If you are an international student seeking a part-time job on campus, an internship or volunteer opportunity off-campus, or a full-time job after graduation, it is essential that you fully understand your eligibility to work in the U.S. Before you start your job or internship search, go to the UC Davis Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS) office and make sure you clearly understand the employment restrictions and requirements based on your visa status. You can visit SISS during open hours or make an advising appointment with an SISS staff member.

Attend SISS on-demand employment authorization workshop for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), STEM OPT 2-year extension and Academic Training.

Other useful links:

• Visa types and uses, from SISS.
• Employment overview and restrictions by visa type, from SISS.
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• GoinGlobal includes an H1B Plus which has access to millions of visa petitions from U.S. employers seeking to hire international talent.

Career Fair Workshops for International Students

The Career Center offers workshops specifically designed for international students and scholars seeking to enhance their skills for career success.

• Prior to every Career Fair, the Career Center partners with SISS to offer workshops specific to international students and scholars about how to Prepare for the Career Fair (for undergraduate, graduate students and postdocs). 
• View our calendar for days and times each quarter.

Talking to Prospective Employers About Your Work Status

It is critical that you know exactly what steps an employer must take to hire you given your visa status. The more informed you can be about the process, the better. Here are some resources that can help when talking with a prospective employer:

• What Employers Should Know About Hiring International Students is a PDF document created by SISS that can be downloaded and shared with potential employers. This document describes the steps necessary for an employer to take when hiring an F-1 student for OPT and CPT.

The Importance of Networking for Career Success

Building a professional network is essential to any successful job search strategy in the U.S. Meeting new people, introducing yourself and communicating your career goals can be intimidating. However, there are resources at UC Davis that can help. You can make professional contacts and network in several ways:

• Join a UC Davis student group through the Center for Student Involvement. Search the AggieLife database to find student organizations that relate to your interests.
• Become a member of a pre-professional or professional organization in your field.
• Attend a networking event, "meet-up", conference or social gathering.
• Meet employers at UC Davis career fairs, employer recruiting events, information sessions or career panel discussions. View the Career Center’s calendar. New events are added daily.
• Develop a professional profile on social media sites such as LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Science Careers, Vitae, or Research Gate, follow employers and join a UC Davis LinkedIn group.
• Conduct informational interviews with professionals. This is an effective way to build relationships with people in your field of interest and gather information from industry experts.
• Volunteer with a local organization either on or off campus. Make sure you understand visa requirements before pursuing any job or volunteer opportunities.
• Become a member of the International House, a local non-profit organization that supports international students and scholars. Interact with the local Davis and Sacramento community at social and cultural events, language classes and an annual festival.

English Language Classes

Effective communication is essential for professional success. Resources for English language learners exist both on and off campus to support international students and postdoctoral scholars who want to improve their English communication skills:

• UC Davis International Academic English Program 
• Off-campus English language classes, from SISS (scroll to the “English Language Learning” section)

Career Services for International Students 

The Career Center is a full career service provider, supporting international undergraduate, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars throughout their academic career and beyond. Our team can help you with all aspects of your job search.

• Career Advising:
  • See a peer advisor to review your resume or cover letter, develop your LinkedIn profile and resolve problems with Handshake.
  • For more in-depth career search help, interview preparation or to discuss negotiation strategy with a job offer, you can make a 30-minute appointment to see a career advisor.
• Online resources available for job search and career exploration for international students:
• Handshake is the UC Davis job search tool for current students and positions indicate whether they accept OPT/CPT and if they require US work authorization. Thousands of positions are posted monthly by employers specifically seeking UC Davis talent.

GoinGlobal lists international jobs and internships, H1B visa petitions and a worldwide employer database.