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How to Work in USA with OPT? STEM Strategy for Chinese, Indian & Korean Professionals
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U.S. Career Strategy Starting with OPT Visa
For many people considering graduate school or MBA programs in the United States, the ultimate goal is finding employment there. However, securing a job in the U.S. as a foreign national is not easy. It requires careful planning and a strategic approach.
The most crucial factor for foreign nationals seeking employment in the U.S. is how to secure the appropriate visa. In this article, we will explain the path to success, focusing on the OPT visa, which is a crucial employment strategy after graduation.
What is OPT?
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a program that allows F-1 student visa holders to gain up to 12 months of practical work experience in their field of study after graduation. OPT serves as a vital stepping stone for building a career as a full-time employee in the United States.
Many companies use the OPT period to evaluate candidates' suitability and consider H-1B visa sponsorship afterward. Therefore, how effectively you use this period significantly influences your chances of long-term stay in the U.S.
The Importance of STEM
However, OPT has a disadvantage in that you can only stay in the U.S. for one year. This is where leveraging a STEM degree becomes valuable.
Obtaining a degree in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) provides a significant advantage for U.S. employment. If you complete a STEM-designated degree program, you can extend your stay by an additional 24 months on top of the initial 12 months, allowing for up to 36 months of employment.
This means you can work in the U.S. for three years without an H-1B visa. This gives you a tremendous advantage compared to regular one-year OPT holders. Put yourself in the shoes of a hiring manager: if two candidates have equal abilities, who would you hire - someone who can work for three years on OPT or someone who can only work for one year? The answer is obviously the candidate with three years of OPT.
This extended period isn't just about having more time to work. The biggest benefit is that it significantly increases your chances of transitioning from OPT to an H-1B visa.
Transitioning from OPT to H-1B Visa
Do you know the selection criteria for obtaining an H-1B visa (U.S. work visa)?
It's not based on ability or company status. It's actually determined by a simple "lottery." In other words, whether you can win an H-1B visa is purely a matter of luck.
Even if you perform exceptionally well during your OPT period and your company wants to hire you under an H-1B visa, you'll be forced to return to your home country if you don't win the lottery. While this lottery is held once a year, having a STEM degree provides you with three chances to participate in the H-1B visa lottery.
Therefore, individuals with STEM degrees not only can work in the U.S. for three years, but their probability of winning an H-1B visa also increases significantly. This is the royal road for foreign nationals seeking employment in the United States.
Visa Strategy, Career Planning, and Job Search Strategy
Since OPT is not a permanent residency status, you need to consider a long-term visa strategy. In most cases, the next step is pursuing an H-1B visa. The H-1B lottery is held every April, with a special quota reserved for master's degree holders.
When choosing companies, this visa strategy becomes a crucial consideration. Prioritizing companies with a track record of H-1B sponsorship and those understanding of foreign hiring increases your chances of building a long-term career.
It's essential to start your job search while still in school. Many successful individuals strategically utilize internships. Internships not only provide practical experience but also offer excellent opportunities to understand corporate culture and explore potential future employment.
Additionally, on-campus career services are an invaluable resource that shouldn't be overlooked. Career centers maintain valuable information about companies actively hiring OPT candidates and successful employment cases from the past. Furthermore, many universities have direct connections with companies and can arrange interviews with hiring managers.
Therefore, these strategies prove effective for securing employment and advancing your career in the United States.
Key Steps to U.S. Employment Success
①Choosing a University that Offers STEM Degrees
Obtaining a STEM degree is absolutely essential. Recently, even MBA programs have begun offering STEM designations, so a business master's degree like an MBA can work well. The crucial factor is ensuring the program offers STEM designation. Rather than focusing solely on top-tier schools, make the STEM degree your first priority when selecting programs!
As you can see, the path to U.S. employment begins with choosing the right university and program. To avoid situations like "I got my MBA but discovered it wasn't STEM-designated!", consult with advisors beforehand about program selection.
②Extending OPT to Three Years with a STEM Degree
With a STEM degree, you can extend your OPT period to three years, which should guide your job search strategy. Since some companies might not be familiar with OPT regulations, it's important to clearly communicate these benefits during interviews.
③Applying for H-1B Visa After Securing a Job Offer
Once you've secured a job offer, focus first on delivering strong performance at work! Without demonstrating your value to the company, nothing else matters - achieving solid results at work is absolutely essential.
Next comes the H-1B visa application process. This requires cooperation from your employer, so continuously demonstrate your commitment to staying with the company long-term.
④Strategy After Securing H-1B Visa
Many people begin pursuing green cards after obtaining their H-1B visa. The H-1B visa can be extended to six years of work authorization, which combined with OPT allows for up to nine years of employment in the United States. After this period, you can apply for a green card to seek permanent residency in the U.S.
Key Points for Success
Securing employment in the United States requires meticulous preparation and a strategic approach. In particular, choosing a STEM field provides a significant advantage, and it's crucial to start preparing early while considering long-term visa strategies.
Alpha Advisors has successfully guided many Japanese candidates to U.S. MBA/Graduate School admissions and subsequent employment in the United States. This success stems not only from our expertise in visa and job hunting processes but also from our established methodology in selecting MBA programs and achieving admissions with U.S. employment prospects in mind.
While pursuing a career in the United States might seem like a daunting journey, it's absolutely achievable with proper preparation and strategy. The challenge is certainly worth taking on. We hope this article serves as a valuable guide for those aspiring to build successful careers in the United States.
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