If you are in the United States pursuing your higher education, then taking up CPT or OPT must have crossed your mind. Taking up OPT increases your chances to stay in the USA for an extra 12 months, while STEM OPT increases your chances to a total of 36 months. But what after completing this period? In this blog, we will discuss various companies or firms where you can apply while you are on CPT or OPT and increase your chances of being hired after the completion period.
What is OPT?
Optional Practical training is an option for international students to increase their skills in the field of study by applying the concepts in real life. Students opting for OPT get a 12-month extension of their F1 student visa. This means that they can stay in the USA for an extended period of 12 months and work with their employer. In the case of STEM OPT, the student gets an additional 24-month extension.
What is CPT?
Curricular Practical Training is a training program to enhance knowledge related to the course of study. It can be part-time (20 hours or less) or full-time (20 hours or more). It is usually taken up by students if the course demands so.
OPT As a Pathway to a Job
While on CPT or OPT, students wish to take up certain jobs to increase their chance of getting an H1B visa. Getting an employer to sponsor your stay in the USA while looking for a job after course completion is not easy. It is thus advisable to look for good firms that hire students on CPT or OPT.
But the first question is whether the university or school allows the student to take up training. Make sure that before seeking a job from the firm, you are clear with the instructions of your course. The best person to guide would be the college’s DSO or International Student Office. One of the main benefits of practical training is that it can be used as a building block and help you move towards the aim of gaining an H1B visa after course completion.
For example, if you are lucky to find an employer in the U.S who is willing to hire you in the field related to your course while you are on practical training, the chances are higher that the employer might also sponsor your H1B visa.
Various firms where you can apply for consulting job opportunities under consulting or contractual work are-
- Accenture
- IBM
- Infosys
- TCS
- Apple
- Amazon
- Tesla
- Ernest and Young
- Cognizant Technology
- Wipro Limited
- Deloitte and Touche
- Microsoft
- Qualcomm Technologies, Inc
(For more information about companies hiring OPT students, refer to the link – https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/data_Top200_EmployersSTEM_OPT_Students2018.pdf. The link will give you an idea about different companies where you can try your luck. The data is related to the year 2018.)
