International Students

International students are eligible for employment with the University when they arrive on campus. On-campus employment opportunities can be found on Handshake. When looking for on- campus jobs on Handshake, international students are only eligible for “non-work study” positions.  

There are 3 types of on-campus jobs: Standard Campus Jobs, Dining Services Jobs, and Academic Jobs.

• Standard Campus Jobs are found on Handshake and include positions like: Graduate Assistant, Office Assistant, Student Assistant, Peer Tutor, Resident Assistant, etc.
• Dining Services Jobs are found on Compassgroupcareers.com and include food service positions at the Dining Hall, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Catering, etc.
• Academic Jobs are found through faculty/departments in your major. You should speak with your professors or people in your college to find out about openings for positions like: Teaching Assistant (TA), Research Assistant, Grader, Lab Assistant, etc.

Successful on campus applications include cover letters, resumes, and good interviewing skills. Students can have a TAMU-CC Career Counselor review their resumes and cover letters or conduct a mock interview by scheduling an appointment on Handshake or by calling the Career and Professional Development Center at 361-825-2628.   

There are several ways you can build your resume and portfolio without having a job including: Forage, projects, volunteering in related activities, or leadership.

• Forage is a free resource for project-based experiences with hundreds of job simulations designed by the world’s top companies. You can register and search for relevant assignments. When your project is complete, you post it in the platform and recruiters from that company may review it and contact you if they are interested in your work. Whether they contact you or not, you can put this project on your resume. Be sure to include Forage and the host company name such as Lululemon, J.P. Morgan, RedBull, KPMG, British Airways and MORE! Register and search here: https://www.theforage.com/
• Projects interest employers because it shows them how you are applying your skills and knowledge outside the classroom. These can be personal projects such as repairing car engines (Engineering), developing a website that uses scraped information for some purpose or create a program that scrapes the internet news and posts the top 3 articles to your social media (Computer Science), creating or revamping a database (Computer Science or MIS), or conducting research (Science, Psychology). What skills do you have that could help someone or some organization? If you’d like to discuss some ideas, please see your career counselor.
• Volunteering at organizations in a capacity that is related to your field is great experience. There are many organizations, both on and off campus, that are understaffed and need help. Some examples include: supporting your favorite student organization by organizing/analyzing all their membership and financial data (Computer Science, MIS), assisting at Metro Ministries homeless shelter clinic (Healthcare Administration, BioMed), or helping the local Ronald McDonald House with their social media marketing (Marketing, Communication).
• Leading a student organization is a great skillset for your resume and it is very much like a job. Employers are seeking applicants who have done more than go to class. Leadership shows that you have initiative as well as strong organizational and communication skills. Perhaps you could increase membership, or improve fundraising efforts, or even reduce attrition. All of these items would be impressive examples to add to your resume.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an opportunity for international students at TAMUCC to gain valuable work experience related to their major field of study.  

CPT Basics 

• Integral Curriculum Component: CPT involves gaining hands-on work experience such as internships, co-op programs, or required practical training. If approved, a student is eligible to work up to 20 hours during the semester. For more information, please contact the Office of International Education.  
• Authorization and Eligibility: TAMUCC's Designated School Official (DSO) is authorized to grant CPT authorization. To be eligible, you must be lawfully enrolled in a full-time academic program for at least one academic year and be in lawful F-1 status. You must also have a job offer before you are eligible to apply for CPT. Once you have the job offer you may start the CPT process.  
• Form I-20 Authorization: Once approved, your CPT authorization will be noted on your Form I-20, indicating the specific employer and duration of your training. 
• Timing and Enrollment: CPT must occur before your program end date on the Form I-20, and you need to secure the training opportunity before applying for CPT. The CPT can be either full-time or part-time. 

Types of CPT 

• Required CPT: Mandated by your academic program, required CPT is an essential component for graduation. 
• Optional CPT: This is work experience directly related to your field of study and is not mandatory for graduation. 
• Part-Time CPT: Involves working 20 hours or fewer per week while simultaneously being enrolled full-time in classes. 
• Full-Time CPT: Allows for more than 20 hours of work per week, but note that 12 or more months of full-time CPT can impact Optional Practical Training (OPT) eligibility. 

Overview of OPT: Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a valuable opportunity for international students with F-1 immigration status at TAMUCC to gain work experience related to their degree in the United States. It can be utilized before or after completing studies and provides two types of employment options: 

• Pre-Completion OPT: Available during annual vacation or leave terms before completing studies. 
• Post-Completion OPT: Available after completing all degree requirements. 

We recommend talking to the Office of International Education to see what is best for you.  

Eligibility: To be eligible for OPT, TAMUCC students must meet these criteria: 

• Maintain valid F-1 status during application 
• Enroll full-time for at least one academic year 
• Be physically present in the U.S. during application 
• Follow specific timing considerations for application submission 

Types of OPT: There are two types of OPT for TAMUCC students: 

• Pre-Completion OPT (c)(3)(A): Allows part-time work during school sessions and full-time work during breaks. 
• Post-Completion OPT (c)(3)(B): Permits part-time (at least 20 hours/week) or full-time work after completing studies. 

Length and Hours of Authorization: 

• Initial post-completion OPT is for 12 months, minus any pre-completion OPT time used. 
• STEM OPT extension is available for specific STEM degrees, allowing a 24-month extension after initial post-completion OPT. 
• Employment must be related to the major field of study and suitable for the education level. 
• Minimum of 20 hours per week, paid or unpaid. 

Volunteer Work and Unpaid Internships: 

• Volunteer work and unpaid internships can count as valid OPT employment for the initial 12-month period. 
• Activities must comply with federal and state labor laws. 
• Engagement in unpaid activities that constitute employment without proper authorization is a violation of immigration status. 

Applying for OPT: 

• Obtain a recommendation from TAMUCC's designated school official (DSO). 
• File Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with required fee and documentation. 
• Application timing varies based on degree type and STEM eligibility. 

Transfers and Changes: 

• Transferring schools or changing educational levels terminates OPT authorization. 
• F-1 status remains unaffected as long as you comply with student status requirements. 

OPT is a valuable opportunity for TAMUCC students to gain practical experience and enhance their career prospects in the U.S. job market. For more details and specific application guidelines, consult TAMUCC's Office of International Education. 

While online applications are common, they often get lost in the shuffle. Stand out by tasking a more direct approach: 

• Cold Calling and Networking: Reach out to potential employers personally. Craft personalized messages to recruiters and even company leaders to establish a strong connection. 
• Applying Online: When job hunting online use resources designed to help international students such as GoinGlobal, Handshake, or Parker Dewey. 
• Cultural Adaptation: Familiarize yourself with American workplace culture and behaviors. Engage in meaningful conversations, demonstrate approachability, and work on making a positive impression. 

Enhance your skills and make yourself a more attractive candidate by focusing on growth and development: 

• Refine Your Communication Skills: Cultivate and polish your language skills, as strong communication is highly valued by employers. Enhance your written and verbal communication abilities and capitalize on mock interview opportunities to hone your interview skills. 
• Continuous Learning: Dedicate time to expand your knowledge and skills. Read books, attend networking events, and utilize online resources to stay updated and sharpen your expertise. Take advantage of the resources you have access to through the University such as LinkedIn Learning or online resources like Forage.  
• Digital Presence: Establish a professional digital presence, especially on platforms like LinkedIn. Share relevant content, showcase your accomplishments, and connect with industry professionals. 

Make your application materials stand out by tailoring them to each opportunity: 

• Resumes and Cover Letters: Craft resumes and cover letters that align with the specific role, company, and industry you're applying to. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that match the job requirements. 

Become well-versed in various work authorization options available to international students: 

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT): Understand the regulations and requirements for work authorization during your studies. 
• Optional Practical Training (OPT): Explore opportunities for post-graduation work experience and learn how to apply for the OPT program. 
• STEM OPT Extension: If your field of study is STEM-related, discover how to extend your OPT period for additional work experience. 
• Academic Training (AT): For J-1 visa holders, explore academic training options for work experience related to your studies. 

Networking can significantly impact your job search and career prospects: 

• University Events: Participate in formal and informal events on campus to connect with peers, alumni, professors, and industry professionals. Check out iEngage for campus events. 
• Industry Connections: Engage with professionals in your desired field to gain insights, advice, and potential job leads. 

Anticipate setbacks and approach the job hunt with resilience: 

• Multiple Options: Maintain a list of potential job roles and employers. Be open to pivoting if your initial strategy doesn't yield results. 
• Patience and Persistence: Recognize that finding employment as an international student can be challenging. Stay persistent, as your determination will pay off. 

By embracing these strategies and demonstrating determination and adaptability, you can successfully navigate the US job hunt and secure valuable internship opportunities to launch your career. Don’t forget to leverage the Career and Professional Development Center. These offices can help you navigate the job search process effectively. 

• Don’t Apply Without Research: Avoid applying to companies that don't offer sponsorship if you require it. Focus your efforts on internships and positions where you are eligible for long-term employment. 
• Don’t Be Dishonest About Visa Status: Always be honest and transparent about your visa status with recruiters. Dishonesty can harm your credibility and chances of securing a job. 
• Don’t Undervalue Your Experience: Even if you lack formal work experience, highlight relevant activities like club memberships, leadership roles, projects, coursework, and customer service skills gained from non-professional settings. 
• Don’t Apply Randomly: Instead of applying for multiple positions across different departments within the same company, focus on roles that genuinely align with your interests and qualifications. 
• Don’t Overlook Global Mindset: Emphasize your global mindset and willingness to work across cultures when applying to companies. Many organizations value candidates who can contribute to their international teams. 
• Don’t Neglect Feedback and Improvement: If you face rejection, take time to reflect and improve your application. Reapply after making necessary enhancements, or consider applying for full-time roles after graduation. 

 Remember that persistence, honesty, and a proactive mindset are key to achieving success in your career search. 

GoinGlobal 

• A job board filled with companies who have sponsored American work visas in the past. 

Handshake 

• A job board for TAMU-CC students where you can find on campus jobs as outside of campus jobs  
• Will mention if the company is willing to Sponsor  

My Visa Jobs 

• A good resource on explaining work visas and finding companies that will sponsor a work visa.  
• Search companies that accept H-1B visas  

Devex 

• This is a great recourse for the global development community. Many civil societies and NGOs hire global talent and will sponsor a work visa.   
• This site also provides career related events, career blogs, and general news & updates about the world of development.