International Students

We encourage international students to connect with the Career Services Center early in your time at Western so we can help you plan and make the most of your time on campus!

F-1 students are eligible for on-campus employment opportunities. After one full academic year of study in the U.S., students may be eligible to complete internships through Curricular Practical Training (CPT).  Students who want to gain hands-on work experience in the U.S. after graduation can pursue Optional Practical Training (OPT).  Learn more about these employment options.

J-1 students are eligible for on-campus employment opportunities.  Students can also pursue work related to their field of study (paid or unpaid) through Academic Training. Academic Training can begin during your studies or within 30 days after completing studies in the U.S. Learn more about these employment options.​

Finding a job/internship in the U.S. can take time. If you are interested in pursuing Academic Training, we recommend starting your search at least 1-2 months before you complete your studies at Western. 

Volunteering, working on campus, getting involved in campus clubs and leadership activities, and participating in undergraduate research are all great ways to gain career experience. Many of these opportunities are available to you throughout your time at Western, including during your first year. 

Visit the Student Employment Center website to view current on-campus job openings. Connect with the Career Services Center if you’d like help creating your resume and cover letter or preparing for your interview! 

Handshake is WWU’s main resource for connecting students to job and internship opportunities.  ​

When searching for jobs, you can filter by jobs that do not require U.S. work authorization, jobs that are open to candidates with CPT or OPT, and jobs that are eligible for US visa sponsorship. To add these filters, go to the Jobs page in Handshake, navigate to “All filters,” and scroll to the work authorization section.​

In addition to finding jobs and internships, you can use Handshake to:​

• Connect with employers​
• Attend virtual events and virtual career fairs​
• Schedule appointments with WWU’s career counselors and health professions/graduate school advisors​

Want additional tips from other international students who use Handshake? Check out this Handshake student blog post!

Networking is the process of establishing valuable connections with professionals, peers, and alumni. Building a professional network means you can get advice, referrals, and inside information from experts in your field. In addition, employers often prefer to hire people they know— or who have connections to people they know. ​

Visit our Networking page to learn more and get tips for building your own professional network! 

Schedule an appointment to have a conversation about your specific questions, goals, and next steps!

Find jobs and internships in Handshake! This platform has the most opportunities for current students and recent grads. Add work authorization filters to streamline your search.​

A resource for your job search in the U.S and/or internationally. You can use GoinGlobal to identify U.S. employers who have hired students with OPT and sponsored H1B candidates and more!​

Complete a micro-Internship—short-term, paid, professional projects available to international students with approved Curricular Practical Training, Optional Practical Training (OPT), or other work authorization.

You will need to confirm your eligibility to work before you apply to projects. Contact WWU’s International Student & Scholar Services regarding information on your work authorization to ensure compliance with internship requirements and USCIS regulations.​

Learn more about Parker Dewey.