In Progress

3) Internship & Experience Engine (Core Student Output)

CPT rules (part-time vs full-time)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a special benefit for F-1 students. During the school year, you are usually limited to 20 hours a week (Part-Time). During the summer, you can work 40+ hours (Full-Time). Be very careful: if you use 365 days of Full-Time CPT, you lose your right to work after graduation (OPT). Most smart students stop at 11 months.

In the US, hiring moves fast and it moves early. If you wait until you feel "ready" or "smart enough" to apply, you have already missed the bus.

Big companies (the ones that pay the most and sponsor visas) often finish their summer hiring by October or November of the year before. That means if you want a job in June 2027, you are interviewing in September 2026.
Use your first semester to polish your resume and LinkedIn. By your second semester, you should be applying to at least 5 jobs every week. Treat "Job Hunting" as your most important 3-credit class.

Free Resource: Save these dates: internship start dates and milestones

Resources

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