International Students.
Welcome to our page designed to assist you in more easily navigating your career search as an international student.
Working in the United State as an International Student
As an international student, you must follow the rules and procedures for employment established by Boston University, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and their sponsoring agencies. If you have any questions regarding your Visa status or working on-campus, contact the International Students and Scholars Office at isso@bu.edu or 617-353-3565.
Helpful Resources for International Students Who Want to Work in the US
Frequently Asked Questions by International Students Searching for Jobs in the United States
What sectors/employers hire international students on OPT, and are likely to sponsor their H1B visas? Does the Career & Practicum Office have a list of employers who have sponsored in the past?
Generally speaking, our international student graduates have been sponsored by academic medical centers and hospitals, consulting firms, and other private sector organizations. Oftentimes, non-profits do not sponsor international students unless they are “research-based”.
Getting sponsored in the US is all about “Supply and Demand”. The most common hard-to-fill jobs are in Biostatistics, Statistical Programming, Health Economics Outcomes Research (HEOR), and Health IT.
In terms of a list of employers who have sponsored in the past, unfortunately, each year it varies. An employer could sponsor in one year, but not sponsor in the next. Instead, we recommend targeting these sectors/employers as a strategy, as these settings are where our graduates have been sponsored in the past.
Job applications ask if I am eligible to work in the US. Since I'll be on my OPT, does that mean I am eligible and should answer yes?
No. With OPT, unfortunately, you are not considered eligible because it is not for the long term. The employer has to sign your OPT application which is required by the US government (via ISSO). While you are eligible to work in the US because of your OPT status, you must click “yes” you do or will need sponsorship in the future.
What skills should I gain through my courses and practicum to make me competitive to employers?
Gain as many technical skills as possible including data visualization in order to communicate results in an easy-to-understand format. Examples include Advanced SAS, Advanced Excel, and Access. Exposure to working on Electronic Health Record Databases and claims data is also very helpful. Build your résumé with projects that highlight these skills. Additionally, strong communications, interpersonal and teamwork skills are critical for employers. If you are targeting the private sector and consulting firms, business acumen is also essential.
I have specific questions about the practicum which I know is considered Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Can I conduct more than one practicum or complete a practicum longer than the required hours? Who should I speak with?
International students may only complete one (1) practicum within the required hours of the MPH program, which is 240 hours. However, if the practicum is offered over a longer period of hours, then your CPT will cover those hours as long as the practicum is approved.
International students must go through the Practicum Portal Proposal approval process — and must have their CPT form authorized by ISSO.
You CANNOT begin their practicum, including any kind of orientation at the practicum site, without ISSO authorization.
- CPT cannot be processed for authorization until a student is registered for PH976, which is only done after the Practicum Portal Proposal is approved. Note, this process may take up to 3 weeks
- The CPT form is located on the ISSO website, available here
- Your CPT form must be signed by the Assistant Director of Practicums
- CPT authorization generally takes 10 business days for the ISSO to process
In some instances your supervisor may offer to allow you to continue working because you are doing a good job, however this is not allowed. Since CPT is for curricular/academic training, your practicum can only be extended if there is a valid academic reason. Please reach out to sphpract@bu.edu with questions on this matter.
Failure to gain CPT authorization before beginning your practicum could result in a violation of your immigration status. In this case, you will be asked to leave the US to re-apply for your Visa and will lose Optional Practical Training (OPT) privileges.
I know that the STEM OPT extension allows some graduates to stay on their Optional Practical Training (OPT) for 36 months vs. 12 months. What BUSPH Programs fall under STEM?
What start date should I put down for my OPT application, and when should I start applying to jobs?
International students should speak with ISSO to determine a potential start date to begin a position using OPT. Depending on what is happening in the US Government with regard to processing applications as well as what is happening in the job market, advice can vary.
Be sure to review this video as your begin your process of applying to POST-OPT: Video #2: Picking Your OPT Start Date for Post-Completion OPT
In terms of applying for jobs, it varies by sector, but it’s never too early to begin networking. It can often result in job leads and can help you determine your job search strategy in terms of when to begin applying. Different sectors have different hiring cycles. For example, consulting recruitment is often in the fall and academia often has longer hiring cycles so do your research and adjust your timeline accordingly.
I constantly hear that networking is really important, especially for international students and graduates. How should I go about doing this?
In addition to networking with BUSPH community members (alums, fellow students, faculty) and attending professional events, network with people from your home country who have successfully been sponsored. Approach people at non-work settings, such as temples and community gatherings, to enlist their advice. They may be able to refer you to jobs at their companies, provide people for you to contact, and/or advice for breaking into their area of work.
For more information on networking, check out our Networking & LinkedIn section of the CPO website.
Dropdown header Are there other strategies you can recommend if I want to stay & work in the US?
Yes, we recommend a few different strategies:
- Target organizations in states where there are less highly qualified candidates. For example, look at states where there are less universities producing MPH candidates. Additionally, look beyond major cities and instead target secondary cities as well as rural areas.
- Focus on hard-to-fill jobs such as those that are analytics oriented. It’s all about supply and demand.
- Target large international companies and consulting firms. They often are more used to sponsoring international graduates. Or, they may have opportunities initially for you to work in your home country but then allow you to travel back here in the future to work in one of their US offices.
- Have a plan B to explore the Canadian job market and apply for Canada’s Express Entry Permanent Residence/Skilled Worker Immigration Program.
- Have a plan C to return home. Use Handshake to find employers with offices in your home country, check out our Career Resource Library for tips, leverage BU’s extensive global alumni network, and sign up for alerts from Indeed Worldwide
I received a job offer & will be on OPT for 36 months. Can I ask the employer to sponsor my H1B visa?
When you receive an offer, as part of your negotiation, you can ask if the employer would be willing to sponsor your H1B visa assuming the organization still has a business need, and your work is satisfactory. If you receive an offer and the employer has already told you they can NOT sponsor the H1B visa, sometimes you can revisit this after you’re settled in the organization and have showcased your value. An employer may be more apt to sponsor you after they have gotten to know you and have seen your work.
I have been contacted by a recruiter (headhunter) & they said they could help me find a job. I would have to pay them a fee for their services. Is this common? Should I pay the fee?
We recommend that you do not work with these recruiters or pay a fee. Reputable recruiting and staffing firms are only paid by the employer for their services. They are not paid by the job candidates. This could be a scam.