International Career Week

Finding employment in the USA after graduation can be a daunting task. The annual International Career Week addresses the specific concerns that international students may have, and the issues they face, when applying for a job in America.

The annual week-long program is organized by International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) and the Career and Academic Planning office. Many workshops and presentations are scheduled to simplify your decision, and your job search. Potential employers and international alumni come on campus to answer your questions and even to hold job interviews for positions within their companies.

Read more about International Career Week.

Optional Practical Training

As an international student, your immigration status may limit your job search in the US market. But the good news is that students holding an F-1 visa (the standard non-immigrant student visa) can undertake OPT (Optional Practical Training) to gain actual work experience in your chosen profession. 

OPT is a US Government immigration scheme which permits undergraduate and graduate international students with F-1 visa status to work for 12 to 29 months on their student visa without needing to acquire a work visa. 

You may choose to take this time in shorter increments during summer vacations, or wait and take the full allowance after graduation from your bachelor's or master's degree. The employment you accept must be related to your major field of study.

The standard period is 12 months of OPT per degree level (i.e. you can take OPT after both your bachelor's and master's degree). Students majoring in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (the STEM subjects) can extend OPT for an additional 17 months (a total of 29 months), if their courses cover one of the following areas:

Visit the US Citizenship and Immigration Services website for FAQ about Optional Practical Training in the USA .

Internships

Internships opportunities are available to all James Madison University students. You will be highly encouraged to obtain relevant work experience in your field of study before graduation. Internship experience is a requirement for graduation for some undergraduate majors, such as Hospitality and Tourism Management.

Internships enhance your resume and job prospects, and are sometimes eligible for credit towards your degree, but are usually unpaid. Many students undertake an internship in the summer session between the third and fourth years of their degree.

The Career and Academic Planning department can help you find an internship, and you should also talk to faculty and your academic department for advice on opportunities available to you.

• Internships are available with the federal government, other governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations and private entities. See a list (on the left) of companies that JMU students have got internships with.

Career and job search services

International Job Search database

International students at JMU have access to the H1 Base Visa job search website. The website is designed to help international students who want to work in the US. It provides contact information for employers who have previously sponsored an employee with an H-1B visa and additional tips to help international students with the job search process, and articles of interest.

Employer relations and recruiting services

Approximately 200 business, industry, government and educational employers come to the university throughout the year to conduct interviews for open jobs and internships with graduating JMU students. To help students prepare for interviews, mock interview sessions with employer participants are held each semester. This on-campus interviewing program is called 'Recruit-A-Duke'. You can also add your resume to JMU's online database, which is made available to interested employers.

Resume development

Students get resume writing support at the Career and Academic Planning department. Resume writing workshops and resume review services are available throughout the year, and you may make an appointment with a career adviser to receive individual assistance.

Career fairs

The Career and Academic Planning office organize a number of career fairs, workshops and events each year to provide students with the opportunity to interact with employers and obtain employment–related information. Recent events include:

• Spring and Fall Career & Internship Fairs
• Resume Express Review Days
• Graduate & Professional School Fair
• Internship Fair
• Accounting Career Fair
• Health Care Recruitment Fair

Job search

Job search assistance is offered throughout the academic year, including presentations on job search strategies for targeted industries, behavioral interviewing, networking and evaluating job offers. You may also meet individually with a career adviser to tailor your job search. Job vacancy publications are available through the resource center, for a variety of career fields. JMU's online job search system also includes vacancy listings.

One-to-one career counseling

You may make individual appointments with a Career Planning advisor concerning your career development, planning, graduate/professional school application, internship search, and job search preparation.

Resource Center

The Resource Center features a large screen television for presentations, computers for you to develop your resume and research internships/jobs, and a library of over 600 books on a variety of career-related topics, including choosing a career field, employers and salaries.

Read more

• Academic pathways: preparation for your JMU degree
• Support services for international students
• Frequently Asked Questions