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JOBS & OPPORTUNITIES

During the semester

Work:

"A student in F-1 status may work up to 20 hours/week on-campus while enrolled in a full course of study (12 credits for undergrads). There is no exception to the 20 hour-per-week ceiling, even if the employment is a teaching or project assistantship.

 As a full-time student, you do not require permission to engage in part-time work on-campus. You will need to show your employer documents which establish your identification and employment eligibility (many times that entail applying for a Social Security Number)."

(the above infomation is cited from ISS, the International Student Services) 

 

Some common on-campus job that TUSO Alumni have done include:

  • Various positions in the Wisconsin Union that range from event manager, office assistant, to deli worker and custodian. 

  • With specific centers/departments such as being a tutor at the CeO (Center for Educational Oppotunity), being "the IT person that fixs my computer" at DoIT, or being research assistant at labs. -- those opportunities most likely are more tailored to your interests and academic/career goals. They might not be as experienced at working with international students, though, so make sure to double check with the employer about your eligibility. 

  • At the school libraries (fun fact: we have 42 libraries on campus!)

  • With housing: as house fellow or cafeteria worker

**For a list of current on-campus job openings, please visit the UW Student Job Center (on-campus opening section) 

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Internships:

Internships are usually more specific to one's aspiration and requires more experience & training. There are numerous internship opportunities on- and off-campus (you could even talk to the agency that you are interested in and develop an internship position with them)! As a UW student, you enjoy access to many great helps finding and applying internships. For example:  

  • Career Services: a center to help students develop professionally. Services include resume workshop, mock interview, one-on-one advising... --(the link is for L&S students, many colleges have their own services)

  • Buckynet: a platform between employers and students-- (the link is for L&S students, many colleges have their own services)

 

Our school also provide opportunity for students to earn credits from their internships. Information regarding this is differnet for every college/department; please contact your academic advisor for more information. 

 

Some departments/programs (e.g. social work, human development, criminal justice...) require an intership for graduation. Applying through those programs might be easier since they have coonections to related agencies, but you might also be required to complete some courses before applying. 

 

Volunteering:

Volunteer experiences are often a great stepping stone to your dream jobs. Volunteering is a big part of the Wisconsin Experience for many Badgers! Below are some tunnels to help you find volunteer opportunities:

  • Student organizations: there is a great variety of volunteering-based student organization on campus. You could find them at the student org fair at the beginning of the semester, or through the WIN website anytime if they are registered. 

  • The Morgridge Center is a great place to go! They could help you search for many amazing opportunities, and they also have programs like the Badger Volunteer. 

 

 

 

During the summer

Internships:

For those in Madison, refer to the internships section under "during the semester" above. 

 

Summer might also be a great time to do internship back in Taiwan or elsewhere :) Below are some venues that might help you find opportunities:

 

If you wish to earn credits for your internship over the summer, don't forget to enroll it as a class and pay for the summer tuition. 

 

Jobs:

On-campus employment may be full time during vacation periods (summer, winter, and spring breaks) for students who have maintained full-time status before the vacation period and intend to register for the following semester.

(the above information is cited from ISS, the International Student Services) 

 

Please refer to the work section under "during the semester" above for a list of common on-campus jobs. Some on-campus job that might be especially of interest in the summer include: 

  • With Hoofers, the outdoor recreational program! 

  • Work for SOAR, the Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration

 

 

 

After you graduate

Jobs:

Graduating from college basically entails the termination of your F-1 visa status. If you wish to work in the US but couldn't immediately find one after graduation, students with F-1 visa could apply for OPT (Optional Practical Training), which is a maximum of 12months period (29months for STEM majors) that allow you to look for and start a job. The process of applying for OPT is not as easy as signing a lease or declaring a major, you might want to carefully look over this document provided by ISS; and you would need to attend a mandatory workshop on OPT hosted by ISS. 

 

OPT is intended to allow a limited period of time. To actually work in the US in the long-run, you would want to apply for a visa differnt from F-1, such as H-1B. "Individuals may work in the U.S. for a maximum of 6years under an H‐1B visa. This visa is valid only for employment with the company that petitioned for them. They must re‐apply to the USCIS if they wish to change employers. As soon as the initial job offer is made, they should petition for an H‐1B visa if employment is likely to extend beyond the practical training period." (ISS) 

TUSO is currently compiling infomation on H-1B, more details to be announced soon! 

 

Graduate Schools:

Applying to graduate school is often another route people take after getting a Bachelor degree. Applying to graduate school is very specific to your area of study, so please consult your academic advisor to further information. 

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If you wish to be connected to an alumni or current student as mentor on topics about applying to graduate school, please feel free to contact our TUSO Committee members :) We are here to help! 

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