Are you an international student planning to work legally in the United States after graduation? The good news is that U.S. immigration laws allow international students to obtain employment after graduation. However, they must follow the strict guidelines governing working in the United States. Getting employment in any country if you are not a citizen is tough, and the U.S. is no exception.
The USA continues to require foreign workers because many work opportunities are available, including entry-level roles. International students who are interested and qualified are encouraged to apply to gain experience before transferring to other significant roles. So, let’s look at the top introductory on-campus and off-campus roles you can apply for as soon as you graduate and the requirements needed to kickstart your employment career.
In-Demand Job Opportunities in the USA
1. Library Assistant
- Salary Range: $11.30 – $24.14/hour
Library assistants are usually employed as support staff at local governments, university campuses, or colleges. Their tasks may include helping the librarian manage the library space and students, keeping books organized on the shelves, helping students and other staff members locate what they are looking for, ensuring that books borrowed are returned on time, and making book recommendations.
To qualify for this role, you must possess relevant educational experience, including higher education in the related discipline, excellent organizational skills, oral and customer care skills, the ability to work as part of a team, and the ability to carry heavy volumes or push book trolleys.
According to the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the percentile wage estimates for this clerical job range from approximately $13 to $24, depending on which state you work in. This career makes it an excellent option for international students looking to establish themselves in the U.S. job market.
2. Customer Service Representatives
- Salary Range: $14.21 – $ 29.45/hour
International students can work as customer service representatives at different call centers across the U.S. For this role, you must have excellent knowledge of the company’s products or services, excellent listening, oral, and communication skills, be computer literate, know how to negotiate, have troubleshooting skills, and have an empathetic attitude.
The role includes:
- attending to both inbound and outbound calls
- responding to customers’ queries and addressing any concerns
- informing clients or customers about the company’s new products, policies, or services
- updating customer and client accounts
The average salary for call customer service representatives in the U.S. is around $39,680 to $43,520 annually based on the U.S. labor statistics in 2023. They are excellent for honing interpersonal skills and preparing for other roles that require you to work directly with clients and customers.
3. Campus Ambassador
- Salary Range: $15 – $22/hour
Being a campus ambassador is an excellent on-campus role in the institution you graduated from because it involves promoting your university or college to other students interested in enrolling. Other activities include organizing events, developing strategic collaborations, and devising creative marketing ideas.
If you enjoy meeting new people, possess excellent communication skills, and are good at marketing, consider this role as one of your work options in the United States. It’s a great learning opportunity as it provides a glimpse into working for corporate organizations, helping you gain experience for your resume.
You also interact with other institutions and have special access to events and conferences, giving you more opportunities to network and build your career. The average salary for a campus ambassador in the USA ranges from over $30,000 to $45,000 per year.
See Also: Best Universities in the USA for International Students
4. Software Developer
- Salary Range: $37.03 – $100.30/hour
Entry-level software job opportunities are specifically for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics or STEM students under the STEM OPT extension visa. This role includes working with the senior software developers to build software by writing code and helping fix errors to improve the performance of different software programs in the organization.
Additionally, this work opportunity in the U.S. may include teaming up with various departments and customers on technical issues involving software design and maintenance. However, you must have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field to qualify for this role. You also need to be creative, have a good knowledge of programming languages, and understand the software development life cycle.
The average pay for a software developer in the U.S. ranges from approximately $132,000 to $138,000 annually. You can earn more as you gain more experience and explore other roles in the software development industry.
5. Finance Executive
- Salary Range: $29.25 – $84.54/hour
International students who have graduated with an MBA are eligible to apply to become financial analysts. This career could involve working for a university or an outside organization. As a finance analyst, your roles include advising executives or employees on their expenses, income, and assets. Other activities include monitoring and determining suitable investments based on their monetary records and researching economic, political, and global trends to provide budget and financial recommendations.
An ideal candidate for this role should possess exceptional numerical skills, organizational skills, strong analytical skills, and a background in accounting, finance, or business administration. Candidates with an MBA and those who have undertaken professional courses like CPA are highly preferred. Based on the U.S. Labor Statistics, the average pay for this role ranges from $99,010 to $112,950 annually. This role can prepare you for higher, significant roles like becoming a chief investment officer (CIO), fund manager, or chief financial officer (CFO).
FAQs: Employment Opportunities in the USA
Do International Students Need a Visa to Work in the US?
Yes, international students who want to stay and work after graduation require a visa to work in the United States. When you are still in school, your F-1 visa caters to your stay in the States and expires when you finish your studies. However, you can still use this visa to extend your stay for up to 12 months by enrolling in an Optional Practical Training program, an off-campus employment opportunity for F-1 students.
For those in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) industry, the STEM Optional Practical Training extension allows you to work up to 24 months after graduation. Note that you have to apply early enough for these opportunities, as it could take up to four months to process your application. Many STEM courses are eligible under this extension.
Moreover, international students can also apply for the H-1B Visa (non-immigrant visa), which is granted for three years and can be extended for a further three years. In this case, your sponsoring U.S. employer will initiate the visa process. The visa application usually takes place every April, and your employer has only one chance to apply yearly. There is also an option of the EB-5 visa, which allows immigrants to become permanent residents.
While studying in another country is challenging, working in a foreign country can also raise some challenges, especially as an international student. That’s why you should make an appointment with one of the university’s career advisors to explore various work opportunities in the United States before graduation.
We hope this article on work opportunities in the United States for international students is informative and helpful. Feel free to visit our Study in the USA and the Open Courses in the USA for more information about the different universities and scholarship opportunities in the country!
