Frequently Asked Questions
Wouldn’t companies prefer to choose a domestic employee over an international employee since they would have to sponsor me?
No.
Your experience as an international student brings many positives to your employment eligibility such as problem solving, language skills, collaboration across cultures, and more! Many companies realize this and don’t mind working through the visa sponsorships because they value what international students bring to their organizations.
Also, students have sponsorship through NC State for OPT (1 year for all students, and there is a 2-year extension for STEM majors). It is possible that you may not need sponsorship for 1-3 years after graduating. And when you do, you will have had a chance to prove yourself as a valuable employee and by then the companies could be happy to sponsor you.
Many companies are used to working with international students now. For all the companies that have that experience, it is not an issue at all. For the ones that don’t, they may not be open to hiring international employees at all and it may be best to move on to other companies that are (unless you have some personal connection with the company).
How do I answer the application question: “Are you currently eligible to work in the United States of America?”
The answer to this question is “Yes.” As F-1 and J-1 students, you are all eligible to apply for employment authorization!
F-1: CPT and OPT
J-1: Academic training
Even if you don’t have OIS approval yet, it is a benefit of your visa to do these trainings (CPT/OPT/Academic training), so you can answer “Yes” when asked if you are authorized to work.
HOWEVER: You must get the job, then apply and be approved for CPT, OPT, or Academic training before you start working.
How do I answer the application question: “Do you now or in the future require visa sponsorship to continue working in the United States?”
The answer to this question should always be “Yes.” This answer allows the company to then ask you about your visa status. If you answer ‘No,’ it can be very confusing for the company.
How do I find research opportunities?
Visit the Getting Started page on the Office for Undergraduate Research (OUR) website to learn about opportunities, see examples of research projects, get involved, and ask questions of OUR staff.
Identify faculty members whose research aligns with your interests. You can reach out to them directly via email to inquire about available opportunities in their labs or projects.
Check the websites of specific departments or labs related to your field of interest. Departments and labs often list research opportunities, faculty research interests, and open positions.
How do I find a job on campus?
here are a number of campus employers who hire students. On-campus employment is a great way to earn extra cash and to work in an environment that understands you are a student first, and an employee second. Review the Office of International Services On-Campus Employment page for instructions and requirements regarding on-campus employment. You can search the following resources and departments to find positions that match your interests and availability.
https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/search : filter by position type “temporary”
https://ncsu-csm.symplicity.com/students/index.php : search jobs in ePACK by position type of “internship”, ” temporary”, “student employment”, and “part-time”