How to Find Internship Opportunities While Studying in the US

While participation in these programs is not free of limitations for international students, they still offer amazing opportunities for gaining experience in your chosen field and developing your career. In order to be eligible for a CPT internship, you must have completed your first year at university and the internship must be related to your field of study. Some CPT internship opportunities are paid and some not.

This type of internship can be undertaken while you are still studying or after graduation, and can be up to 12 months. Because this program allows international students to search for a job in the US after completing their studies, it is best to take advantage of this opportunity after you graduate. An OPT internship doesn’t need to be directly related to your degree, but the process is a little bit more complicated than in the case of the CPT program, so you will need to talk with your DSO about getting approval.

Now that you know the conditions and regulations, you can start searching for your dream internship. The smartest way of doing that is by finding out if your university offers career programs for students. Most US universities offer guidance for students who wish to undertake an internship and can walk you through the possibilities out there.

For instance, Oklahoma City University has a partnership with The Washington Center and is able to offer its students opportunities for full-time internships in the nation’s capital. The internship is tailored to the interest of the student and provides many benefits, including academic credit, lectures by national and international leaders, embassy visits, and workshops.

If you’re studying social sciences, you may benefit from an internship program such as those tailored by the University of Idaho for psychology or communication students. These programs are basically structured experiences that are offered each semester, to help students discover more about their field of employment.

Another example is provided by Southern New Hampshire University, which has developed partnerships with numerous employers, designed to help students find internships and full-time jobs in their field of study. Participants are paid between $8-15 per hour depending on the industry and job description, as well as their own skills and experience. You can choose to work on a semester basis or during summer break. You will benefit from career guidance before choosing your internship, and will then be put in touch with your desired employer for an interview. 

Now that you have all the information you need, you’re ready to start an extraordinary career!