Resources for International Students

Academic Internship Program - Application Process for International Students

1. Contact the Center for Global Engagement (internationaloffice@rmu.edu) to ensure eligibility for an off campus internship and understand the potential limitations.

• You must complete one year of full-time enrollment (Fall/Spring).
• Your internship must be related to your studies and major.
• F1 students can only work 20 hours per week while taking other courses.
• Full-time CPT is typically only an option in Summer (as long as you do not take other courses).
• CPT/immigration approval is tied to your academic class dates. For example, if the class is from August 28 to December 15, your work authorization is from August 28 to December 15.
• Enrollment in an internship course through the Academic Internship Program is required for paid internships and highly recommended for unpaid internships.

2. Review the Academic Department Criteria for Internships.

• Academic Department Criteria for Internships.

3. Find an Internship.

• The Job & Internship Search Strategies for International Students section provides helpful resources to assist you in finding an internship.

4. Submit an application on Revolution using the appropriate form.

• Be sure to include ALL required information.
• You must attach your most recent resume to the application and upload it on Handshake.
• You must attach the Required Employer Information (a PDF of the email response from your employer).
• Your employer must be approved in Handshake. (Please contact the Career Center if you have questions.)
• Application Form

5. The Career Center will review your application for completeness and accuracy.

• If there are any questions about the Required Employer Information that you attached, the Career Center may reach out to your employer to obtain additional details.
• If your employer is not approved in Handshake, the Career Center will contact your employer about the registration and approval process. (The length of time varies on how long this process may take.)
• If there is anything further that is needed from you, the Career Center will reach out to you directly.

6. The Career Center will forward your application to the appropriate Department Head.

The Department Head will review your application:

• Review if you have met the Department Criteria for your major.
• Verify there is room in your Degree Audit for internship credits.
• Review the Required Employer Information.
• Give the final approval or denial.

7. You will receive a notification from Revolution of the decision. If approved, the Department Head will let you know the following:

• name of course you need to register for/or will be registered for
• who your faculty instructor is
• where the internship course will be located on your Degree Audit in Banner

8. If approved for the academic internship via the Revolution process:

• Provide the Center for Global Engagement with a letter or email from the company offering you the job that verifies the dates you will be employed, hours per week you will be working, and the job description.
• Complete CPT application found here.

9. CPT approval is listed on your I20.

• Wait to begin any internship work until the CPT approval is listed on your I20.

10. Repeat the process.

• Repeat the process if the internship employer wants you to continue beyond a semester or if you have another internship opportunity for a future semester.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, please contact:

Linda Graziani (RSBUS)- grazianil@rmu.edu
Beth Miller (SEMS/SIHSS/SNEHS)- millerb@rmu.edu

Job & Internship Search Strategies for International Students

Before searching for a position through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT), consult with the Center for Global Engagement (CGE) to discuss your eligibility, the immigration criteria, and the application process. Contact the CGE via email at internationaloffice@rmu.edu. Refer to the CGE’s International Student Employment website for more information. To apply for academic credit for an internship through the Academic Internship Program, please refer to the Application Process for International Students.

In EVERY case, the Center for Global Engagement must also be notified BEFORE you begin working (internationaloffice@rmu.edu).

Search Strategies

Understanding the U.S. Hiring Process & How to Market Yourself

• Since the job search process can differ by country, utilize Career Center resources to become familiar with standards and expectations in the U.S. for resumes, cover letters and interviewing.
• Market the unique strengths you offer as an international student such as proficiency in multiple languages, global/ cultural awareness, adaptability to new environments, flexibility, problem-solving and resourcefulness.

Understanding the Pittsburgh & U.S. Job Market

Identify occupations/fields in demand to target your search. Pittsburgh Resources:

• Pittsburgh Business Times (latest news about Pittsburgh businesses, available in the RMU Library)
• Pittsburgh Technology Council (provides a link to TEQ Magazine, the definitive resource for and about technology and emerging growth companies across southwestern PA, and the Pittsburgh Tech Map, featuring more than 600 tech companies by category)

Consider geographic areas with a low unemployment rate (especially for full-time positions/OPT).

• Unemployment Rates for States (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• Unemployment Rates for Large Metropolitan Areas (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Job Postings & Internet Sites

• Review the CPDC’s Safe Online Job Hunting Quick Tips.

Handshake

• Log in to your Handshake profile.
• Click the “Jobs” link and enter your search criteria. On the initial page, you may enter a job title, employer or keyword in the search box. Click “All Filters” for additional search options including Work Authorization:
  - Jobs that do not require US work authorization
  - Jobs that are eligible for US visa sponsorship
  - Jobs that are open to candidates with Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and/or Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Additional Sites

• Indeed
• LinkedIn
• Pittsburgh Technology Council- Career Connector

Employer Research/Contacting Employers

• Identify companies/organizations of interest by using the Employers section of Handshake. You may search by Keyword, Location, Employer Size, and Industry.
• Learn about organizations through the Pittsburgh Business Times Book of Lists which contains a list of the largest companies/organizations for various fields (available in the RMU Library).
• Target global organizations including organizations from your home country that operate in the United States.
• Check organization websites and look for links such as “Careers” or “Employment” to search for internship or job postings. Sometimes these links may appear in a “Contact Us” section. Apply to any postings of interest.
• If you are interested in the organization but do not see any postings, consider contacting them to inquire about options. Most websites will include a general contact email address. Send a professional email introducing yourself, your educational background and any related work experience/projects/skills. Indicate your interest in the organization and inquire if they have any internship opportunities or positions available.

Top Employers for CPT & OPT

• 2019 Top 200 Employers for CPT Students (Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
• 2019 Top 200 Employers for OPT and STEM OPT Students (Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
• H-1B Employer Data Hub - search employers who have submitted petitions to employ H-1B non-immigrant workers (Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)

Networking

• Speak with your networking contacts to learn about career options and ask for internship and job search advice.
• Start with people you know: family, friends, professors, advisors, staff, neighbors, etc.
• Join professionally focused clubs and organizations on campus and attend meetings. Ask other student members about their internship experiences. Search Revolution for RMU clubs and organizations.
• Consider joining a professional association related to your field and attending local meetings. Ask faculty for suggestions of professional associations related to your major. Some associations also share job postings.
• Utilize LinkedIn to connect with alumni and other professionals working in your field.
• Refer to the Networking Quick Tips and the Job Search Curriculum (networking) in Big Interview for more info.

Job Fairs & Networking Events

• Refer to the “Events” link on Handshake for a list of upcoming job fairs and networking events.
• Research the employers who will be attending.
• Practice how you will introduce yourself.
• Make sure your resume is tailored and error-free.

Career Center Resource Library

The Resource Library provides access to a variety of helpful resources including Handshake, Big Interview, Vault and Career Quick Tips. 

Handshake, the Career Center’s job posting and event management system, offers the option to filter job postings by work authorization including jobs open to candidates with Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and/or Optional Practical Training (OPT).  Vault features job search blog articles tailored to international students.  Big Interview provides tips for students who speak English as a second language and students who are unfamiliar with how the American job interview may differ from interviews in other countries.