Resources:

Intlconnect

Connecting International Students to their Future Careers

• Excellent resources for UIUC students, including:

• 4 year plan

• Success Stories

• International Friendly Companies List

• Information on Work Authorization

• Alumni Groups

• Job Search Handbook

• Going Global (H1B)

• Career Certificate (ICC)- see below

http://www.intlconnect.illinois.edu/

Myvisajobs.com

MyVisaJobs is a Visa job information portal and online community. Current database lists top H1B sponsors searchable by fields such as state, occupation, and industry; allows users to search current job openings from top visa sponsors

MyVisaJobs.com: 2014 Top 100 H1B Visa Sponsors

MyVisaJobs.com: 2014 Top 100 Green Card Sponsors

MyVisaJobs.com 2014 Green Card sponsors by top 10 UIUC international students' origins

China, South Korea, India, Taiwan, Canada, Indonesia, Thailand, Turkey, Iran, Singapore (view INTLconnect website)

Work Authorization for International Students

There are options for international students to do an internship and work within the U.S. with student visa status.  The ISSS Office helps students with questions and both their office and the Econ Department offer workshops specifically on these subjects.

Visit the ISSS Website: http://isss.illinois.edu/

The Office of International Student and Scholar Services advises international students on their nonimmigrant status and facilitates work authorization for students in F-1 or UI-sponsored J-1 status.  Below is a brief explanation about each type of employment authorization.   Because individual circumstances vary students are encouraged to make an appointment with an ISSS advisor to discuss work authorization.

• On-Campus Employment : F-1 and most J-1 students are permitted to work on-campus as a benefit of their nonimmigrant status. Students may work part-time (20 hours or less) per week during Fall and Spring semesters, and up to full-time during all official University breaks (Thanksgiving, Winter, Spring and Summer). Jobs that can be considered on-campus are normally paid by the University. If you are unsure whether your position fits the criteria for on-campus employment, please check with an ISSS advisor.

• Off-Campus (Training) : F-1 and J-1 students who would like to work off-campus must obtain work authorization prior to beginning employment. Training must be related directly to a student’s program of study. Students may pursue off-campus employment both during and after their program of study. For more detailed information about these opportunities, please visit the International Student and Scholar Services’ website athttp://www.isss.illinois.edu/students/employment/f1employ.html  or schedule an appointment with an international student advisor.

F-1 Students

• Curricular Practical Training(CPT) : Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is work authorization that takes place during the program of study. It is granted to students who are enrolled in a course which requires or strongly recommends work experience.  The course must be a part of the established curriculum. To apply, students will need to submit a letter from their academic advisor to ISSS. If the opportunity is approved, then the student will receive a new I-20 with the CPT authorization.

• Optional Practical Training(OPT) : Optional Practical Training (OPT) is granted to F-1 students after completion of all required coursework. Employment must be related to a student’s field of study and degree level. OPT is recommended by ISSS and authorized by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Students may apply up to 90 days before the program end date, and up to 60 days after. Normal processing time for OPT is 90 days. ISSS holds OPT workshops each Fall and Spring semester to help students learn more about the application process.

• OPT Workshops: International Student and Scholar Services runs OPT workshops throughout the Fall and Spring semesters. Fall 2014 workshops are held at the ISSS office on Tuesdays at 11am (except September 30) , Wednesdays at 3pm, Thursdays at 3pm and Fridays at 2pm.  Workshops last about an hour and late comers will not be admitted. If you are graduating in Fall 2014 and you have plans to obtain employment authorization after graduation, you should start the Optional Practical Training (OPT) application well in advance of your graduation, as approval can take 2-3 months to obtain. The goals of the workshop are to provide information about OPT rules, regulations and application procedures as well as answering general OPT questions you may have.

J-1 Students

• Academic Training : Academic Training (AT) is work permission for a specific job that is related to the J-1’s program of study.  It may take place during or after completion of studies.  AT is granted based on the number of months a student has been enrolled in a program and the length of the proposed job, but cannot exceed 18 months (36 for post-doctoral training). For example if a J-1 student begins a program and has completed four months of that program, they may apply for up to four months of AT. ISSS authorizes AT for UI-sponsored J-1 students; students who received their J-1 from an outside agency must consult that agency for AT policies and procedures.