Ruchit Duggal is taking five classes in his final quarter before graduation. Despite the difficulties of finishing a double major, Duggal, a McCormick senior and an international student from India, is more concerned with the year ahead.
He has applied for several jobs in the United States, but his international-student status makes it difficult to land a good position, he said.
Students with F-1 visas, such as Duggal, can only work for one year in the United States after completing their degree requirements.
This dissuades companies from hiring international students and limits post-graduate options, he said.
To even work that one year, students have to obtain approval for Optional Practical Training. Under the specifications of that program, students must pursue jobs that relate to their field of study.
“Sixty-five to 75 percent of international students apply for an OPT every year,” said Elizabeth Kendall Matthews, associate director of Northwestern’s International Office. “This year, 257 students have already applied for OPTs.”
To continue working after a year, international students must get a company to sponsor them for H-1B visas.
Finding sponsors is “tough but manageable,” said Diksha Vij, a Communication junior and international student from India who works in the International Office.
“As long as your qualifications precede you, it could be achieved,” she said.
International students have to excel to earn sponsorships, Duggal said.
“You need a really good GPA to compensate for being an international student,” he said. “Then they would have to sponsor your H-1B visa.”
Coco Shiao, a McCormick senior and international student from Taipei, Taiwan, was hired by Lehman Brothers, an investment banking firm based in New York.
“I was lucky and was offered a position in a company that was willing to sponsor international students,” Shiao said. “Many other companies do not sponsor international students with a bachelor’s degree.”
Looking for summer internships is also difficult for international students, Vij said. Students have to apply for curriculum-practical training, which requires that paid internships relate to their field of study.
“It would require work authorization,” Vij said. “However, companies think it is a big monetary commitment and it is not easy.”
Most students work in the United States for a year, but some, such as Weinberg senior Noora Lori, an international student from Bahrain, go to graduate school. Others go back to their country.
Duggal is still deciding on the best option. He has declined two job offers already because they were not what he wanted.
“I think about it often and wonder what would be the best for the future,” he said. “I may still go back to India, but I am hoping I will get a few tempting offers soon.”
Reach Pritish Behuria at [email protected].
