Career Resources for International Students

What do I need to know about work authorization in the United States before I apply for internships and jobs?

Many employers are not aware of U.S. Visa policy, so you may be responsible for explaining these requirements to employers to help them understand the process and make it easier for them to hire you. International Student & Scholar Services Website and workshops can give you this knowledge so that you can accurately speak about your work authorization requirements with an employer. Specifically, you should familiarize yourself with the details regarding CPT (Curricular Practical Training) and OPT (Optional Practical Training) so that you can articulate them to an employer. If you have any questions about your work authorization status in the United States, please contact International Student & Scholar Services for their support.

How much English do I need to know in order to get an internship or a job in the United States?

The ability to speak and write English well is a top requirement for most employers; however, each company may require different levels of English speaking and writing ability.

Here are some suggestions for practice:

  • Class participation, presentations, and case competitions
  • Conversations with native English-speaking friends
  • Involvement with Student Clubs & Organizations
  • Conversations and practice interviews with your Career Ambassador
  • Learn why “small talk” is important in your U.S. job search and how to do it at Improve Your American Small Talk – Globalmingleparty.com

How can I get more information to help me explore careers and identify opportunities?

Asking for advice and information from professionals will help you explore careers and identify opportunities. If you’re nervous about reaching out to contacts, your Career Ambassador can assist you.

Consider these networking opportunities:

  • Campus-sponsored Company Information Sessions
  • Career Fairs
  • Informational Interviews
  • Create a strong LinkedIn profile and use resources to engage employers

Community Resources

U.S. Department of Homeland Security - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Job Boards

  • GoingGlobal has an H1B visa resource, helping you identify employers who historically hire international talent based on occupation, job title, company name, and industry (since this feature requires a subscription, you must log in to Handshake with your CIS username and password to access GoingGlobal).
  • Passport Career’s USA H-1B Employer Database includes more than 340,000 U.S. employers who have provided H-1B Visas/Work Permits to non-Americans. While this is not a list of positions you can apply for, this database provides valuable information about what employers applied for this visa in the past. You can search the database using a keyword, minimum salary, company names, city, state and job-type. 
  • H1visajobs.com is an online database of American employers that sponsor H1-B visa holders.
  • My Visa Jobs identifies employment opportunities for foreign nationals who want to live and work in the U.S. and Canada. Search annually for updated lists of employers accepting H1B visa holders. Sort lists by state, industry, and job title. This site also contains information about work authorizations, searching for jobs, and information about a variety of industries.
  • E-Verify is a program run by the U.S. government used mostly by employers to check employee records and eligibility. Search for employers that provide work authorization and sponsorship.
  • Boston Career Forum is an annual job recruiting event that has hundreds of employers who are looking to hire Japanese-English bilingual students and professionals, including those who have study abroad experience. Their events are held in Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Tokyo, Osaka, London, Sydney, and Shanghai. 
  • MIT European Career Fair (ECF) is an annual recruiting event in Boston/Cambridge, organized by members of the European Club at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The mission is to connect thousands of top-tier US students and young professionals with up to 100 European companies, universities and non-profit organizations and to inform folks about career opportunities in Europe.
  • Career Nation is an online database that has job postings and resources to connect professionals from Africa and the U.S.
  • International Alumni Job Network (IAJN) connects international education and global employment opportunities. IAJN is a social enterprise that connects international students and alumni with global job and internship opportunities and engages with industry and events that unite the international community.
  • Jobware is a German job search engine that allows you to search for jobs in a variety of industries, including information technology, engineering, marketing, or sales.
  • JobStreet.com is the number 1 job site in Singapore, with more than 50,000+ job postings in Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
  • Latpro is an online employment site dedicated to bringing diversity to the American workforce. It has been posting Spanish bilingual and Hispanic jobs since 1997 and diversity jobs and job search engines since 2006.
  • Recruit Net is an international job search site with jobs listed in more than 20 countries all over the world.
  • DiversityInc. lists the top 50 companies recognized for diversity every year.
  • GlobalMe School is an online career resource that will provide you with the tools needed to succeed in the U.S. workplace. Navigate the U.S. job search by exploring the “The International Job Search Guide designed to assist international students in understanding American employers, the value you possess as an international student, and how to be an active job seeker. GlobalMe School also provides select free courses on how to “Improve your American Small Talk,” “How To Talk to Employers About Study Abroad,” and “How to Find U.S. Companies that Offer H-1B.”
  • International Student Careers provides students with online career resources and workshops designed specifically for international students. You have access to infographics such as “How to Find a Job as an International Student” that illustrates a detailed step-by-step guide to help you navigate the H-1B job search process.
  • 51Job.com is an online database with job listings for students who are looking to focus their job search in China.