Keys to Success and Resources

The job / internship search process for international students is challenging and complicated, but it can be navigated successfully!

▪ Take ownership of your search; Undergraduate Career Development (UCD) is here to provide you with the tools, resources, and confidence to conduct a successful search, but the office is not a placement service and does not guarantee internships or full-time positions

▪ Understand and fully utilize the specialized resources that Bentley offers to support international students

▪ Target companies that have a history of hiring international candidates and be prepared to explain your work authorization status

▪ Don’t limit your search to the U.S. market; keep your options open in your home country or other countries where you are legally able to work

▪ Despite a decline in recent years, there are approximately 1,000,000 international students in the U.S. each year

▪ The U.S. government has limited the number of H1Bs made available each year o The current annual cap is 65,000 visas, with 20,000 additional visas for professionals who graduate with a master’s degree or doctorate

▪ Some employers simply do not have the resources to hire international talent; others are not willing to risk training and investing in talent that they may not be able to retain

▪ About 30% of employers indicate that they are willing to hire international students (NACE Job Outlook 2020)

▪ Again, don’t limit your search to the U.S. market!

The Center for International Students and Scholars (CISS) provides resources for international students and promotes interactions between domestic and international students. Check out CISS’ comprehensive Employment Information for International Students. Below are a few highlights:

▪ CISS offers information sessions each semester to help students understand F-1 regulations related to work authorization o Check CISS’ website or CareerEdge for details

▪ Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is the authorization an F-1 student requires to do an internship in the United States while studying at Bentley o Explore the site to understand CPT Eligibility, Applying for CPT, FAQs, and more

▪ Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a benefit of your F-1 status that allows 12 months of offcampus employment in the US for the purpose of practical experience in your major field of study o Explore the site to understand OPT Eligibility, When to Apply, Choosing your OPT Start Date, and more o Click here for virtual and in-person advising hours o (781) 891-2829 | ga_ciss@bentley.edu

▪ All questions regarding CPT and OPT should be directed to the experts at CISS!

In addition to the Center for International Students and Scholars (CISS), Bentley offers a multitude of resources and student organizations that are designed to enhance the experience of international students.

The Multicultural Center (MCC) is the campus hub for diversity and inclusion activities.

The Student Equity & Inclusion Team supports gender equity, students of color, faith-based students, international students, and LGBTQ+ identified students through outreach, resources and advising.

ISA is a student organization that merges the different cultures that are represented by the Bentley community. ISA aims to create strong, diverse relationships and achieve cultural appreciation through different events and activities throughout the academic year.

BASA strives to promote Asian culture and cultural understanding within the Bentley community. BASA’s mission is to provide a network of support and a safe space for Asian, Asian-American, and non-Asian students alike at Bentley by creating awareness and understanding of culture, heritage, and identity within the community at large.

The Korean Student Association aims to introduce Korean culture through community events, such as exciting performances, beloved food, as well as folk games. KSA also intends to put Bentley University on the map by connecting with other organizations within the Boston area, as well as stretching all the way to South Korea.

PUSO was created to bring together the Filipinos on campus and share their culture with the Bentley community in fun and exciting ways! PUSO’s mission is to celebrate, educate, and promote Filipino culture to provide Filipino students with proper representation as well as a supportive environment and community.

The purpose of ASA is to give club members an opportunity to bring cultural awareness of the African culture onto the Bentley campus and help promote the diversity that the school is working towards. ASA strives to create a comfortable space for African students, current students on campus, and potential students looking to attend Bentley.

The purpose of CASA is to promote awareness about the various Caribbean cultures on campus through events, meetings and social gatherings. CASA allows its members an opportunity to have a safe space in which they are able to openly discuss and share their culture on campus, while also providing a safe space for students of other cultural backgrounds to learn more about Caribbean culture.

CHECK OUT CAMPUS GROUPS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE ABOVE OR TO LEARN ABOUT OTHER STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING:

▪ Bentley Association of Chinese Students

▪ Bentley Indonesian Students Association

▪ Brazilian Students Association

▪ Cape Verdean Student Association

▪ Chinese Young Professionals Association

▪ La Cultura Latina

▪ South Asian Student Association

▪ Vietnamese Student Association