On-Campus Employment
The most commonly used employment benefit is on-campus employment. Students may work on campus at the school that issued the I-20 for 20 hours per week or less during the academic year and full-time during vacation periods as long as the student will register the following term. A new F1 student may not begin an on-campus job more than 30 days before the first day of classes. On-campus employment is considered "incident to status" and requires no formal authorization; some schools have internal procedures that require authorization. The student should consult with a foreign student advisor in the international student office.

Practical Training
Moving from student to worker can be difficult, but immigration regulations do provide F1 students some benefits so that students can have experiential learning. Applying the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to the real world provides students with experiences they can bring back to the classroom and use in their professional careers. This practical experience is referred to as practical training and must be in the field of study and commensurate with the level of education. Two types of practical training exist: curricular practical training and optional practical training.

Curricular practical training (CPT) must be curricular, and schools interpret and implement the curricular practical training regulations differently. In general, the practical training must be required for the degree, or it must be an elective that is in the university's catalog. Courses required and offered at various institutions affect whether they offer curricular practical training as an option at all. Unlike the other employment options, the DSO authorizes CPT. CPT doesn't have a time limit and doesn't count against the 12 months of optional practical training; however, students will lose optional practical training credit if they have 12 months or more of full-time CPT. Students should consult with the foreign student advisor on campus to see if they qualify

On the other hand, optional practical training (OPT) does not have to be curricular but must be in the student's field of study. Students typically use OPT upon completing their course of study; other opportunities to use OPT include part-time work while enrolled full-time, part- or full-time work during the student's vacation period, or part- or full-time work after the student has completed the course of study, except for thesis. In any of these situations, the DSO must recommend the OPT in SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System). If the student is applying for OPT based on completion of the program of study, the application must be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security before the last day of the student's program, or the student will forfeit OPT.

Internship with a Recognized International Organization
A seldom-used employment option is an internship with an international organization—not just any international organization but a recognized international organization listed in the International Organization Immunities Act (59 Stat. 669). The student must request a recommendation from the DSO by providing the DSO written certification from the international organization on the organization's letterhead. Certification must state that the proposed employment is within the scope of the organization's sponsorship. The student would apply to USCIS for work authorization and follow guidelines provided by the DSO.