Our Diverse Populations resources have been compiled to assist you with exploring how ethnicity, sexual orientation, veteran status, and other diversity topics affect career exploration and development. Its purpose is to highlight Career Center resources to assist you with your career planning as it relates to your diverse identities.
This page, specifically dedicated to assisting our international student population, aims to provide advice and guidance for the international students at the University of Mississippi in relation to finding jobs and internships and providing other career resources.
What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?
OPT provides authorization for temporary employment for practical training directly related to the student’s major area of study as listed on the I-20.
The approval process involves you, your department, International Student and Scholar Services and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service.
Process for getting OPT
- Decide if you want to file your application by mail or using the USCIS online system. Most of our students are using the online system.
- If using the online option, create your account at the above link and begin to fill out the I-765 form in your account. Do not pay the fee and submit it yet! Save a pdf of your dravft I-765.
- If you’ll be applying by mail, fil out the I-765 form: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765
- Return to isss.olemiss.edu to upload the copy of your I-765 and other supporting documents. Complete the questionnaires to request an I-20 from us with the OPT recommendation.
- Your academic advisor will be sent an email isss system asking that they confirm your expected program completion date.
- An ISSS advisor will review your materials and give you the new I-20 Then you will file your application by mail or online with USCIS.
What is Curriculum Practical Training (CPT)?
Curriculum Practical Training (CPT) is temporary employment authorization for F-1 visa non-immigrant international students in the United States while enrolled in a college-level degree program.
CPT can be alternative work/ study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through collective agreements with the university or college.
Process for getting an internship using CPT
- Prepare
- Check with international student and scholar services (ISSS) to make sure you will be eligible to apply for CPT.
- Check with your academic advisor for enrolling in a course to obtain credit for the internship.
- Apply for Internships
- Search and apply for internships that are related to your major.
- Take advantage of Career center services and resources and look for internship opportunities posted on LinkedIn, Indeed, and Handshake.
- When you accept an offer for an internship…
- Submit CPT paperwork to the office of International programs.
- Paperwork Processing
- Receive I-20 with CPT authorization on page two from the office of International programs.
- Your department will review your internship report for approval.
Career Guides
Most Popular Majors for International Students in the U.S.
Choosing a Major: An International Student Guide
Internship and Career Advice for International Students
USA Guide: A Look at American Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette
Challenges for International Students in the United States
Interviewing Tips for International Students
Campus Resources
Office of International Programs
Employer Regulations for International Students
International and American Student Alliance
University of Mississippi International Student Organizations
Online Resources
GoinGlobal
GoinGlobal provides expert advice for finding jobs at home and abroad. This site includes more than 35,000 country-specific career and employment resources, corporate profiles for key employers in 31 countries, worldwide internship/job listings and global chat rooms.
HOW TO LOG ON:
- Log into your Handshake.
- Click on “Career Center” in the upper right corner of the page.
- Click on Resources when the drop-down list appears.
- Click on GoinGlobal
- Click the link for the Country Career Guide or USA/Canada City Career Guide to access.
Asian American Journalists Association
A national, nonprofit educational and professional association dedicated to encouraging young Asian Pacific Americans to enter the ranks of journalism.
Passport Career provides databases containing country-specific career and employment resources including job search resources, worldwide job/internship listings, and corporate profiles. (Free access to Indiana University School of Informatics and Computing students, contact Career Services for a registration key.)
This site lists job postings in Japan and in the U.S., as well as additional cultural resources.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provides information about student and work visas, application for citizenship, and immigration laws and regulations.
This site offers global career resources for American and visiting foreign national students.
An online database of American employers for international students.
The WWW Virtual Library: International Affairs Resources
International Affairs Resource- Comprehensive guide to resources, contacts, and other information relevant to International Affairs on the Internet. Includes career-related resources and new positions.
International Student.com was started by a group of international students living in New York City with the goal of helping other students deal with the American immigration authorities and the education system.
The most trusted source for contact information of multinational companies.
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