Trabajo y Carrera - Estudiar en Estados Unidos (es)

Working and Building a Career en Estados Unidos

The Estados Unidos offers estudiantes internacionales a structured pathway to experiencia laboral during and after their studies. From on-trabajos en el campus starting in your first semester to post-graduation work authorization lasting hasta three years, the US provides more career-building opportunities than most study destinations.

Esta guia cubre every F-1 work authorization option and how to position yourself for long-term career success. For an overview of why the US is a strong choice, see our why study en Estados Unidos guide.

F-1 Employment Options Overview

On-Campus Employment

On-campus employment is the most accessible work option because it esta disponible from your first day of enrollment and requires only DSO authorization (no USCIS application).

Rules:

• Trabaja hasta 20 hours por semana during the curso academico
• Trabaja hasta 40 hours por semana during official breaks (winter, summer)
• Must be performed on campus or at an educationally affiliated location

Common on-trabajos en el campus and pay

Working 15-20 horas/semana at USD 12-15/hour provides aproximadamente USD 7,000-12,000 al ano, which can meaningfully offset gastos de vida.

Consejo: Research assistant positions are the most valuable on-trabajos en el campus because they build skills and connections directly relevant to your field. Ask your professors about available positions, especialmente if you are interested in graduate school or research careers.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

CPT allows F-1 students to work off-campus in internships or co-ops that are directly related to their major and part of their academic curriculum.

Key requirements:

• Must have completed one full curso academico (exception: graduate programs requiring immediate CPT)
• Work must relate to your field of study and carry academic credit
• Authorization from your DSO before starting work

Part-time vs. a tiempo completo CPT: Part-time CPT (hasta 20 horas/semana) does not affect OPT eligibility. Importante: Using 12 or more months of a tiempo completo CPT makes you ineligible for OPT.

How to get CPT authorization:

1. Receive a oferta de trabajo with employer name, dates, hours, and duties
2. Register for the corresponding academic course if required
3. Submit the authorization request to your DSO
4. Receive an updated I-20 with CPT noted
5. Begin working only after the CPT start date on your I-20

Consejo: Start applying for summer internships in September-November. Top companies like Google, Amazon, and Goldman Sachs actively recruit estudiantes internacionales.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

OPT provides 12 months of post-graduation work authorization in positions directly related to your major. It is the primary post-graduation work pathway for estudiantes internacionales.

Key details:

• Application window: Up to 90 days before graduation and hasta 60 days after
• Authorization: Granted by USCIS via Employment Authorization Document (EAD card)
• Processing time: 3-5 months; filing fee: USD 410

Application process:

1. Request OPT recommendation from your DSO (who updates your I-20)
2. File Form I-765 with USCIS with supporting documents
3. Wait for EAD card -- you cannot work until it arrives and your start date has passed

Critical rules:

• 90-day unemployment limit during the 12-month OPT period
• Employment must relate to your major (interpreted broadly)
• Report employment changes to your DSO within 10 days
• Volunteer/unpaid work (20+ horas/semana in your field) counts as employment

Consejo: Apply as early as possible (hasta 90 days before your program end date) to avoid gaps caused by processing delays.

STEM OPT Extension

The STEM OPT extension provides an additional 24 months of work authorization for graduates with a STEM-designated degree, totaling hasta 36 months (3 years) of post-graduation work.

Eligibility requirements:

• Degree in a STEM field on the DHS Designated Degree Program list
• Currently on approved post-completion OPT
• Employer enrolled in E-Verify
• Formal Training Plan (Form I-983) with your employer

Application: File Form I-765 with USCIS hasta 90 days before current OPT expires (USD 410 fee). While pending, you receive an automatic 180-day work authorization extension.

Reporting obligations: Self-evaluation reports at 12 and 24 months, employer validation every 6 months, and a 150-day cumulative unemployment limit.

The H-1B Visa: Beyond OPT

The H-1B is the most common work visa for professionals in specialty occupations. Key facts:

• Requires patrocinio del empleador
• Annual cap of 85,000 visas (65,000 regular + 20,000 for US master's holders)
• Selection by lottery (registration in March, start date October 1)
• Initial validity: 3 years, renewable to 6 years total

Alternatives to H-1B: O-1 visa (extraordinary ability), L-1 visa (intracompany transfer), cap-exempt H-1B (universities, nonprofits, government), and direct EB-1/EB-2 green card sponsorship.

For more on STEM designation, see our programs and universities guide.

Construir tu Carrera

Servicios de orientacion profesional and networking

universidades estadounidenses invest heavily in servicio de orientacion profesionals. Take advantage of career center appointments (resume reviews, interview coaching), ferias de empleo (2-3 al ano como maximo universities), on-campus recruiting, and your alumni network.

Networking accounts for an estimated 60-80% of hires en Estados Unidos. Key strategies:

• LinkedIn: Essential -- over 90% of US recruiters use it. Create a complete profile and connect with alumni, classmates, and professionals in your field. Post and engage with relevant content.
• Informational interviews: Request 20-30 minute conversations with professionals to learn about their career path and industry. This is a widely accepted practice en Estados Unidos.
• Career fairs: Prepare an elevator pitch (30-60 second summary of who you are and what you are looking for) and bring printed resumes.
• Professional associations: Join student chapters (e.g., IEEE for engineering, ACM for computer science, AMA for marketing) for networking and development.

Consejo: Many US employers are willing to sponsor work visas but may not advertise this. When networking, focus on demonstrating your skills and value rather than leading with visa questions.

Resume and interview preparation

US resumes differ from CVs used in many countries:

• One page for students and early-career professionals
• No photo, age, gender, or marital status (US anti-discrimination laws)
• Action verbs: Start each bullet with a strong verb (e.g., "Developed," "Led," "Analyzed")
• Quantify achievements: Use numbers wherever possible
• Tailored to each position: Customize for every application

For interviews, practice behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), research each company thoroughly, prepare questions for the interviewer, and follow up with a thank-you email within 24 hours.

High-Demand Fields

Top H-1B sponsors include Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Deloitte, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Mayo Clinic.

Career Timeline

• Year 1: Set up LinkedIn, explore on-trabajos en el campus and research assistantships, attend ferias de empleo, join professional organizations.
• Year 2: Apply for summer internships via CPT (start in September-November), attend networking events, build technical skills.
• Year 3: Secure a second internship, identify target employers, begin a tiempo completo applications in August-September.
• Final year: Apply for OPT early, leverage internship connections for return offers, negotiate offers considering visa sponsorship.

Proximos Pasos

1. Understand your work authorization options and timelines based on your degree.
2. Visit your career center in your first semester.
3. Set up your LinkedIn profile and begin networking immediately.
4. Look for on-campus employment to start earning and building US experiencia laboral.
5. Plan your internship strategy for CPT during summers after your first year.
6. Research STEM OPT eligibility for your specific program using our programs and universities guide.

The US offers estudiantes internacionales a clear pathway from education to employment. By understanding the rules, starting early, and building your network from day one, puedes maximize your chances of launching a successful career.