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The G1Y Program has partnered with FIU's Career and Talent Development office to assist students with:
Resume writing and critiques
Practice interviews
Career transitions and assessments
Networking
Professional development
Career events
And other services to help you move your career forward
On-Campus Employment
This is a benefit available to all students maintaining valid F1 status. It is not necessary to obtain special work authorization from USCIS to work on-campus; however, you must obtain an on-campus employment certification signed by an ISSS advisor to submit to Human Resources. Please review the F-1 On-Campus Employment Online Information to make sure you understand all the policies and regulations on this type of employment.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
CPT is a practical training that is performed for academic credit (part of the school curriculum and commensurate to degree level) AND that is required as part of the academic plan or program curriculum from ALL students in the program.
This includes:
Required internship, practicum, student teaching or field experience (paid or unpaid)
Optional internships for credit (MUST be in student’s major or program of study)
Cooperative (Co-op) education programs for credit (MUST be in student’s major or program of study
To learn more about CPT, you can visit the CPT information section on the ISSS website.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a period during which undergraduate and graduate students with F-1 status are permitted by the USCIS to work towards getting practical training to complement their field of studies once they have completed their program of studies.
“Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion). However, all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT.”
To learn more about OPT, you can visit the OPT information section on the ISSS Website.
REMEMBER THAT WORKING OFF-CAMPUS OUTSIDE OF AN APPROVED OPT OR CPT PROGRAM IS ILLEGAL!
Career and Talent Development has partnered with Handshake - a modern career development platform that will be your one-stop shop for launching your career and keeping it on track. Login to Handshake using your FIU e-mail.
Complete your profile where you will have immediate access to:
Scheduling an appointment with your career advisors
Completing your profile and upload unlimited resumes, cover letters and transcripts
Creating personalized search agents based on your major and interests
Registering for Career Fairs, workshops and networking events
Managing your on-campus interviews with top companies
Networking with professionals and alumni in your chosen field
Internships are a great way to gain experience before entering the workforce. Before finding an internship, determine what your internship goals are by asking yourself the following questions:
What are your specific career interests?
What type of organization are you interested in?
What industry would be best for your needs?
There are many different types of internships (i.e. paid vs. unpaid, credit vs. noncredit, fulltime vs. part-time). Take the time to do your research and figure out what’s best for you. Talk with your advisor about what kinds of internships would be best to help you gain practical experience in your field.
The Career Accelerator program—an exclusive service for students enrolled in the FIU Global First Year Program—helps you develop your professional skills, get an internship, and launch your career. With opportunities in one of the most vibrant U.S. cities at your fingertips, your career path starts here.
Your Career Accelerator advisor is Chrissy Cruz. You can make an appointment with her through Calendly by going to https://calendly.com/chrissycruz
You may apply for a social security number ONLY if you have been offered a job on-campus or if you have been granted practical training (CPT or OPT) employment authorization (keep in mind that practical training options are generally not available to new students). An SSN will be given to you for employment purposes only, NOT for purposes such as applying for credit cards, renting an apartment, etc.
If you do have a job offer and need an SSN, you must apply for a social security number through your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office. If the SSN is for an on-campus job you must first bring your offer letter to ISSS because an ISSS advisor must sign off on the letter from your hiring department. For the SSA location nearest you, please visit the Office of Social Security and type in your zip code. You may also call 1-800-772-1213 or visit International Students and Social Security. You may download the social security application (Form SS-5) online.
To request an appointment with a Career Coach, follow these steps:
Log into Handshake
Go to the “Career Center” drop down menu located at the top right-hand of your profile
Click on “Appointments”
Click on “Schedule A New Appointment” and select your preferred campus or virtual outlet with the topic of “General Career Counseling”
The total hours of your employment on campus cannot exceed a maximum of 20 hours per week when you are in classes and 30 hours per week during breaks.
Yes, but the total hours cannot exceed a maximum of 20 hours per week between both employers. You must obtain authorization from ISSS.
Yes. If you are planning to work off-campus in the U.S. you must get authorization for either Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). To apply for either of these F-1 employment benefits, you must view the online employment workshop on the ISSS website, or attend a live employment workshop hosted by ISSS. You must complete the workshop acknowledgement form and set up an appointment to meet with an ISSS advisor before engaging in any type of off-campus employment. Find all the information here on the F-1 Employment page.
No, you must be in the United States to apply for OPT. This is a requirement that has no exception. If you are outside the country and make arrangements to come back to apply in the middle or towards the end of the semester, there is no guarantee that your application will be approved (based on your I-94 information). Do not risk it. Consult with an ISSS Advisor before making any decision. Visit the OPT page for more information.