Our lobby is open 9:00-5:00. We also offer virtual appointments.

International Students

At the Career & Internship Center, we understand that international students navigate many transitions in coming to the UW such as moving to a new country or understanding U.S. academic and work culture. We are here to be a resource in helping international students understand and navigate available opportunities.  Topics we can help international students with include preparing for career fairs, finding internships, and finding on-campus work and jobs in the United States, home country, or abroad. In addition, we have quarterly workshops on those same topics which international students can attend in person or online. Our office can also help with empowering international students to advocate for themselves as they look for opportunities.

Different roles in the internship and job search process:

  • • Be aware and understand visa restrictions and the various processes/timelines of qualifying and applying for CPT & OPT.
    • Enroll in concurrent academic course alongside your experience (if applicable)
    • Obtain and fill out the proper paperwork for applications
    • Understanding employment authorization
    • Be able to communicate to employers work eligibility & visa status.

  • ISS staff advises international students with F-1 or J-1 visas who are enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs on the Seattle campus of the
    University of Washington. ISS is located in Schmitz 459.

    • Provide guidance on maintaining F-1 or J-1 immigration status while attending the UW
    • Process F-1 and J-1 immigration benefits
    • Navigate university policy and understand F-1 and J-1 visa restrictions
    • Ensure university and student compliance with immigration policies
    • Provide educational tools, including workshops and tutorials

  • Student Legal Services (SLS) is an on-campus law office that provides a safe and confidential space for all UW-Seattle and Bothell students who have legal questions or concerns. We offer free 40-minute consultations on a broad range of issues and located in Husky Union Building (HUB) 306.

    • Advise international students with the process of applying for CPT/ OPT
    • Advise international students on factors that may affect their immigration status while studying at the University of Washington
    • Advise international students on the most common Post-Graduation work visa options
    • Discuss the specifics of various nonimmigrant visa categories that allow for international students to study in the United States and helping decide which visa type is best for them

  • • Coach international students on finding, applying, and interviewing for internships and jobs (both on-campus, in the U.S and abroad).
    • Create and edit resumes and cover letters
    • Conduct mock interviews
    • Prepare for career fairs
    • Help navigate and practice talking to employers about their status
    • Strategize ways to cultivate and practice necessary skills for the area of work students are interested in

  • Your departmental advisers are responsible for signing off on your CPT paperwork and demonstrating that the CPT opportunity aligns with your academic major.

    *If you are a pre-major student you can enroll in GEN ST 350 as your CPT credit

  • Employers are responsible for knowing (though not all are aware) if they accept CPT/OPT and H-1B Visas.

Career Suggestions for International Students:

  • Job Seeking Tips for International Students- List of FAQ’s that are asked by international students about job searching and the hiring process.
  • Be proactive!– Whether you are creating your first resume, finding and applying for internships and jobs, these processes all take time, effort, and patience. To be successful, international students should plan ahead and put in the effort. In 2018-2019 academic year, there were 697 unique employers hired UW international students as interns in and over 3,000 unique employers have hired UW international students as interns in the past 8 years. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and to seek out opportunities! 

Join International Student Mentorship Program!

“ISMP (International Student Mentorship Program) is an international community catering to the leadership and professional development of international students at the University of Washington.

Aside from professional and leadership development activities, we also have regular social bonding events. We also …

By Erin Lee (She/Her)
Erin Lee (She/Her) Career Coach
Read more

International Student Panel on Landing U.S. Jobs

Onboard Student Services hosted an international student panel (2021) with Jahnavi Singh (Data Analyst at Better.com), Shruti Manglik (Security Trader at Goldman Sachs), and Nishchala Bhandari (Senior Analyst, Business Intelligence & Analytics at Initiative). Watch to learn about their experiences …

By Erin Lee (She/Her)
Erin Lee (She/Her) Career Coach
Read more

5 Tips for Navigating the H-1B Visa Process

Each year, thousands of international students apply for H-1B visas—temporary non-immigrant visas that allow individuals to work in the U.S. Since only a limited number of H-1Bs are given out each year, the H-1B visa process can be stressful, not …

By Firsthand
We help applicants, students, job-seekers and professionals like you find the right career path using the power of firsthand experiences.
Read more

International Student Seminar with Shawn Lipton (8/17 @ UW)

What: Renowned speaker and career coach Shawn Lipton shares his expert views on how international students can adapt to the cultural norms in the US to network and develop career skills.
When: Wednesday, August 17, 2022, 9am-12pm
Where: DEM 302 …

By Erin Lee (She/Her)
Erin Lee (She/Her) Career Coach
Read more

Job-Search Strategies for International Students Who Didn’t Win the 2022 H-1B Lottery

In the recent H-1B visa lottery, 483,927 applications were filed for only 85,000 available visas. This means that more than 80 percent of applicants wanting an H-1B visa, which allows internationals to work in the U.S., won’t get one.

To …

By Firsthand
We help applicants, students, job-seekers and professionals like you find the right career path using the power of firsthand experiences.
Read more

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Student Stories & Advice

Adrian An

Student Stories & Advice
  • Master of Science in Data Analytics Engineering Northeastern University Seattle
Meet Adrian >

Vivian Chen

Student Stories & Advice
  • Department of Food and Resource Economics University of Copenhagen, Denmark
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Jiani Huang

Student Stories & Advice
  • Master of Science in Information University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
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Luna V

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  • Research Technologist UW Medicine
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Bonnie Cheng

Student Stories & Advice
  • Ed.M in Mental Health Counseling, Teachers College Columbia University
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Saghar Amini

Student Stories & Advice
  • Legislative Assistant State of Washington
Meet Saghar >

Jiwen Xiao

Student Stories & Advice
  • Graduate School of Education University of Pennsylvania
Meet Jiwen >

Lucy Zhong

Student Stories & Advice
  • Grad Student - Architecture University of Pennsylvania
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Lukas M

Student Stories & Advice
  • Technical Associate McGovern Institute for Brain Research
Meet Lukas >

Jae Won Choi

Student Stories & Advice
  • UX Designer Genospace
Meet Jae Won >

Featured Resources

Interstride

One-stop-shop for international students and global opportunities.

We know the international student journey can be challenging. From finding jobs from …

International Students and Internships

International students in F-1 status who meet certain eligibility requirements can participate in internships using CPT.  Learn more about CPT …

Resumes for Jobs & Internships in China

This resource is provided courtesy of MentorX. 10 different sample resumes written in Mandarin.

H1-B Sponsor Databases: Target Employers for International Students

GoinGlobal H1B Plus Visa Database
The powerful H1B visa search engine, developed by GoinGlobal, quickly identifies U.S. employers that have …

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: How to assess an employers commitment

Tips on how to assess an employers commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion while navigating the job search process.

Employment Info for International Students

There are opportunities for international students to intern and work in the U.S., but there are also many challenges.  The …