
Updating your CV or resume
Creating a Personal Statement
Find good references

34. Need Further Assistance?
Personal one-on-one consultation is available from:
Office of International Affairs
International Student Advisor – Hunter Swanson
or x2627
Academic and Career Advising Center
or x2063