Tables in the New York Public Library Reading Room

Gaining experience in college can obviously help with your future. International students have plenty of opportunities to gain professional experiences. Since there are a few more steps to go through as an international student, it can seem a little tricky or overwhelming to hunt for jobs. Through my personal experiences with jobs and internships in college, I have learned about resources that streamline the processes for international students.

During my time here at NYU, I have held three on campus positions, and an internship back home in India. What’s more, I found these opportunities through NYU and networking.

Having jobs while being in college also helped me find my community. I met some of my best friends through on-campus jobs. I would not trade that experience for the world! You gain so much besides professional experience by having a job, whether it’s an on- or off-campus job or internship.

Handshake and the Wasserman Center

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. 

housing interns at NYU
My fellow interns at the Residential Life and Housing Services Office where I worked for the summer! I was able to get this job through some networking.

OPT/CPT for international students

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.

anjana and her fellow ambassadors
Here I am with my fellow Admissions Ambassadors!

The Office of Global Services

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!

Students pose for a large group photo outside of a building in a plaza.

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!

I am currently a senior in the Class of 2025 at the Tandon School of Engineering studying Business and Technology Management concentrating in Strategy, and I also have a minor in Bioethics. I am originally from India but I grew up in Dubai, so I’ve kind of been all over the place. When I’m not working for Admissions Ambassadors or studying you can find me at the closest boba shop or bookstore. And I spend the rest of my free time being an avid Taylor Swift fan.