The first thing that comes to your mind even before you apply for an MBA abroad is whether or not it will be worth it. This apprehension is just fair, but when you consider the job opportunities an MBA from the US can open for you in the future, you feel like all the hard work and money you will be putting in to commence and complete your MBA journey will be rewarded rightly.
Even though there had been rumours about the new H1-B policies of the US, that can make it harder for the international students to seek jobs in the country, a recent tweet by the US president Donald Trump on the 11th of January has stated otherwise. Mr. Trump tweeted that the H1-B holders have nothing to worry about and the changes will be helpful for them to confirm their stay in the country. He mentioned that they want to motivate talented people to pursue career options in the country. After all, the US would never want to drive away Sundar Pichai’s and Satya Nadellas.
So What Can You Do?
This blog aims to clear all your queries regarding job opportunities in the US, right from getting a work permit to the various career avenues that open up after you complete an MBA from the US.
You can actually start working in the US way before you complete your MBA and you can also apply for F1 visa when you get selected for US university. You should know the important things before applying for US visa.
International students in the U.S. with a valid F-1 immigration status are permitted to work off-campus in Optional Practical Training (OPT) status both during and after completion of their degree. Until you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD), also known as Work Permit, issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), you cannot begin employment. Your OPT employment can occur anywhere in the US and you can apply for it while you are jobless or don’t have a job offer.
Another similar work opportunity is Curricular Practical Training (CPT). CPT employment is defined as an 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. CPT Work-Study programs help students acquire a paid position on campus or off-campus.
WORK PERMIT
Non-immigrant students, i.e., those who do not wish to settle in America permanently and are there only for educational or work purposes, need to apply for a work permit to be able to hunt for paid employment. A work permit is a document issued by USCIS that proves that the holder is eligible to work and be employed by an employer in the US. Here’s all the information you need on a US work permit – right from who needs it, why does one need it and how can one obtain it. The good news is, it’s not very hard to obtain once you have completed your master’s from the US. All you will have to do is fill out the USCIS Form I-765 and attach the required documents. You have to submit the application by mail and you might have to wait for several weeks for a reply.
From F1 to H-1B
When it’s finally time for you to get out there and look for work opportunities with greater exposure, and of course, pay, you will have to start shortlisting the jobs that you fit in and apply to them. If you manage to make it to the personal interviews and crack them as well, you have an employer who is ready to sponsor your H1-B visa – the primary US Work Visa for professionals and students from all over the world who work in specialty occupations. Valid up to 6 years, it is a dual intent visa, i.e, an H1-B visa holder can also apply for a green card – the document that officially makes an individual a lawful citizen of the US. Know more about the student visa process before applying for a visa.
Job Hunting in The US
Finding a job in the US after an MBA from a prestigious university shouldn’t be a big problem, all you need to do is stay focused and start working on it way before you actually graduate or are about to graduate. B-Schools have career services departments that help students in their immediate job search. They also nourish and develop in management skills that companies look for in a candidate.
Also, it is essential that you maintain and retain good relations and contacts with people that can help you fare well in the industry – like your professors with contacts in the business world, or people you have interned under, as internal references can help you big time in securing decent jobs.
Professions
What can you do with an MBA degree? A LOT is the answer. MBA opens up the doors to a number of career options that you might want to take up, because, first, you opted for an MBA because the business world interests you and second, it pays you well. Right from becoming a consultant to an investor, you can explore all the options that you like and look for yourself which suits you best. The best thing about an MBA degree is that it is highly versatile so you don’t have to clip your wings and can set out on discovering the best for yourself.
As long as you are taking into account all these points and are willing to work hard to graduate, you can easily land any job you want after you finish your MBA in the US. The only important thing to remember is to work diligently & passionately to fulfill your goal and have faith in oneself. We hope we were successful in solving the queries there might have been in your mind regarding the Job Opportunities in US.
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Good luck with your job hunt. May the force be with you!
