Why Hire UConn’s International Students?
International students at UConn:
- bring a wealth of diversity and global perspectives to your organization;
- contribute to a competitive talent pool;
- significantly add to national, state, and local economies across the United States;
- can broaden the reach of your organization through their networks;
- account for 7% of UConn’s undergraduate and 21% of UConn’s graduate student population (2022-2023), with degrees from all schools and colleges of the university.
How the UConn Center for Career Development Can Help
The Center for Career Development has a career development team serving UConn’s international students. The team consists of career center staff who provide career readiness programming and career coaching specific to international student career preparation; and who guide employers interested in hiring these students. Our goal is to make it easy for employers to connect with international talent and to ensure that the students are prepared to contribute to your hiring needs within and beyond the U.S.
To learn more about hiring UConn’s international students, please contact our dedicated Corporate Partner Relations Team member: Christina Badini | Assistant Director, Corporate Partner Relations | christina.badini@uconn.edu
General Hiring Guidelines
Work Authorization
Hiring an international student or recent graduate through CPT or OPT (for F-1 visa holders) or Academic Training (AT) for J-1 visa holders requires little to no paperwork or any cost to the employer.
Student Immigration
Most international students come to the U.S. on an F-1 or J-1 visa. Requirements are outlined in the Work Authorization Options chart. International students are allowed to obtain work authorization under specific circumstances, whether during their studies or after graduation.
Posting a Job or Internship on Handshake
When posting a career opportunity on Handshake, UConn’s online internship/job platform, you will be prompted to answer a few questions regarding work authorization. To learn more about best practices for recruiting and hiring workers, visit The United States Department of Justice, Best Practices for Recruiting and Hiring Workers.
Be prepared to answer the following questions asked in Handshake when posting an internship/job so students can understand your hiring needs:
- Does this position require U.S. work authorization?
- Eligibility for international students (non-US citizens or permanent residents). Would you sponsor a work visa for the right candidate?
- Are you willing to hire candidates that are temporarily authorized to work for a defined period in their field of study? (e.g. for a job/internship under Occupational Practical Training/Curricular Practical Training (OPT/CPT).
For more information about these work authorizations, visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
To learn how to set up internships and recruit UConn students, please visit our Employer Guide to Undergraduate & Graduate Internships and Co-ops. You can post a job or internship on Handshake.
Overview of Work Authorization Options
| Curricular Practical Training (CPT) F-1 Visa Holders | Optional Practical Training (OPT) F-1 Visa Holders | STEM Extension F-1 Visa Holders | Academic Training (AT) J-1 Visa Holders | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Authorization to participate in employment that is integral to degree program Takes place before program completion Paid or unpaid | Authorization allowing students to accept employment that is directly related to student’s field of study May take place during and/or immediately following degree program Paid or unpaid | Extension of OPT Limited to students in STEM designated fields Employment must be directly related to student’s field of study Takes place immediately following 12-month OPT Paid only | Authorization to participate in employment that is directly related to field of study/integral to exchange program May take place before or immediately following program completion Paid or unpaid |
| Student Requirements | Must have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year Must have job offer to apply May only work for authorized employer | Must have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year No job offer required to apply Not employer specific | Must be based on STEM designated degree Must have a job or job offer from an E-Verify employer to apply Not employer-specific | Must be enrolled in a full-time academic or exchange program Must have a specific offer at time of application May not be a tenure track position (if teaching) |
| Employer Requirements | Provide student with an offer letter that includes: – How the experience is training in nature – Description of duties – Start & end date – Hours per week – Physical address of employment | None | Participate in E-Verify and provide student with E-Verify number Provide student with EIN number Complete Training Plan with student & train and supervise student Remote/Third Party Employment: Not appropriate unless directly supervised by employer. Report any termination of employment within 5 days | Provide student with an offer letter that includes: – Student’s job title – Start & end date – Physical address of employment – Name of supervisor |
| Length of Employment | Based on program requirements Employment dates correspond with university’s academic calendar | Up to 12 months per degree level Full or part time Must be full-time after degree completion | Up to 24 months Must be full-time | Up to 18 months, or equal to duration of academic program, whichever is shorter Post-doctoral students may be authorized for an additional 18 months |
| Processing Time | Approximately two weeks | Approximately 90 days | Approximately 90 days | Approximately two weeks |
| Proof of Authorization | Authorized dates and employer will be indicated on the student’s Form I-20 | Employment Authorization Document (EAD) indicating dates authorized to work | Employment Authorization Document (EAD) indicating dates authorized to work | Authorized dates and employer will be indicated on the student’s Form DS-2019 |
Employing Beyond OPT
*This information is provided by Interstride and reproduced with permission
If you wish to retain your talent beyond OPT authorization you can explore:
H-1B (Responsibility to pursue resides with the employer)
To continue employment beyond OPT or Academic Training (AT), the most common option is for the employer to sponsor the graduate as an H-1B “temporary worker.” Applications for H-1B are submitted to the USCIS by the sponsoring company on behalf of the international employee.
Duration & Timeline
H-1B status is initially granted for up to three years but can be renewed for a total of six years.
Employer’s Role
You are responsible for filing the H-1B petition on behalf of the international employee. Many companies find that retaining an experienced immigration attorney is helpful to facilitate the process.
Resources for Employers
UConn Center for Career Development Employer Page
U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) – Information for Employers & Employees
U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) – E-Verify Information
DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List – last updated Jan. 21, 2022 – A complete list of fields of study that DHS considers to be science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields of study for purposes of the 24-month STEM OPT Extension
Please note that this content should be used for informational purposes only; it is NOT a substitute for professional legal advice.
