International students have post-collegiate training options
Posted on 2/5/2010
Individuals from abroad who plan to pursue courses or degree programs in the U.S. often wonder what type of career opportunities await them in America upon graduation.
The first step toward a degree and a career in this country involves getting a student visa, or F-1, that allows an individual to arrive legally and enroll at private or public schools in the U.S. This type of visa also makes it possible for them to obtain jobs on campus, should they wish to supplement their income.
After graduation, holders of student visas - which normally expire two months after obtaining a degree - can apply for Optional Practical Training, which allows them to pursue paid work in the U.S. in order to gain experience in their field of study, according to the website of the University of Oklahoma.
Graduates with specialized skills, especially in fields where there is a shortage of similarly qualified Americans, may then be able to find an employer who will sponsor their work visa or green card.
According to data from the Institute of International Education, a total of 671,616 international students were enrolled at American universities during the academic year 2008/2009. This represented an increase of 7.7 percent over the previous year, and constituted 3.7 percent of the total student population.
The first step toward a degree and a career in this country involves getting a student visa, or F-1, that allows an individual to arrive legally and enroll at private or public schools in the U.S. This type of visa also makes it possible for them to obtain jobs on campus, should they wish to supplement their income.
After graduation, holders of student visas - which normally expire two months after obtaining a degree - can apply for Optional Practical Training, which allows them to pursue paid work in the U.S. in order to gain experience in their field of study, according to the website of the University of Oklahoma.
Graduates with specialized skills, especially in fields where there is a shortage of similarly qualified Americans, may then be able to find an employer who will sponsor their work visa or green card.
According to data from the Institute of International Education, a total of 671,616 international students were enrolled at American universities during the academic year 2008/2009. This represented an increase of 7.7 percent over the previous year, and constituted 3.7 percent of the total student population.
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