F-1 Benefit Employment Workshop

1. F-1 BenefitEmployment Workshop Pasadena City College International Student Center D204

2. Types of Employment • On Campus Employment • Off Campus Employment • Optional Practical Training (OPT) • Curricular Practical Training (CPT) • Economic Hardship

3. Important Notes • F-1 Students are not allowed to work without proper authorization from the International Student Center (ISC) and/or United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) • Must continue to adhere to ALL F1 regulations during employment periods

4. On Campus Employment

5. On Campus Employment: Requirements to Apply Students are eligible to apply if they have: • Completed 12 or more units at PCC • 2.5 cumulative GPA or above • Currently enrolled in 12 or more units

6. Finding a Job on Campus • Check with various departments on campus and ask if they are hiring – be sure to tell them that you are an F-1 international student • Departments that have hired F1 Students in the past: Library, Learning Assistance Center, Professors, Cafeteria, Bookstore

7. Steps to be Approved: • Obtain a job offer in writing from the employer • Submit request (with required documents) to the International Student Center

8. On Campus Employment Required documents Submit the following documents to the ISC for processing: • Job offer letter from employer • Documents from Human Resources Office • Verification letter form from On Campus Employment packet • Copy of passport • Copy of I-20 • Records of ALL classes taken at PCC

9. On-Campus Employment Packet Please see the On-Campus Employment packet online for the checklist. This can be found on the International Student page. Click on “Current Students” and then “On-Campus Employment.”

10. Please Note… • You are not eligible to work on campus during the 60 day grace period after graduating • You are not eligible for on-campus employment at PCC if you transfer out • You must maintain F-1 status to be eligible to continue your on-campus employment • Note: You can only work a maximum of 20 hours/week (except during vacation periods)

11. OPT

12. What is OPT? • Optional Practical Training • Defined as “temporary employment for practical training directly related to the student’s major area of study.” • Allows for up to one year of employment at the completion of AA or AS Degree to gain experience in a field related to your studies

13. OPT: Requirements to Apply Students may apply if: • Have been lawfully enrolled on a full time basis for one full academic year • Completing associate degree requirements in current semester • Can apply 90 days before completing the AA/AS degree or within 60 days after earning an AA/AS degree • Employment must be directly related to major

14. OPT: How to Apply • Print and read “OPT” packet from ISC website • Schedule an appointment with Reauna to confirm eligibility • Complete all forms in the OPT packet and submit to Reauna for review (Recommendation from academic counselor required) • Receive OPT I-20 • Mail application packet to USCIS (1-3 months processing time)

15. OPT Approval • Do NOT travel while OPT application is pending • Do NOT travel before having a job offer • Do NOT work until you receive your EAD card (Employment Authorization Document) • Do NOT work before the start date designated on your EAD

16. OPT Employment • Must have a job within 90 days of start date on EAD (volunteer or unpaid internship counts as employment as long as it is at least 20 hours/week) • Must keep the ISC updated with any changes to your contact information or employer information • Must have ISC travel signature before traveling outside of the U.S.

17. OPT Employment cont… • Your OPT will be canceled if you transfer to another school • You get 12 months of OPT per degree level • You may end your OPT at any time if you choose to transfer to another school, or depart the U.S. and return home

18. CPT

19. What is CPT? • Curricular Practical Training • Defined as “alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreement with the school.”

20. CPT: Requirements • You must have been enrolled for 12 units for at least one full academic year • CPT must be directly related to major • CPT must be required as stated in course description or in catalogue • Must be registered for the class requiring training • CPT is granted to a specific employer for a specific time period

21. CPT Requirements cont… • Must have an offer of employment • Work hours must match class requirement

22. CPT: How to Apply • Print and read “CPT” packet from ISC website • Make an appointment with Reauna to determine eligbility • Complete all forms in the CPT packet • Have employer’s job offer letter • Receive CPT I-20

23. Employment Based on Economic Hardship

24. Requirements • Have been lawfully enrolled for 12 units for one full academic year • Severe unforeseen economic hardship that occurred AFTER admitted to PCC

25. Economic HardshipHow to Apply • Make an appointment with Reauna • Provide proof of unavailability of on-campus employment • Provide proof of unforeseen severe economic hardship and proof that it occurred after admission to PCC

26. Economic Hardship Employment • Granted by USCIS for up to 1 year at a time, or until program end date – whichever comes first • Can be any job, does not need to be related to major • Off-campus • Limited to 20 hours/wk while school is in session – can be full time during summer and winter breaks

27. ISC Web Site:http://www.pasadena.edu/internationalstudents/ PHONE NUMBER: 626-585-7808 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISC.PCC Reauna Wong’s email: rswong@pasadena.edu

28. Please fill out the Survey before you leave. • This will help the International Student Center to improve its services. Thank You