Azusa Pacific University, Career Services
Steps to help F-1 Students Prepare for CPT/OPT
START
Freshman
THINGS TO DO
Build Employability Skills
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Improve English speaking and writing skills
Practice public speaking and improve
presenting skills
Learn computer software programs:
Microsoft Office including Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access
RESOURCES
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Develop research skills
Sophomore Build Advanced Employability Skills
 Build social and professional networks
 Develop leadership skills
 Start gaining U.S. work experience through
on campus work or volunteering
 Learn to think in English
 Find a mentor; this person can be faculty,
staff, or a professional in your field
Junior
Plan Your Practical Training Search
 Develop a strategy to search for practical
training, but do not implement it yet
 Build a resume
 Practice interviewing skills
 Conduct informational interviews
 Attend job fairs & professional conferences
 Gain work experience in your field:
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Senior
Start Your Practical Training Search
 Apply for Optional Practical Training
(OPT) before graduation (see APU’s
International Center for more information)
 Search for OPT work sites using APU
Career Network
 Network with business/industry
professionals and faculty
English classes
Speech clubs
Communications courses
Computer literacy classes
Calling, Major, & Career
Exploration classes
APU International Center
HELPFUL ACTIVITIES
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Seek opportunities to practice English with
Native English speakers-get feedback (AIM
program)
Volunteer to make classroom presentations
Join Toastmasters:
www.toastmasters.org
(international student handbook)
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Career Services events
Student organizations and clubs
Student Government Association
Alpha leaders
Faculty
Campus events
Self assessments
Leadership conferences/seminars
Career Services
Career Services events/fairs:
Evening with Industry, Summer
Work & Non-Profit
Career workshops
www.apu.edu/careerservices
Career Services guides &
booklets
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APU Career Network
Evening With Industry/ Summer
Work & Non-Profit Fair
Mock interviews
Podcasts
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Attend campus events each semester
Join academic/career affiliated organizations;
become an officer and serve on committees
Join the AIM program
Apply for on-campus jobs in customer service
(APU Career Network)
Volunteer
Attend international chapel
Use Career Services for resume critique and job
search guidance
Practice interviewing, mock interview
Identify & check online resources for CPT/OPT
opportunities (don’t apply for OPT yet!)
Update APU Career Network profile to ensure
your F-1 status is selected under work
authorization
Build your resume and upload it in your APU
Career Network profile
Prepare for interviews with a mock interview in
Career Services
Organize a networking list with strategies for
your OPT search
Research companies & develop a target
company list
901 E. Alosta Avenue, Azusa, CA 91702 ● www.apu.edu/careerservices ● career@apu.edu ● (626) 815-2103; (626) 815-2106 FAX
Terms & Tips to Assist International Students in finding Practical Training
Terms
Tips
OPT – Optional Practical Training
CPT – Curricular Practical Training
Practical Training Search
 Large international companies will be more willing to
work with international students as will companies on
the east and west coasts.
Resume – A resume is a useful & helpful tool to assist you in
getting an interview for a job. It brings together your education,
work experience, interests, and skills into one comprehensive,
brief outline for the employer to read. A resume should be a
good reflection of who you are since it’s the first impression a
potential employer has of you. A resume for an entry-level
position should not be longer than one page. For more
information, please see Career Services’ “Resume Guidelines”
booklet.
Curriculum Vitae (CV, Vitae, or Vita) – A curriculum vitae
is a detailed listing of your educational achievements,
publications, presentations, professional activities, and honors.
The curriculum vitae is longer than the resume, generally being
two pages or longer. Curriculum Vitae are often used for
applying to graduate school, applying for teaching, research,
and upper-level administrative positions in higher education,
professional association leadership positions, and publishing
and editorial review boards
Cover Letter – A cover letter is a business letter written to a
prospective employer to introduce yourself as well as highlight
professional information about yourself. It accompanies your
resume. The length of a standard letter is three paragraphs. In
the cover letter, you can expand on points you may not be able
to within the resume. For more information, please see Career
Services’ “Resume Guidelines” booklet.
Resume
 Do not include Test of English as a Foreign Language
(TOEFL) scores.
 Do not try to “translate” your educational experiences
for employers. Simply list those experiences and
include your most recent experience. Being accepted by
an American University, such as Azusa Pacific
University, will signal to employers that you have
qualifying educational experience.
Employment Status
 Do not include information about your employment
status on the resume. Instead, include this information
in your cover letter.
 Check with the International Center for information on
your status and the types of practical training for which
you may be hired.
If you have questions about any of
these terms or tips, make an
appointment with a career counselor
to answer any questions you may
have and to help you with your
practical training search.
901 E. Alosta Avenue, Azusa, CA 91702 ● www.apu.edu/careerservices ● career@apu.edu ● (626) 815-2103; (626) 815-2106 FAX