Most international students who come to pursue graduate education in USA are worried about the high tuition costs and living expenses associated with their stay in the country. Hence, they are lured into the option of working part-time while studying in order to supplement their expenses. As an international student who is on a student (F-1) visa, it is crucial to be aware of the regulations imposed by the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) in terms of student employment.
As a full-time international student, one can work up to 20 hours per week while college is in session at an on-campus position. This part-time employment does not require USCIS approval and is normally allowed after authorisation from the International Student Office (ISO) prior to the student accepting the on-campus job. Many academic universities permit students to undertake such jobs only during their second academic year and not during the student's first semester. Typically, an on-campus job is not related to the student's chosen course or study and such positions are limited in number and highly competitive among international students to obtain.
On-campus employment is defined as employment inside the university's premises and for work done in departments and university services such as at the bookstore, cafeteria, dining services, library, gymnasium and academic departments that have a need for a grader, teaching assistant or an administrative assistant. These are mostly seasonal jobs and last for the duration of the semester and a student may have to find another on-campus position at the end of the semester.
Ganesh Dabholkar who is pursuing his MS in Information Technology at Worcester Polytechnic Institute is working as a student assistant at his university's bookstore. “The income from my part-time job is not a large amount of money, but it helps me with my grocery expenses. Since I have my own income, I need not ask my parents to send me money for living expenses.”
Landing an on-campus job is the major challenge that many students face. Often, international students have to compete with each other to get these coveted jobs, which are usually few in number. They have to work around their class schedules, lab and project deadlines, allot time for studying, completing assignments and commit to the hours and timings that the on-campus position would demand of them.
Kaushik Shankar considers himself fortunate for having found a job as a cashier at his university's cafeteria. “There are hundreds of students wanting to work at on-campus dining services, but there are around fifty part-time jobs available. I had to apply for this job, even before I found a place to live in. When my senior told me about the vacancy for a night shift cashier at the cafeteria, I jumped at the opportunity since it would not interfere with my class schedule and study time during the day.”
For students looking to find an on-campus part time job, here are some pointers:
Start your search early
Starting your on-campus job hunt as early as possible will give you an added advantage over your peers. Networking with seniors from your own country is the quickest way to find out about the job vacancy even before it is posted or advertised on student bulletin boards. As you walk around familiarising yourself with the campus, stop at several departments and university offices and feel free to drop a copy of your resume or hand it out to let folks know that you are looking for on-campus employment. Make sufficient copies of your resume in advance. Step out of your comfort zone and be cheerful and pleasant as you talk to people and be prepared for an impromptu interview, in case someone has an opening and wants to interview you.
Keep your priorities straight
While a part-time job on campus can bring some much needed valuable money and also gives you a chance to gain work experience in a foreign environment, remember that your top priority is your education. Plan your schedule such that your on campus work timings don't conflict with your class-time and study hours. Getting used to a rigorous and new curriculum in an American institution can be demanding and stressful. Be realistic and think about how much time you have available to do it all- studying, working and handling living on your own with new roommates in foreign soil. Finally, remember that immigration laws in USA are very strict and as an international student on a F1 student visa you are not allowed to work off campus. Taking up a part time job off campus is illegal and will result in deportation to the home country forever.
Source:The Hindu
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