How Could International Students Find CPT Jobs in The USA?

Max Troy
How Could International Students Find CPT Jobs in The USA?

Opportunities for International Students In CPT Jobs

Approximately one million international students move to the USA, for different purposes. Some move to colleges and universities to pursue their academic degrees and then find ways to get employment opportunities. Students can move to the USA on F1 visas and get the opportunity to study and work for OPT and CPT. This wonderful job opportunity gives the students the chance to stand out when they apply for full-time jobs in the USA, as their resume speaks volumes. It helps them get an upper hand while applying for jobs as they have the global exposure of working with recruiters in the USA.

It is very important to know that CPT students in the USA can be placed on campus and off campus also. There are many top-notch companies like Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, JP Morgan, and many other types of businesses. These companies hire CPT students as interns, or for part-time and full-time opportunities. However, those students who choose to work full-time under CPT lose their eligibility to work and apply under the OPT where they get the opportunity to work for 12 months.

What is Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for International Students

CPT jobs in USA are a privilege that is given to international students for working in the US job market. They can work in the field of their academic degree and are not entitled to work in any other field. CPT Curricular Practical Training is a way to enhance the intellectual knowledge and practical skills of the students in their field of study. The purpose is fulfilled when they get the opportunities to work and refine their skills gain experience and get relevant employment opportunities. The academic journey of international students is aligned with the amazing opportunities in different top-notch companies, small-scale businesses, and other organizations.

These opportunities might be paid or unpaid, depending upon the kind of employment offered by the recruiters. CPT jobs for international students can be full-time where the students can work for more than 20 hours per week or part-time where the students can only work for 20 hours in a week.

Part-Time vs. Full-Time CPT

International students who move to the USA, are at the privilege to pursue their graduation degree or any program. Along with that, they can get the opportunity to work under the CPT, where they can choose to work part-time or full-time. For an F1 student, the main concern for working under CPT is to get relevant working experience. Which can be use later on, for finding jobs across the world. This working experience helps them to find jobs based on their relevant experience.

  • Part-time – If a student is willing to work for part-time, they must be enrolled in full-time courses, in any college or university based in the USA. Under part-time CPT opportunities, the students can work for 20 hours per week.
  • Full-time – If a student is looking for a full-time CPT working opportunity they get the opportunity to work for more than 20 hours per week. But if a student chooses to work for full-time CPT they do not get the opportunity to apply for OPT. The Optional Practical Training provides the students with the chance to work for 12 months.

Types of CPT

  • Mandatory CPT – In some of the graduation programs CPT jobs are mandatory for the CPT students. Where the CPT is part of the curriculum, where it is part of the program, and is directly related to the Major area of study. It is good to gain practical experience and practical skills for the CPT students. This training is required to be summed up before completing the academic degree.
  • Optional CPT – Optional CPT also it is also mentioned in the curriculum, and it is also related to the academic degree. It can be part-time and full-time, it should also be completed before graduation degree.

Eligibility Criteria for CPT

To work under the CPT international students must understand that there are criteria to be fulfilled before applying.

  • The degree or program must be a full-time course.
  • The college or university in which the admission is secure must be based in the USA.
  • International students must have a valid F1 visa status. The candidates who have the F1 visa are only eligible for CPT and OPT.
  • The employment must be directly related to the field of academics of the CPT students. The purpose is to refine their skills and enhance their intellect in the field of their education.
  • CPT is majorly based on practical courses, such as STEM courses in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
  • The CPT students in the USA are also eligible to work part-time or full-time based on their choice.

How to Apply for CPT?

Follow these simple steps if an international student wants to apply for CPT jobs.

  • Contact the DSO regarding the application and interest in the CPT program.
  • They must have been enroll in a graduation program. And their program must make them eligible to apply for CPT.
  • They must have an I-20 form
  • They must also fill out the I-94 form
  • They must understand that their educational degree must be an integral part of the CPT.
  • They must communicate and negotiate with the recruiter regarding their employment. Whether it is paid or unpaid, and working hours.
  • Apply with a professional resume and with a cover letter.
  • They must start networking, with peer groups to get references for work opportunities.
  • They must work on their skills, academic knowledge, and practical intellect.

Find a Job in the U.S.

The real struggle for a CPT student begins when \they start looking for a job. The jobs are available on various platforms. OPTnation is one such platform that works for CPT students in the USA. Let’s see a quick guide

  • OPTnation is an online platform that bridges the gap between CPT students and recruiters.
  • The team at OPTnation helps international students find CPT jobs in USA.
  • The OPTnation has one of the largest resume databases where recruiters find relevant profiles.
  • The team prepares the candidates for upcoming interviews through training sessions. This will boost the confidence of the candidates and they perform well.
  • The team also assists the CPT students in preparing professional resumes. This way the chances of them short-listing increases. 

Endnotes

  • After the international students who move to the USA on an F1 visa get this wonderful job opportunity gives the students the chance to work for OPT and CPT. Many top-notch companies like Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and JP Morgan hire international students and allow them to excel in their educational fields.
  • The purpose of CPT Curricular Practical Training is to enhance the practical skills of the students in their field of study. They get the opportunities to work, where they can work in their academic field. It is a great combination where the candidates can work on their practical skills. It helps them to explore more and more opportunities in the US job market.
  • To be eligible for CPT international students must have a valid F1 visa status, a degree or program must be a full-time course, and the educational institution in which the admission is secure must be based in the USA.
  • CPT is focus more on practical courses, such as STEM courses in Science, Technology, Engineering, business, and Mathematics.
  • Under full-time the students can work for more than 20 hours per week or part-time where the students can only work for 20 hours in a week.
  • To apply for the CPT job, they must have been enroll in a graduation program. And their program must make them eligible to apply for CPT. They must have to fill out Form I-20, and Form I-94.
  • They must have a professional resume and a cover letter, before applying for CPT jobs in the US job market.
  • In some graduation programs, CPT jobs are mandatory and in some academic programs, it is optional.

FAQ’S WITH ANSWERS FOR CPT JOBS:

1. What is a CPT Job?

CPT Curricular Practical Training is a privilege given to F1 visa students. It is a chance to enhance the intellectual knowledge and refine the practical skills of the students in their field of study. They are allow to find employment opportunities in the field of their academic degree and are not entitled to work in any other field. CPT jobs allow the students to work full-time where they can work for more than 20 hours per week or part-time where the students can only work for 20 hours in a week.

2. Can I work on CPT Visa?

CPT authorizes international students who move to the USA on an F1 visa, to find jobs in their field of education. It is the option of the CPT students whether they want to work before or after the school is in session. They can work part-time or full-time, however, if the CPT student opts to work full-time. They won’t be eligible to apply for OPT jobs. CPT is based on practical STEM courses in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Business.

3. Who is eligible for OPT?

To be eligible for CPT jobs the students must be enrolled in a full-time degree or course in a college or university based in the USA, must have a valid F1 visa status, and must be directly related to the field of their educational degree. They must get their application accepted by the DSO, the Designated School Officer. After filing Form I-20 and Form I-94 and other relevant documents the application process is completed, and one becomes eligible to apply.

4. Can I earn in CPT?

The CPT students who find work in their field of educational degree can find relevant job positions. The recruiters can offer job opportunities paid or unpaid, based on the terms of employment. The sole purpose of CPT is to enhance the practical skills of CPT students. Their academic knowledge is combine with practical knowledge. Hence it creates more and more opportunities when they apply for full-time work opportunities. They get the chance to have global exposure by working in the US job market.

5. How to apply for CPT Jobs in the US?

To apply for CPT jobs, the CPT students must have a valid F1 visa status, they must be enrolled and admitted in any graduation degree or specialization program in any educational institution based in the USA. Also, they must have a resume, and a cover letter to justify their qualifications for the given job role. They have to fill out the application with forms I-20, and I-94. They have to communicate with the recruiters regarding terms of employment. Also, they are eligible to work in the field of their academics only. So they must target companies that carry out vacancies in the same profile.

6. How much do CPT jobs pay in the USA?

Though the pay scale changes with many mitigating factors, such as location, company, job profile, and other job specifications. Still, an average CPT student can earn $65,000 to $80,000 per year.to get a decent compensation package CPT students must have to make sure that they have the right qualifications and relevant skills. The majority of recruiters pay their CPT employees on per per-hour basis, which can vary between $ 15 and $30 per hour.