Curricular Practical Training (CPT):
International Student
Internship Search
GW’s International Student Services &
Center for Career Services
Courtney Luque, GW International Services Office
Stephanie De Souza, GW International Services Office
Anne Scammon, GW Center for Career Services
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
What is an
“internship”?
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Learning Outcomes
• Link Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and
internships & cooperative education (Co-op)
• Identify intern and Co-op learning opportunities
• Review intern and Co-op search resources
• Learn about resumes, networking, interviews
• Practice introductory pitch to employers
• Expand knowledge of interviews and interview
attire
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
CPT & Internships & Co-op?
• What Curricular Practical Training (CPT)?
– International Services Office defines (next slide)
• Intern or Co-op: Refers to a student who works
off campus in a position related to his/her
academic studies for a wage or no wage
• International students must apply for CPT
through ISO to “intern” off campus.
• ISO colleagues will discuss U.S. regulations,
application procedures and reference Co-op
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Regulation - CPT
• Curricular practical training. An F-1 student may be
authorized by the DSO to participate in a curricular
practical training program that is an integral part of
an established curriculum. Curricular practical
training is defined to be alternative work/study,
internship, cooperative education, or any other type
of required internship or practicum that is offered by
sponsoring employers through cooperative
agreements with the school.
8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)
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Why an Internship?
• Structured learning experience with description of
duties, a supervisor and goals for learning
• Experience the U.S. workplace
• Increase your marketability to U.S. employers
• Build personal and professional confidence
• Gain practical experience and transferable skills
• Apply classroom knowledge to develop workplace skills
• Build English proficiency and develop relationships
• Explore career paths and specific industries and fields
• Receive feedback from supervisor
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Create an Intern (CAREER?)
Search PLAN
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#1 Identify goals
#2 Understand VISA status
#3 Identify resources
#4 Research employers
#5 Marketing/Networking
#6 Interviewing
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
#1 Clarify Goals/Create a Plan
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What are your career goals?
Why are you interested in working in the U.S.?
Will working in US advance your career goals?
What do you want to accomplish?
– Be able to discuss your goals with employers
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
#2: Understand International Student
“Status” + U.S. employment
• Four challenges facing F1 students seeking
U.S employment:
– U.S. labor and immigration regulations/options
– Employer hiring preferences
– Lack of English language proficiency
– Adjustment to/knowledge of U.S. professional
culture
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
#3: Identify Resources
• MyVisaJobs www.myvisajobs.com
– Listings for foreign nationals seeking employers
– FREE list of employers accepting H1B Visa holders
• GoingGlobal, gwu-csm.symplicity.com/students
– H-1B Info Section: US employers who sponsored H-1B
visas in previous year. H-1B PLUS search for employer
listings, corporate profiles, and career resources
• Foreign Labor Certification Data Center
www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov
– H‐1B petitions for U.S. companies hiring internationals
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Top 10 Skills Sought by U.S.
Employers*
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Ability to verbally communicate with persons inside/outside organization
Ability to work in a team structure
Ability to make decisions and solve problems
Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work
Ability to obtain and process information
Ability to analyze quantitative data
Technical knowledge related to the job
Proficiency with computer software programs
Ability to create and/or edit written reports
Ability to sell or influence others
* National Association of College and Employers, Annual Survey of Employers, December 2013
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Online Intern Resources
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www.gwork.gwu.edu,
www.h1base.com/visa/work
www.idealist.org
www.myvisajobs.com
www.GoingGlobal.org, via GWork subscription
www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov
www.nypl.org/collections/articlesdatabases/directory-foreign-firms-operatingunited-states
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
#4: Research/Target Employers
• Identify employers who hire CPT or OPT visas/sponsor H1B
– www.myvisa.com and others
• Target employers who may consider internationals
– Say “no” to international students but hire for right person
• Research employers who need your skills
• Avoid U.S. federal, state or local governments
– Internationals cannot work for governments/employers with
government contracts
• Target others from home country who have jobs in U.S.
• U.S. companies working in your language/region/business
home country
• GW international alumni with US links
• International organizations
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Step: #5 Marketing/Networking
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80% of Jobs
Building Relationships*
Resumes*, Cover Letters, Career Fairs
Professional Attire
On Campus Networking
Online Networking/Linked In
Professional Pitch*
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
#5: Networking
• Hidden U.S. Job Market
• 80% of U.S. jobs are never advertised/listed online
– Technology: Online resources, employer websites, social media,
data/information/lists, LinkedIn
– People: Friends and friends of friends and friends of friends of friends,
Family, Roommates, Dry Cleaner, ISO, CCS, GW Staff . . . .
– Organizations: Student, professional, religious
– Community: Neighbors, Volunteer work
– GW: Professors, fellow students, faculty offices, alumni
– International connections
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U.S. companies active in your language/region/ doing business in home country
Others from home country who are officers/ company owners/have U.S. jobs
GW international alumni with US jobs
Smaller companies with need for targeted skills
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Networking via LinkedIn
Access to professional networks not on Facebook
Research companies, industries, and grad programs
Explore opportunities
Add connections with ‘warm’ contacts and alumni
Learn professional networking etiquette
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
30-Second Pitch and Practice:
INTRODUCTION
IDENTIFY SELLING
POINTS & CREATE
30-SECOND PITCH
CLOSING
• Name
• Class year
• Major
• What are you interested in? (specific position, learn about field or
company, identify summer internships?)
• Top skills and where you have demonstrated skills
• Top accomplishments
• Top leadership activities
• Class projects
• What do I want to request?
• Confirm next steps
• Request business card
• Thank you.
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Resume Basics*
• Sections: Identification, Education,
Experience, Skills
• Language: Perfect English
• Experience Descriptions: Focus on your
• Center Services: 48-hour Resume Critique,
Drop In Consulting 11am to 2pm, M-F.
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Structure of the Resume
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Contact Information
Education
Experience
Optional Sections:
Objective
Research
Activities
Volunteer
Skills and/or Technical Skills
Relevant Coursework/Projects
Leadership
Awards
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
LinkedIn: Build a Professional Online Profile
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
• Before
Interviews
– Research employer
– Identify location and visit before/Arrive early
– Practice – out loud – answering questions
• During
– Breathe, handshake, smile, eye contact, speak
– Answer questions
• Situation, task, action, results
• Employ stress relievers
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Before: Professional Attire
• Suit
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Well fitted, conservative presentation
Clean and pressed (ironed)
Men: Dark suit, shoes, socks; White button-down shirt, tie
Women: Dark suit, shoes; Hose, Blouse
• Accessories
– Shoes: Low heels
– Jewelry: Conservative, limited
• Portfolio (Avoid backpack)
– Resume copies
– Store employer information
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Curricular Practical Training
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Practical Training Eligibility (CPT & OPT)
– F-1 students who have maintained their F-1 status for
at least 1 academic year
• Students with full-time study in A,E,G,H,J,L or N status
should see an ISO advisor about possible exceptions
• US transfer students must be enrolled at GW for 1 semester
before they are eligible to apply for CPT
• Graduate students in programs that require an internship in
the 1st year of study must see an advisor about exceptions
– Employment must be
• related to the major field of study
• commensurate with the level of study on student’s I-20
– CPT  Must have an eligible job offer to apply
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
• Basic Facts:
– Occurs during the course of study
– Must be “an integral part of an established curriculum” –
receive credit or transcript notation
– Authorized by the ISO (in writing on I-20)
– Employer-specific (must have a written job offer to apply
and it does not transfer)
– On campus + off campus employment = 20 hours total!
– CPT can be authorized for paid and unpaid internships
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Where do I find the CPT guidelines?!
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Is there Checklist? Absolutely!!
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
CPT – Application Procedures
• Immigration docs:
• Visa
• Passport
• I-94
• Cover letter from you
• how is it related to your program of study?
• Prospective employer letter
• (on letterhead) MUST include all required items
• Letter from Academic Advisor to the ISO
• Verifying that the employment is related to your program of study
• Letter verifying enrollment in the appropriate curricular course
• Co-Op course is a 0 credit course through CCS, which shows up on your
academic transcript http://careerservices.gwu.edu/cooperative-education-co-op
• Other options are sometimes available (major specific courses); must be
included in advisors letter
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
CPT – Application Tips
• Apply early!
– 10 business day processing @ ISO
• Follow Center for Career Services guidelines
and application process for Co-Op enrollment
• You receive a “CPT I-20” once you have been
approved
• You are not eligible to work before you receive
your CPT I-20 !!!!!!!!!!
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
CPT – Part-time v. Full-time
• Hours / week
– part-time (20 hours-) during academic semester for
experience not required by the degree program
– full time (20 hours+) during authorized university
breaks (i.e. spring, summer & winter break)
• Impact on OPT
– Use of part time CPT does not impact OPT eligibility
– 12 months of cumulative full-time CPT results in the
loss of eligibility for OPT
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
CPT- Paid vs Unpaid Internships
• CPT can be granted for paid and unpaid opportunities
• Co-Op enrollment may be available for unpaid internships
– You must be enrolled in either Co-Op credit or academic
credit to qualify for CPT authorization.
• Labor laws must be taken into account when assessing
unpaid training opportunities
– Important DoL resources:
• http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs71.pdf
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Volunteering- General Information
• May receive “no compensation”
– Receiving compensation such as meals, free parking, discounts,
metro passes, gift cards, stipends are ALL compensation!
• Performs hours of service for a public agency for civic,
charitable or humanitarian reasons, without promise,
expectation or receipt of compensation for services rendered
• Offers services freely and without pressure of coercion and..
• Is not otherwise employed by the same public agency to
perform the same type of services as those for which the
individual proposes to volunteer
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Contact Information
CSC LOCATION:
ISO LOCATION:
Colonial Crossroads
Marvin Center Suite 505
800 21st Street, NW
Washington, DC 20052
Old Main
1922 F Street NW
Washington, DC 20052
HOURS:
HOURS:
EMAIL & PHONE:
EMAIL & PHONE:
gwcareercenter@gwu.edu
202-994-6495
iso@gwu.edu
202-994-4477
Monday-Friday
9:00 am – 5:30 pm
11:00 am – 2:00 pm (drop-in hours)
Monday-Friday
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
1:30 – 3:30pm (drop-in advising)
Please fill out an evaluation survey
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
International Students:
Internship Search
Courtney Luque, GW International Services Office
Stephanie De Souza, GW International Services Office
Anne Scammon, GW Center for Career Services
go.gwu.edu/careerservices