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International

The Career Center offers free services for all of our international students. If you are not in the Fort Wayne area, we can work with you via the following:

  • Video Conference appointments
  • Phone appointments
  • Email

The Career Center can assist you with resume or cover letter critiques, practice interviews, questions regarding career changing, relocation, salary expectations for majors of study, and much more.

If you have questions or would like to set up an appointment, please email careercenter@indianatech.edu or schedule an appointment using the Handshake app.

International student employment

Working on-campus

Student Visa restrictions

  • You are only allowed to work on campus in a budget position. This means when you read the job description, it should not say “work-study.”
    • Work study is federally funded employment; this means you have to be a U.S. citizen to qualify.
  • You can only work 20 hours per week.
    • During official holiday or university breaks (winter, summer) you are allowed to work at a full-time status, which means 37.5 hours per week.

Steps to obtain on-campus employment

  1. Search for an on-campus job on Handshake and apply.
  2. Once you have had an offer for a job on campus, you will need to obtain a Social Security Number:
    • You will need a letter from your employer or future supervisor in order to apply for a Social Security card (contact human resources in for more information). The letter must contain information that: 1) identifies you; 2) confirms your current school status; and 3) identifies your employer and the type of work you are, or will be, doing.
    • Complete an Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5).
    • Show original documents proving your immigration status (I-94 and I-20), work eligibility, and age and identity (passport and visa).
    • Take your completed application and original documents to your local Social Security office located at 2122 Lincolnway Court, Fort Wayne, IN 46819. You can call them at 877.223.6061. Their hours of operation are 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
    • Your card can take up to two weeks to be received by mail.

Additional information can be found on the ICE website.

Working off-campus

Student Visa restrictions

  • You have the option of working in an internship that will provide valuable work experience that will add to the skills you are learning in school. This option is called Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
    • CPT must relate to your major and the experience must be an integral part of your program of study.
    • CPT requires a job offer.
    • CPT requires enrollment in an internship class in which on-the-job training is required and for which course credit is received.
    • You must be enrolled in the class at the beginning of you CPT authorization.
    • You can work part time (20 hours) or full time (40 hours- summer only) during this training.

Additional information can be found on Student Process page located on the ICE website.

Working in the United States after graduation

  • You are eligible to apply for Post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).
  • This must relate to your major or course of study.
  • You can apply for 12 months of OPT at each education level, (i.e., you may have 12 months of OPT at the bachelor’s level and another 12 months of OPT at the master’s level). Students graduating from a STEM designated program are eligible for an additional 24 month extension.
  • Your designated school official will provide you with a new Form I-20 that shows the DSO recommendation for this employment.
  • It is advised to apply 90 days before your program completion date.

What you need:

You must contact the Career Center to schedule an appointment to file your application.

  1. Create your online USCIS account: https://myaccount.uscis.gov/
  2. Gather the following documents:
    1. Digital 2×2 color passport photo that meets USCIS specifications
    2. Scan of your passport ID page
    3. Scan of front and back of any previous EAD card (if applicable)
    4. Scan of any previous I-20 with CPT or OPT authorizations (if applicable)
    5. Digital copy of your I-20 with OPT recommendation
        1. **Must be issued within the last 30 days for post completion OPT and within the last 60 days for STEM extension OPT. You must contact Lauren Johns to receive the new I-20 before filing your online application.
    6. Scan your diploma showing proof of the STEM eligible degree (STEM EXTENSION APPLICANTS ONLY)
    7. Copy of your most recent I-94: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home
    8. Credit card to pay the $410.oo filing fee.

STEM EXTENSION APPLICANTS ONLY: The form I-983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students must be completed and submitted to Lauren Johns before the I-20 with STEM OPT recommendation can be issued to you.

For more information and instructions on how to apply, please visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.

Note: You cannot start work until after you receive your EAD (Employment Authorization Document).

Additional information can be found on Practical Training page located on the ICE website.

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