We also have a page for Undocumented Students who need career resources.
Office of International Student & Scholar Services (ISS)
International Student and Scholar Services, part of the Division of Enrollment Management, is committed to guiding the international student at Brooklyn College. The office aspires to provide high-quality service and support that will help the international student achieve academic and personal success. From welcoming the student on campus to congratulating the student at the graduation ceremony, our staff members help support the international student experience at Brooklyn College.
International Students are also encouraged to take advantage of all other services that are provided to Brooklyn College Students.
> Review this breakdown of support services by office: https://students.brooklyn.edu/knowledge-base/offices-outside-of-magner/
Information from the Department of State and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Agency
The Employment Process in the U.S.
Here are some suggestions to help you with your self-directed job search:
- Research job and internship postings using BC Handshake accessible via the career tab on portal.brooklyn.edu.
- Attend Magner Career Center Events where you can meet employers/alumni and network.
- Network with as many professionals as you can.
- Go to the Job & Internship Fair held each semester.
- To learn more about employers in the United States that temporarily employ foreign students, please visit the H1B Employer Data Hub.
CPT & OPT Breakdown
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) allow F-1 international students to gain U.S. work experience related to their major.
- CPT is typically part of the academic program, requires approval from a school official, and must be completed before graduation; it is limited to a specific employer and timeframe, though students can have multiple CPTs.
- OPT provides flexible work experience that can be completed before or after graduation, is not employer-specific, and does not require course credit. Students are eligible for 12 months of OPT, which is authorized by USCIS and grants an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
Opt4Humanity OPT Visa Sponsorship
Opt4Humanity connects graduating international students with local charities or social impact organizations willing to freely sponsor students’ Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs in roles related to their majors.
FAQs for International Students
Should I list my visa status on my résumé?
Your visa status is typically not included on your resume. In many cases, your educational background and work history will show that you are an international student. Recruitment questions that may be asked include:
- “Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?”
- Yes, you are, providing you apply for and receive CPT or OPT prior to starting any job or internship.
- “Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for an employment visa status (ex. H-1B status)?”
- Yes.
How do I answer when I am asked by an employer about my work authorization as an F-1 student?
> Explain that you have the legal right to work in the US for a specific time frame.
> Explain gaining OPT work authorization is a simple & free process.
> Share that work authorization can be renewed for 3-6 years with an H-1B work visa.
If a company says they do not hire international students, should I even apply?
It depends. If the employer is a federal agency or has a contract with a federal agency, they are not legally allowed to hire foreign nationals. But for many organizations that say they do not hire international students, it may mean that they haven’t hired international students yet. You can educate the employers about the hiring process and why they should hire international students by using the information on the Hiring International Students Employer page.
What can I do to make myself a competitive candidate in the application process?
- In short, take advantage of all of the Magner Center services! These include:
- Having your resume and cover letters reviewed by a career coach.
- Participating in mock interviews.
- If needed, improving your English skills by speaking in class, giving presentations, joining clubs like Smooth Talkers public speaking club, taking courses in the speech department, and expanding your circle of native English speaking friends.
- Creating and actively using LinkedIn.
- Networking! (You’re seeing it mentioned frequently for a reason: it’s important!)
- Other Suggestions include:
- Familiarizing yourself with regulations and benefits attached to your working status through the International Student and Scholar Services (ISS) office.
- Speaking confidently about your skills, interests, and career goals.
- Consider following LinkedIn creators that teach international students how to market their intercultural competencies such as Marcelo Barros and Steve Dalton.
For more information about OPT, CPT, and STEM OPT Extension please visit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Website
List of Employers who have hired International Students
- 1213 Myrtle Ave Management Corp. DBA Stella Property Management
- Abid Tax, LLC
- Amazon.com, Inc. or its subsidiary/affiliate
- Biolo
- Brooklyn Bros Corp.
- Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
- Cetusdata, LLC
- Change Group Americas
- Changing The Present
- Cisco Systems
- Citibank
- Collabera Inc – CIGNA Corporate Services, LLC
- Da Empire Laundromat Inc.
- Dash Technologies Inc.
- Distinct Engineering Solutions, Inc
- Elsanaa PT PC
- Ernst & Young
- Found Objects Music Productions
- Four Square Labs, Inc
- Globe Life and Accident Insurance Company
- HCL America Inc.
- Honey Science Corporation
- IHS Market Ltd.
- Jagone Physical Therapy
- Kettle Solutions, LLC
- Left/Right Inc.
- Lorhan Corporation Inc.
- Magnimind Academy
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- Motion PT Sports Medicine
- Neurnberger Piano Company
- NTT Data Services
- Road to Recovery PT, PC
- Reach Concept LLC
- School for creative Judaism
- Schvvey, Inc. d/b/a Axoni
- SITA Life
- SummitWorks Technologies Inc.
- Tako Corporation
- Triplenet Energy Advisory Services LLC
- UBS Business Solutions US LLC
- University Settlement
- Xincon Home Health Care Service Inc.
- YingHua Academy