International Students

Welcome to the international student affinity community page!

This web page will provide resources, opportunities and programs to assist you as you explore career interests and prepare for your future. This web page also aims to provide assistance in connecting to other international students, navigating the job search process in your home country, abroad or in the United States and including information and techniques helpful to adapting your job search to the location’s laws, culture and societal norms.

This web page is designed to be open to all Binghamton University students, faculty and staff regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and is consistent with all current governing federal and state nondiscrimination law.

Interstride New Feature: Explore Sponsored Jobs

Interstride now features sponsored jobs in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and the UAE.

You can explore these opportunities in the Job’s tab today!

New Course: US Employment & Immigration Pathways for International PhDs and Postdocs

This course provides information on green card pathways and temporary visa pathways for PhDs and Postdocs. The course includes tips on strategic planning for careers and immigration.

View upcoming Interstride Webinars here.

International Student Career Planning Guide

International students at Binghamton University may have unique concerns and questions about how to successfully prepare for job searching in the United States. This affinity group will provide you with some helpful resources as well as connect you to offices that can help you navigate ways to stand out as a competitive candidate for U.S. jobs and internships.

Also check out our Undergraduate Student and Graduate Student pages for additional career development resources, including the job search timeline.

Career and Professional Development Timeline for International Students

Get to know the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) and the many resources they provide.
Understand the process of applying for work authorization (CPT) for off-campus employment in the U.S. during your studies and how to apply for social security. F-1 and J-1 students are allowed to work on campus up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full time during breaks. However, any off-campus work, including for internships, requires authorization in advance. In addition, the work must be directly related to your major, and you must register for at least one credit during each semester of the CPT authorization. Please contact ISSS before beginning employment.
Learn about resumes, interviewing, and other aspects of the U.S. job search. Check out our Career Guide.

Make an appointment with a career consultant at Fleishman Center to begin discussing your interests and career goals.
Experience U.S. networking, including building a LinkedIn profile or conducting informational interviews with alumni. Check out the guide to “Successful Networking Strategies for International Students“. Also check out Fleishman Center’s Networking Guide.
Master’s students can start looking for on-campus employment or research opportunities, during the first year of their academic program. You can find these opportunities on Handshake as well as through the Graduate School’s website. International students on F-1 visas need to have enrolled for at least one full academic year (two semesters) in their current degree program before the start date of their CPT. Any off-campus employment during an international students’ academic program requires a work authorization.
Start researching companies in areas of interest and understand recruiting timelines for your industry of interest.
Prepare an elevator pitch to introduce yourself to employers (tips can be found in our Career Guide) and practice for your upcoming interviews on Big Interview. This is a free resource for all registered Binghamton University students.

Understand the process of applying for post-graduation work authorization (OPT) by visiting the International Student and Scholar Services.
Explore networking opportunities and connect with alumni through Mentor Match and LinkedIn, both international alumni as well as those from your field of interest, to familiarize yourself with the job search process in the United States.

Attend recruiting events, such as Fleishman’s Job and Internship Fair, to learn about companies and to gain experience speaking with U.S. employers.
Gain practice with mock interviews and talking about your skills and experiences. Check out the “Ultimate Guide to US Interviews”.
Continue participating in networking, including company or alumni events, and conduct informational interviews. Check out Fleishman’s NYC Connect Employer Trek’s during the winter break. This event is a week long opportunity to expand your professional network while learning about the industry trends and organizational culture.
Continue applying for internships or pre-graduation experiences. You can utilize job resources such as Interstride, MyVisaJobs, and Handshake. Make sure to filter for employers who accept CPT or OPT. You can use FrogHire.ai’s extension, which integrates with LinkedIn, Indeed, Handshake, Glassdoor, and Google Jobs to filter H-1B friendly and E-verify employers.

Speak with the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) for more information about the OPT processing times and strategies to applying. F-1 students may be eligible for 12 months Optional Practical Training (OPT) authorization, which allows international students to gain professional experience in the U.S. that is directly related to their field of study. Employment under OPT can be paid or unpaid.
Visit the Fleishman Center and make an appointment with us on Handshake for job search strategies and to polish up on your resume, CV, cover letter, and interviewing techniques.
Apply for full-time employment opportunities with employers that hire students on OPT, have sponsored H1-B visas in the past, and have opted for E-Verify (which ensures employers are hiring legally authorized workers in the United States). Students on STEM OPT during their two year extension must find employers who are participating in E-Verify.

Follow up with previously established connections, including career fair contacts, networking contacts, or former internship supervisors to learn about potential opportunities and to request referrals. Check out Fleishman’s Networking Guide on how to reach out and follow up with professional connections.
Apply for post-graduate work experiences in your areas of interest. Check out the recruiting timelines for your industry of interest and start your job search at least a year in advance. You can utilize job resources such as Interstride, MyVisaJobs, and Handshake and filter for employers who accept CPT or OPT and who are E-verify employers. You can use FrogHire.ai’s extension, which integrates with LinkedIn, Indeed, Handshake, Glassdoor, and Google Jobs to filter H-1B friendly and E-verify employers.
Apply for OPT 90 days prior to the date you intent to start working in the U.S. due to the processing time.