UNL Career Services and International Student and Scholar Services have created this overview to address common questions regarding the employment of international students during school and after graduation.
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Working On-Campus
Many on-campus opportunities provide valuable work experience and generally do not require any special approval. On campus jobs are listed in Husker Hire Link, job boards, on campus jobs, or through departments.
What are graduate assistantships?
Graduate Assistantships (GAs) are awarded to qualified students to assist with financial responsibilities associated with full-time enrollment in graduate school. Graduate assistants are generally awarded a tuition waiver and monthly stipend. Graduate assistantships might be available through academic or other campus departments. If you have questions, please contact the Graduate Studies web site.
What is work-study? Do I qualify?
Federal work-study is a part of the federal financial aid program available only to students who are U.S. citizens.
What about scholarships? Do I qualify?
Although most UNL scholarships are available to U.S. citizens only, International Student and Scholar Services and some UNL Colleges/Departments may have some scholarships available to international students.
Working Off-Campus
Depending upon your visa status, you may or may not be eligible to work off campus.
Volunteer experiences are generally permitted and provide opportunities to gain knowledge of a career field and specific skills. (For example, gain marketing skills through a charitable organization, tutor to elementary students, or translate for a human services organization.) Some long-term volunteer experiences are promoted through UNL Career Services as non-paid internships. Organizations cannot hire an international student as an unpaid intern or volunteer if they generally would pay a U.S. citizen to do the same work.
Internships and cooperative education experiences (Curricular Practical Training or Academic Training) are permitted with some additional documentation. These experiences permit students to be employed in their major field of study during the course of their academic program. Such training must be an integral part of an established curriculum and must comply with immigration regulations.
Post-Graduation Employment
Optional Practical Training enables an employer to hire an international student after graduation for work related to their course of study. Authorization is granted by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (CIS). Employers intending to recruit and hire internationals have the option to petition for an H-1B visa (authorizing 1-6 years additional work in the U.S.).
Do U.S. employers hire international students?
Yes and no. Some U.S. employers will hire international students, while other employers will not. Most employers can be classified into four categories:
- Those that want to hire international students because they might have international business dealings.
- Those that will consider hiring international students for positions for which they cannot find qualified U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Those that will only recruit and hire U.S. citizens or permanent residents because they do not wish to incur the expenses involved in hiring international students and sponsoring them for H-1B visas.
- Those employers who are unable to hire international students due to their relationship with the federal government (i.e. federal government agencies, government contractors, and defense contractors).
If an employer is open to the idea of hiring an international student, they may:
- Interview and hire the international student for a internship (CPT or Academic Training) or an optional practical training (OPT) experience.
- After the student completes the short-term experience, the employer could decide to end the employment. If the employer wanted to continue to employ the international student on a more permanent basis, they could attempt to obtain a H1-B visa by completing all three of the steps below:
- Petitioning the government for an H-1B visa (authorizing 1-6 years additional work in the U.S.)
- Seeking approval from the United States Department of Labor which includes documenting attempts to hire a U.S. citizen for the position
- Hiring a lawyer and absorbing a variety of fees
Due to the expenses involved in sponsoring an employee for an H-1B visa, some employers will not hire international students into CPT or OPT positions. While UNL Career Services supports all UNL students, including international students, we cannot control an employer’s willingness to interview or hire international students.
Is there a list of employers who hire international students?
There is no comprehensive list of employers willing to hire international students. While one year an organization may hire international students, the next year they may choose not to or there might not be any openings.
What questions can employers ask about my visa status?
During your application process, you may or may not be asked by an employer to answer the following questions:
- Are you legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer?
- Will you now or in the near future require visa sponsorship?
Most international students are legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer (through CPT, Academic Training, or OPT). But most international students will eventually require visa sponsorship. Although international students may be legally authorized to work in the United States, there is no obligation for an employer to interview or hire international students.
How can I explain the options for hiring international students to an employer?
Career Services and International Student and Scholar Services have collaborated to produce an overview of the options. You may download it as a PDF and provide it to employers.