Hawks International

A little pocket money

Samir Quintero
Money

Getting Your SSN Card and a Job 

During your time as an international student in the United States, you may decide you want to get a job; whether it is to lighten the cost of your tuition, gain some work experience, or just have a little extra pocket money to spend. 
Keep in mind, though, that as an international student on a visa in the U.S., you can’t just go out and get any job you want. There are regulations you must follow. Working illegally will land you in hot water with the U.S. government, and nobody wants that. 

What to do First 

Before beginning the process of finding a job, contact your Designated School Official. At Roger Williams University, the person entitled to assist international students is Cassidy Hammond, the Assistant Director of International Student Life. She will help you to apply for a Social Security Number which is required for all students working in the U.S. and will guide you through all the appropriate steps. 

Employment Opportunities 

The Department of Homeland Security outlines four ways for international students to legally work in the U.S. on an F1 or student visa: 1) On-Campus Employment, 2) Off-Campus Employment, 3) Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and 4) Optional Practical Training (OPT).

On-Campus employment is the most freely available to F1 students and refers to work that takes place on campus or at an educationally affiliated off-campus location. In other words, you could work somewhere on the school’s grounds, such as the bookstore, library, dorms, mail center, or cafeteria. However, it might also be possible to find a job somewhere off-campus like at a research lab that is affiliated with the university. 

Useful Tips 

On-Campus employment is the only type you can pursue starting in your first academic year and you may apply as early as 30 days before classes start. It might also be useful to know that, work hours are limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session, but you can work full time during holidays and vacation periods. Thus, if you chose to work more than one on-campus job, your total combined hours per week cannot exceed 20 hours. 

  • Take Advantage of the School’s Resources 

RWU’s Career Center offers a variety of career services, and they have a good deal of experience in helping students to find jobs and internships. If you want to take a step forward, you will take advantage of these services, and you will set up a meeting with your career advisor to discuss your specific situation and goals. It is also in your best interest to attend career fairs and talk to the recruiters, build relationships, and then make sure to follow up with them for potential job interviews.

  • Internships 

In my own experience, it is more efficient for F1 visa students to start with Curricular Practical Training or internships. The CPT requires that your internship is based on your major since you also may receive academic credit for your practicum. Furthermore, having that kind of experiences makes a really good resume builder and will be more valuable when trying to enter the work force in your specific field. 

  • Networking 

The vast majority of jobs are found through solid connections. Take advantage of the school’s community; talk to alumni groups who have gone through the same process you are. You can also join a club, it can help to attend various events to build your network of connections. Another good advice I can give you in order to stay well informed about what is going on in your industry, is to make a profile on websites such as LinkedIn or Handshake. Those networking sites will allow you to start connecting with people that can help you navigate through your job search. 
 

Hawks International