This is the time of the year again, where soon-to-be graduate students are looking for their new jobs. America’s job market is not at its best, although many people predict short labor which would increase demand in many occupations nationwide. In any case, for some of us, students from different countries, the struggle is even tougher. The US government policy, as stated by the United State Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), grant the availability of Optional Practical Training (OPT) for every foreign student. But US employers can hardly comply with its restrictions.
In 2007, universities in the US welcomed 600,000 foreign students according to US Department of State www.america.gov . This number reflects an increase of 10% from last year, and is clearly the result of government efforts to motivate participation in the Foreign Exchange Program, which are open to many all around the world. In addition, many companies are happy to “celebrate diversity” and put on their flag hiring minorities and people from different backgrounds. Well, unfortunately, in many cases there is a gap between big lofty statements and reality. Often, at one part of the interview (if you are international student) the interviewer will ask you; Let’s us say we hire and you work for us for one year, then, How do we go from here?
The OPT program is a governmental program that allows up to one-year legal work authorization for foreign students upon completing at least one year of study in an American accredited institute. That includes college, university and graduate programs as long as the student didn’t violate his/her F-1 visa status. In accordance with this status, the F-1 student is also eligible for Social Security and a driving license. Nevertheless, the OPT card would be issued without having to secure a job. In other words, one could work anywhere, within the limit of one year period. The questions are; How to tell your employer that you have only one year? And how one should address the issue of Visa sponsorship, i.e. H-1, for future work authorization of 3 years?
Career advisers suggest not addressing the immigration status issue in the first contact with a company, although they usually mean for the future sponsorship possibilities. International students looking for a job will have to tell future employers that they are “in process” of receiving their OPT work card. When the card arrives, then, and only then, one could start their new job.
Therefore, for some of us, America is a strange country. Its population of foreign students dramatically increases every year; yet, graduate students have a hard time finding a job. Why is it that so many students will do everything to stay here, work and live the American dream? Are there enough business opportunities in America to support government policies?
5 Comments
This sounds like the government trying to make everyone happy; predictably they accomplish nothing. On one hand we look sensitive to the foreign community by providing opportunity here for aspiring foreigners. On the other hand, only granting them a year of service keeps employers from hiring foreigners. This seemingly protects jobs for US citizens.
I for one have no problem with talented people that want to live in this country the right way, having good jobs.
The fact that you are willing to go to these lengths to succeed in a foreign country tells me that you deserve and will eventualy get your slice of the pie – even more so than a good percentage of natural born Americans who are not willing to put the effort in and look to the governemtn to solve their problems. I would like to think that this country allows for anyone willing to work hard enough to succeed.
If the free economy could operate in the environment it is intended to work, there wouldn’t be enough qualified people to fill the job vacancies. Unfortunately, our governement insists on interfering with the laws of enonimics by overtaxing businesses, disparaging any success experienced by the public endeavors, and by doing its best to see that more Americans can succeed by relying on government. All our governement has to do is enforce the rules…something it seems reticent to do.
Blogmeister: Please remove the extra “e’s.”
The prodigal son returns! This day has been long awaited.