2. ISS: Employment Authorization Overview
Presented By: Laura Crabtree

3. F-1 Students Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Authorization during program
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Pre-completion: Authorization during program
Post-Completion: Authorization after program

4. J-1 Students Academic Training (AT)
Authorization during and/or after program

5. Curricular Practical Training
Must be an integral part of an established curriculum
Directly related to major field of study
CPT Course: Must register and complete course in same semester as internship.
Part-Time or Full-Time
12 Months
Does not include self-employment or owning your own business
All internships, paid or unpaid, must be authorized in writing by ISS prior to engaging in any employment or orientation programs with the employer.

6. CPT Eligibility
Must be lawfully enrolled full-time one full academic year immediately prior to the CPT authorization
Valid F-1 status
Employment must be integral to the major field of study
Must have job offer
Employment must be required or highly recommended for your degree
CPT must take place before the program end date on the I-20
CPT is not authorized in a final semester

7. How to Apply for CPT http://www.iss.purdue.edu
Complete the online workshop
Schedule ISS Follow-up session
Meet with Academic Advisor
Attend Follow-up session at ISS with required documents

8. CPT Authorization
CPT request is reviewed and authorized by ISS, if appropriate
Authorization appears on I-20
I-20 processing takes approximately 5 business days
Employment may not start until student has applied for CPT and has authorization on I-20 (student should not be at the employer site)

9. Final Semester CPT is not authorized
May be registered for less than 12 credit hours
Students must be registered for a course that meets on campus.

10. Optional Practical Training
Pre-Completion
Limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session
Subtracts from Post-Completion OPT
Post-Completion
Initial Period of 12 Months
Employment must be in major field of study
Do not need a job offer to apply, can change employer
90 days of unemployment
Self-Employment and contract work is ok
24-month STEM Extension

11. OPT Eligibility
Must be lawfully enrolled full-time one full academic year immediately prior to the OPT authorization
Valid F-1 status
Have less than 365 days of full-time CPT
Have not previously been authorized for OPT on the same degree level

12. How to Apply for OPT http://www.iss.purdue.edu
Apply no more than 90 days before completing program
Complete the online workshop
Schedule ISS Follow-up session
Attend Follow-up session at ISS with required documents
Receive I-20 with OPT Recommendation. I-20 processing takes approximately 5 business days.

13. OPT Authorization
OPT is recommended by ISS. Recommendation appears on I-20
USCIS (United States Citizenship & Immigration Services) approves OPT
Mail application to USCIS. USCIS must receive application before end of 60 day grace period.
Authorization on EAD (Employment Authorization Document)
USCIS can take up to 90 days to approve OPT
Employment may not start until student has received EAD and it is on or after the start date on the EAD.

16. Academic Training Must be in major field of study
For employment during or after program
Up to 18 months
AT request is reviewed and authorized by ISS, if appropriate
Authorization appears on DS-2019
DS-2019 processing takes approximately 5 business days

17. How to Apply for AT Go to: http://www.iss.purdue.edu
Call ISS to schedule appointment
Bring all required documents to appointment

20. How To Contact ISS Location: Schleman Hall, Room 136
Business Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00am-5:00pm
Walk-In Hours:
Monday-Friday 9:00am-noon and 1:30pm-4:00pm (except Thursday mornings)
Phone Counselor Hours:
Monday-Friday 8:00am-noon and 1:00pm-5:00pm (except Thursday mornings)
Website:

21. Questions?

22. Recruiter Perspective
Presented by Yunzhe Mao, Test Engineer at Cummins Co-leader of Cummins Purdue Industrial Roundtable career fair

23. Navigating IR and 30 second commercial
Presented by
Darshini Render, Assistant Director of Student Success |
Myank Makkar
Senior, Industrial Engineering

24. Preparing for the Career Fair (Step 1)
Obtain a list of companies attending the fair.
Research What is their mission statement?
What do they specialize in?
Do you have similar interests? Info Sessions
Review commonly-asked interview questions.
Participate in mock interviews.
Remember, first appearances are important so plan exactly what professional attire you will wear.
Review the names of company representatives with whom you have had previous contact

25. Preparing for the Career Fair (Step 2)
Gather the essential items to take to the fair, including:
A letter-sized portfolio with a notepad and pen
Ample copies of you resume
Any research notes you have on the participating companies
Professional attire and Grooming care items

26. At the fair Check in at the registration/information table.
Orient yourself to the facility by locating the interviewing areas, rest rooms, and refreshment areas.
Sit in a quiet area to review the listing of participating organizations and organize a list of companies you plan to visit.
Observe how people approach a company table and watch the flow of traffic in the room.
Exchange your resume for a business card

27. What do I say? You should NOT ask “Do you hire F1/ J1 students?”
Instead, think about saying
“I did some research on your company and I found that Broadcom is involved in Optical Senses research, last semester I took a class and I was involved in some research and over the years I have developed a keen interest in Optical senses technology, and I wonder if you could tell me any opportunities available related in that……”

28. Persistence and Patience Write thank you email
After the Career Fair
Follow Up:
Persistence and Patience
Write thank you
Keep in touch with companies (i.e. LinkedIn)

29. Brand Statement
30-60 second narrative focused on professional skill sets and personal strengths
Easy first step - a good jumping off point! Start here then expand/change the wording by making it personal, interesting, and tailored.
I am a(n) ________________________________________________      (engineer/lawyer etc. – how you see yourself professionally, use personality traits )     who _______________________________________________________     (describe how you have used your unique skills/abilities/values)
for /to ____________________________________________________      (describe your target audience)
so you can ______________________________________________      (describe the desired experience you want your audience to have)
ambitious and talented computer graphics designer
can bring innovative thinking and creative problem solving
your modern, award winning design company
take your graphics team to the next level

30. Activity: Discovering Your Personal Brand
Practice with a peer and receive feedback!