Part Time Jobs in USA for International Students
Among the many benefits of studying abroad is the ability to take up part-time jobs in USA. For years, international students have opted for part-time jobs and post-graduate work opportunities to offset the cost of studying and the cost of living in the USA. However, more importantly, part-time jobs play a more crucial role, i.e. valuable work experience that can help students gain an edge when finding jobs after graduation through OPT.
Under F-1 visa regulations, students can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic session. With the federal minimum wage set at $7.25 per hour, and many major states offering between $14 and $25 per hour for student roles, these jobs provide essential financial support.
If you are planning to study in the USA, then you should learn more about Optional Practical Training (OPT), which is the most common and popular option chosen by international students wishing to work while studying in the country. However, there are certain offerings and limitations to this work-while-studying pathway, including a 2-year extension for certain individuals.
Let us learn a little more about part-time jobs in USA as you complete your higher studies at some of the best universities in the country and the world.
Benefits of Part-Time Jobs in USA for International Students
The opportunity to take part-time jobs in USA offers numerous benefits for international students. The US acknowledges the immense financial commitment that international students take up and thus offers different part-time work opportunities that can assist students in reducing their financial requirements. Here are some benefits of part-time jobs in USA for international students.
- Additional Financial Support: While the earnings from such jobs may not be substantial, an income source will definitely help you live comfortably without stressing, as it provides support to cover the different costs of studying and costs of living in USA.
- Gaining Real-World Experience: As you immerse yourself in the professional workspace in the USA, you will gain real-world experience of working in the USA and also help you understand the ins and outs of the sector you wish to build a career in.
- Networking Opportunities: Part-time jobs in USA are some of the best ways to build your network for your career prospects. These networks and contacts can significantly simplify the job-search process after graduation.
- Developing Soft Skills: Working in a professional environment will force students to build their soft skills, i.e. communication skills, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and leadership skills, among others.
Part-time Jobs in USA for International Students: Rules and Regulations
If you need to take up part-time jobs in USA as an international student, then you should ensure you not only qualify for the opportunity but also adhere to the strict regulations stipulated by the US federal government. Here’s what you should know about part-time work in the USA.
- When can you start: In the first year of their studies, international students on an F1 visa can only take up on-campus part-time jobs, provided certain conditions are met. Off-campus jobs can only be taken up after completing one year of academic study in the degree programme you have enrolled in.
- Working Hours: International students on an F1 visa can only work up to 20 hours per week in part-time job roles.
- Motivation: Inevitably, the primary purpose of travel to the USA, on an F1 visa, should be to earn a US degree and not to take up employment. The employment opportunities offered by the US are additional opportunities and can be used to reduce the financial commitments of the students.
- Work Authorisation: All off-campus part-time jobs in USA must be authorised by the Designated School Official (DSO) and the US Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS). Students undertaking part-time work without proper authorisation can have their F1 visa cancelled.
- Social Security Number: International students undertaking part-time jobs in the USA are also required to get a Social Security Number (SSN), which can only be applied for after receiving a valid job offer and a letter from the DSO.
Types of Off-Campus Part-Time Work in USA
As international students, there are different types of part-time jobs in USA that students can opt for, while they complete their studies and also after completing their studies. Let us check out these types of work opportunities for international students in the USA.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
As the name suggests, this type of work opportunity is directly related to the curriculum followed by the university for a specific programme. In other words, undertaking part-time work as a student is a mandatory part of the curriculum, leading to the completion of the programme. Here’s a brief overview of CPT in the USA:
- Part-time work is directly related to the major field of study of the candidate and is essential to the completion of the programme.
- The DSO provides the authorisation of the CPT by submitting the necessary information in the SEVIS and endorsing the Form I-20.
- Authorisation is offered for only one employer at a time.
- Students are required to acquire the training opportunity before the authorisation of the CPT. Additionally, the CPT should be authorised before the commencement of the training.
- Students are permitted to have more than one CPT authorisation at a time.
- Students must have completed one full year of academic studies before applying for the CPT. Those enrolled in certain graduate programmes where CPT is required within the first year of academic studies are exempt from this requirement.
- Those who choose one year of full-time work through CPT will lose the opportunity to apply for OPT after graduation.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
This is a temporary employment opportunity that is offered to F1 visa holders, allowing them to work in their major field of study. Unlike CPT, working while studying is not a curriculum requirement and therefore is classed as an optional opportunity. Those qualifying for this opportunity will receive 12 months of OPT employment authorisation before and/or after the completion of their programme. Here’s what you should know about the part-time jobs in USA under OPT employment authorisation:
- Pre-completion OPT: Students can apply for pre-completion OPT if they wish to take up part-time work in USA before graduating from their academic programme.
- For this, students must have completed one full year of academic training at a university listed under the SEVP list by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- Students can only work up to 20 hours or less per week while classes are in session. Meanwhile, they can work full-time during official vacation periods.
- Post-completion OPT: The commonly chosen OPT pathway, post-completion OPT, allows students to stay back for a period of 12 months after graduation to work in a role related to their major field of study.
- Those opting for this type of OPT are required to take a minimum of 20 hours of part-time jobs in USA or full-time roles.
- STEM OPT Extension: those graduating from a STEM degree programme are eligible for a 24-month extension, totalling up to 3 years of stay in the USA for the purposes of gaining valuable work experience.
Impact of Pre-completion OPT on Post-completion OPT
As per the regulations stipulated by the US federal government, there are certain effects of choosing pre-completion OPT on the post-completion OPT pathway provided to international students, which have been defined as follows:
- Those who received 1 year of part-time pre-completion OPT, i.e. maximum of 20 hours of part-time work in USA, will see a reduction in the total duration of post-completion OPT from 12 months to 6 months. (i.e. 50% of the previously authorised OPT duration available to international students). In such cases, students will only be eligible for 6 months of remaining post-completion OPT after graduation.
- Those who have received 1 year of full-time pre-completion OPT, i.e. maximum of 40 hours of full-time work in USA, will see a complete reduction in the total duration of post-completion OPT, i.e. 1 year of post-completion standard OPT duration.
Top Part-Time Jobs in USA for International Students
As highlighted above, part-time jobs in USA offer numerous benefits to international students, and the benefits can vary even more with the type of job roles you can apply for. There are numerous part-time job opportunities available to international students both on and off-campus, some of which have been mentioned below.
- On-Campus Jobs
- Teaching Assistant
- Research Assistant
- Library/Dining Hall Staff
- Off-Campus Jobs
- Retail/Customer Service
- Tutoring
- Freelance Work
- Internships
- Online Jobs
- Virtual Assistant
- Content Creator
- Web Designer
Let us learn more about these different part-time jobs in USA for international students with the help of the table below.
On-Campus Jobs in the USA
These are job roles that are specifically found and conducted within the campus premises or at a different location with ties to the university.
| Job Roles | Description | Average Salary (in USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Campus Ambassador | Engaging with prospective students and organising campus tours and orientation events | US $14 - $17 |
| Barista | Working in an on-campus cafe, making drinks, operating the cash register, maintaining the cleanliness and more. | US $13.5 - $17.5 |
| Teaching Assistant | Assisting professors and teachers in classroom activities and providing support to students. | US $15.5 - $18.5 |
| Library Assistant | Shelving books, assisting customers, and providing administrative support. | US $13 - $17 |
| Receptionist | General office support, student/parent support service, administrative services and communication with students and staff. | US $15 - $20 |
| Research Study Assistant | Assisting professors and scholars in different research activities like data collection, literary reviews, lab equipment maintenance and more. | US $13.5 - $17 |
| Department Assistant | Provide clerical, administrative, and organisational support to specific departments within the university. | US $17.5 - $23.5 |
| Food Runner/Catering Assistant | Assist in on-campus restaurants with food service tasks. | US $12.5 - $17 |
| Sales Assistant | Assist in sales-related tasks and customer interactions within on-campus shops and stores. | US $14 - $17.5 |
| Tutor or Peer Mentor | Provide tutoring or mentoring services to students. | US $14 - $17 |
Off-Campus Jobs in the USA
These are jobs found commonly outside the university campus, usually within the same city or district where the university campus is located. It should be noted that off-campus job roles can only be applied for after the student has completed their first year of academic studies at their respective universities to qualify.
| Job Roles | Description | Average Salary (in USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Office Administration | Managing office papers, connecting with customers, and organising meetings | US $17 - $21 |
| Babysitter | Taking care of children in the absence of their parents or guardians | US $15 - $25 |
| Store Associate | Assisting customers with their purchases, restocking shelves, and handling transactions | US $14.5 - $17.5 |
| Cashier | Processing payments for different products and services through different payment methods. | US $12.5 - $16.5 |
| Server | Taking orders, serving food and drinks, and providing excellent customer service in restaurants | US $11.5 - $16. + tips |
Note: Before applying to any off-campus jobs, it is advisable to consult with your DSO or international student support centre at the university to understand which roles do not violate your terms as an F1 visa holder.
Online Part-Time Jobs in USA
Online job roles are among the popular roles chosen by international students to make a quick buck and reduce their financial commitments. Some of the online job roles include:
| Job Roles | Description | Average Salary (in USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Online Tutor/Mentor | Offering academic mentorship or tutoring to students in specific subjects like Maths, English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and more. | US $19 - $26 |
| Content Writer/Creator | Writing content for blog posts, articles, or marketing copies for different companies is a great source of income for many. | US $20 - $26 |
| Online Data Entry | Compiling and editing data into spreadsheets and other databases is also a common job role. | US $16 - $21 |
Note: Online job roles can be both on and off-campus; therefore, it is advisable to first check with the university for such online jobs. Additionally, consult with your DSO or the international student support centre to learn more about the part-time jobs in USA.
How to Find Part-Time Jobs in the USA?
As an international student looking for part-time work in USA, there are several ways that you can find appropriate job roles that can help you gain valuable experience and make a living as well. Here are some ways to find part-time jobs in USA.
- Understand the limitations and regulations outlining part-time work as an international student on F1 visa: As highlighted above, students can only work 20 hours per week on part-time job roles while completing their studies and can only opt for such roles after completing one year of academic study.
- Research Different Portals for Jobs: From online portals to job vacancies listed on University Bulletins, students find relevant part-time job roles on and off campus on these portals.
- Online Portals: Indeed, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, Handshake, and United OPT are some of the popular online portals international students can search for job roles.
- Offline Portals: University Bulletin, networking through staff, professors and friends, newspapers and magazines and other platforms too.
- Find Local Businesses with “Help Wanted” Sign: Many local businesses will post “help wanted” signs for small roles such as cashier, retail assistant, dishwasher, waiter, etc.
Part-time jobs in USA are one of the best ways international students can offset some of their financial commitments and reduce the financial requirements from the sponsor of their studies. In addition to this, students gain valuable work experience and an understanding of the US market, allowing them to be better prepared for job opportunities after graduation. To learn more about part-time jobs in USA for international students, connect with AECC counsellors today and get expert guidance.