International Student Resources

The Career Success Center is here to support international students as they gain experience and grow as professionals. Below is some information and resources to help you get started.

Support on Campus

International Student Services

The International Student Services Office at Austin Peay State University is dedicated to providing comprehensive support and fostering a vibrant and inclusive campus community for international students. Our mission is to empower and enhance the academic, personal, and cultural experiences of international and domestic students by offering a range of services, programs, and resources that promote their success, well-being, and intercultural competence. Our English Language Institute also offers a diversified, high-quality English language program for students wanting to improve their English language skills.

Understanding Your Visa

• InHerSight is a website that rates employers on how supportive they are for the women who work there. This can be another useful data point to help you decide whether a company might be a good fit for you.

• International Student Services is your resource to understanding your visa status and the federal government’s rules associated with working in the US.

• H1-B Visas/Non-Immigrant Temporary Work Visa

  • Some F-1 and J-1 visa holders may be eligible to change their status in the U.S. and acquire H-1B status. In order to qualify for H-1B visa status, you must first have a job offer with an employer who is willing to file an H-1B petition on your behalf with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). H-1B visa status is reserved for individuals in “specialty occupations” which are jobs requiring at least a Bachelor’s degree. An attorney is usually hired by the employer, in order to file the H-1B holders to known as the “H-1B cap”. There are separate 20,000 H-1B visas available for foreign nationals who earn at least a Master’s degree from a U.S. institution as well.
  • Some employers are exempt from the H-1B cap, such as institutions of higher education and non-profit research organizations associated with those institutions. In recent years, the H-1B cap has been reached with more than double the allotted number of petitions filed; because over half of those who apply for H-1B visa do not receive it, many U.S. employers are hesitant to hire international applications. For current information about the number of petitions received and deadlines, visit uscis.gov.

Resume and Interview Tips

Check out our Gov Resume Tip Sheet for advice on resume format and content, and you can also find sample resumes in the resume resource section. As an international student remember to:

• Exclude your international addresses or any other personal information (e.g. birth date, photo)

• Include your language skills and fluencies, but do not include English if you are using the document for applying to positions in the US.

If you are an F-1 student, explain that you have the legal right to work in the United States for 12 months while remaining under your student status (this is the Optional Practical Training). Then tell them that you can renew your authorization to work for a further three to six years with a H-1B work visa. Avoid the word “sponsor” in the conversation and use the term “petition”. Remember that you probably know more about immigration laws than your potential employer.

Talking to Employers

When to reveal status as an international student:

• Networking, Career Expos, Employer Tabling - No need to draw attention to your status when talking to potential employers; focus on your qualification related to the position and build relationships. If the employer asks, tell them you are legally eligible to work in the U.S. and briefly explain the CPT/OPT process.

• Job Application - Do not include visa status on your resume, you may be asked to answer yes/no to current work authorization status and the need for sponsorship in the future, make sure to answer truthfully. 

• Interview - If asked, briefly explain the CPT/OPT and H-1B application (if applies). Ask the employer what their policies are regarding hiring foreign nationals and if they have petitioned for H-1B employees in the past. 

• Offer - Don’t wait until getting an offer to reveal your status. Be honest and be open. Make sure you have the CPT approval or the EAD card (for OPT applicant) before you start working.

Network Your way to a job

In the U.S. it is common to find employment because of having the right connections. The ability to make connections with people, or networking, is a skill you can begin developing when you enter college.

• Begin talking with faculty members and fellow students. Many faculty members have experience outside of the university context and maintain professional contacts with their former colleagues. 

• Start attending networking functions where alumni will be in attendance, it will prove to be helpful for you to connect with people who have already successfully found employment here in the U.S. and can provide you with insight about the process. 

• The best way to find companies that are willing to hire international students is to talk to other international students and alumni. Know you can reach out to U.S. employers to ask about international student hiring practices.

• Joining a professional association related to your field of interest is also a wonderful way to make connections with those who can provide you with sound advice about how to find jobs in a particular field.

  • For names of professional associations, speak with a faculty member in your department or use the Career Success Center resource “What Can I Do With This Major?”

For visa and CPT help, visit:
International White House
325 Drane Street
Email: iss@apsu.edu
Phone: (931) 221-6400

Featured Resource

Interstride

Interstride is a great online resource for career-related information and tolls for international students. You can find job listings, real-time hiring trends, employer information, career assessments, and cultural tools and tips, among other resources.

Job Research

Resources to Identify Employers Who are International Friendly (H-1B/OPT)

• See the latest report of Top 100 H-1B Visa Sponsors

• Goinglobal - Found in Handshake’s Resource section

• Finding participating employers

• United OPT – The Nation of Jobs

Resources to Identify International Employers

• Search for International Companies

Resources to Identify Jobs and Internships Abroad

• Online Platform to find International Experiences