Job Hunting as an International Student at NYU

Finding a job can be tricky, but NYU has many resources to help. Handshake is by far my favorite job resource. It is exclusive to NYU students, and where to find jobs and internships. Two of my on-campus jobs, Admissions Ambassadors and Orientation Leader, were found through Handshake. I could even apply and get application updates through the portal itself. 

Navigating Handshake can feel daunting because of the sheer amount of available jobs. At any given time, there are about 80,000 jobs on Handshake, which is more than the number of NYU students across all three campuses! The easiest way to find jobs?  Narrow down your search filters based on your major, location, immigration status, and other fields. 

As an international student you are typically either an F-1 or a J-1 student, so you would require some type of sponsorship now or in the future. Make sure you indicate that on your application!

The Wasserman Center for Career Development is another great resource for career development. I got help from career counselors for my resume and job interviews. 

As an international student you typically have two options to gain professional experience while in or after college: optional practical training (OPT) or curricular practical training (CPT). When you do an internship, it will typically fall into one of these two categories. 

OPT and CPT offer you the change to gain real-world experience in your field of study as an international student. OPT lets students work in jobs directly related to their major for up to 12 months, with STEM students eligible for an additional extension. In contrast, CPT lets students engage in internships and practical training integral to their curriculum, without needing to apply to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. By leveraging these programs, you can enhance your skills, build professional networks, and enrich your educational journey before you even graduate.

Another important resource that is helpful in the job application process as an international student is the Office of Global Services (OGS). When you first get into NYU, OGS helps you with your visa and provides other immigration resources. Later, when you are in the process of applying to jobs, they can assist you with your OPT or CPT. They’re there to help!

Overall, being in college and having jobs has greatly helped me build my professional experience. I also learned how to budget and handle a bank account. Navigating the immigration process during college has also helped me learn how to navigate it after I graduate. Using the resources provided to me has been the biggest factor in helping me learn. It’s essential to know how to efficiently navigate them and put them to use.

At the end of the day, you do not need to be working in college, but does it help you tremendously? Yes! So, as my parting word, I will say: Do what feels best for you and make use of all the opportunities and resources offered to you because you only get to be a college student once!