Career Services
For international students, navigating the job market can be incredibly difficult. In response to the job search related challenges faced by international students, here are some resources that will help international candidates in navigating this process.
Work Authorization
OPT is a type of off-campus work/practical training authorization for degree-seeking students who wish to gain experience in jobs directly related to their major area of study. OPT may be used before or after a student completes their degree.
OPT acquired before degree completion is referred to as Pre-completion OPT.
OPT acquired after degree completion is referred to as Post-completion OPT.
Most F-1 students will apply for post-completion OPT to get practical training/work experience in the U.S. after completing their academic programs.
F-1 students who have earned a degree in a STEM-designated field may be eligible to apply for an additional 24 months of OPT.
More in-depth information regarding student work authorization (CPT/OPT), career development resources, and the overall U.S. job search is available in the International Graduate Student Guide to the U.S Job Search.
INTERSTRIDE
Interstride is a platform that offers support for international students and postdocs on their US and international job search process. It is an interactive portal that provides insights, community, and job opportunities. Both domestic and international students can find resources for living and working abroad – whether for study abroad, a summer internship, or a full-time job.
To access the platform, go to https://www.interstride.com/university-of-chicago/ and click on student login. That will bring you to shibboleth and you can proceed to create an account directly from there. Contact josephinecai@uchicago.edu if you have questions.
UChicagoGRad Events
UChicagoGRAD regularly offers career events tailored to the needs of international students and postdocs.
Our weekly Career30 series provide essential advice on navigating the US job market, and we offer a “US Job Search for International Students” panel at our annual GRADUCon conference as well as an “International Academe” panel at our annual Academic Job Market Summer Camp.
Stay up-to-date on these and other offerings by viewing the upcoming events in GRAD Gargoyle.
Advising
UChicagoGRAD’s career team, along with International Student Initiatives at UChicagoGRAD, provides one-on-one advising tailored to the needs of international students and postdocs.
Our career advisors can help you discern your professional priorities, understand US job market norms, and navigate the complexities of communicating with potential employers.
UChicagoGRAD’s international advisor, Josephine Cai, offers coaching on navigating your professional identity and adjusting to US professional and academic cultures.
Students and postdocs seeking feedback on their academic writing can meet with writing advisors or ESL/EAL tutors.
You can also reserve fellowship advising appointments to identify relevant fellowships and/or receive advice about applying to specific fellowships. Book an appointment via GRAD Gargoyle.
You can also refer to this page for related international student career resources.
Career Guides
The GRAD Gargoyle Content Library contains a number of helpful written guides, including the International Graduate Student Guide to the Job Search in the United States.