Best Part- time jobs in the USA

The F-1 visa holders can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic term and up to 40 hours per week during breaks. While studying in the US is a great opportunity, managing expenses can be tough. A part-time job helps with finances and builds work experience, but students must follow work restrictions to avoid visa issues. 

In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to part-time jobs in the USA, covering on-campus and off-campus job opportunities, wages, and essential part-time work-related regulations to help international students work legally. 

Different Types of Part-Time Jobs in the USA 

In the US, part-time jobs are categorized into two types:

1. On-Campus Jobs- On-campus jobs are positions that students perform within the campus.
2. Off-Campus Jobs- Off-campus jobs are positions that students perform outside the campus or university.

Rules and Regulations for Part- time jobs

F-1 visa students can work part-time under strict regulations given that they follow the student visa guidelines. On-campus jobs are permitted from day one, while off-campus employment, including CPT and OPT, requires prior approval. Understanding these regulations is crucial to maintaining legal status while gaining work experience in the U.S.

On- campus Jobs

Here are the rules associated with on-campus employment:

• You can work on campus in jobs such as a library assistant or university tour guide if you have approval from the university.
• You can apply as early as 30 days before the classes start.
• Must maintain an active F-1 student visa.

Off- Campus Jobs

Off-campus jobs are not related to the university; rather, they are offered by private organizations. You can pursue these jobs only with approval from the DSO (Designated School Official). Off-campus part-time jobs are categorized into three types:

• OPT (Optional Practical Training)- Allows F-1 students to work in their field of study for up to 12 months (or 24 months for STEM) after graduation or during studies.
• CPT (Curricular Practical Training)- Enables F-1 students to work in a job or internship related to their studies while still enrolled. 
• Severe Economic Hardship- Provides off-campus work authorization for F-1 students facing unexpected financial difficulties.

Let’s look at each one of them.

OPT (Optional Practical Training)

Here are the rules associated with off-campus OPT job:

• You can only apply for OPT only after completing one academic year (two semesters).
• These jobs must be related to your academic degree program.
• You must obtain an Employment Authorization Document  (EAD) from the USCIS and your university’s International Student’s Office.
• You must be enrolled as a full-time student in a university or college.

CPT (Curricular Practical Training)

Here are the rules associated with off-campus CPT employment job:

• You can work under CPT only before completing your degree.
• You can work and gain experience only in positions that are directly related to your major.
• To work under CPT, you must receive approval from your DSO (Designated School Official) or your school’s International Student Services Office. 
• With CPT, you can only work for the approved employer and period. For another job, you need new approval.

Severe Economic Hardship

Here are the rules associated with the severe economic hardship work authorization:

• You must complete at least one academic year in the US.
• You must receive approval from the USCIS.
• Part-time jobs do not need to be related to your academic degree.
• You must prove the unexpected circumstances have led to severe economic hardship. to the USCIS 
• The work permit is valid for one year and can be extended if economic difficulties continue.
• The work permit ends if the student transfers to another school or university.

Want to know about the Average Cost of Living in the USA?

What are the Best Part-Time Jobs for Students in the USA?

Let’s look at some of the best highest-paying part-time jobs in the USA.

On- Campus Jobs

Job Type	Description	Minimum Wage/Hour
Peer Mentor	A peer mentor helps students in transitioning to university life.	$23
Research Assistant	A research assistant assists professors with research-related activities in various academic projects.	$19
Department Assistant	A department assistant assists faculty and staff with administrative tasks.	$18
Library Assistant	A library assistant helps in finding books, organizing shelves, and handling administrative tasks.	$16
Campus Ambassadors	A campus ambassador promotes the university’s programs and initiatives to other prospective students.	$14

Off-Campus Jobs

We’ll look at the best off-campus part-time jobs under OPT, CPT, and Severe Economic Hardship Work Authorization.

OPT (Optional Practical Training)

Job Type	Description	Minimum Wage/Hour
Software Developer	A part-time software developer engages in activities such as coding, testing, and deploying applications.	$25 – $60
Data Analyst	A part-time data analyst assists with data collection, cleaning, and analysis using tools like SQL, Excel, and Python.	$20 – $50
Business Analyst	A business analyst helps companies improve decision-making by analyzing data and enhancing business processes.	$35

CPT (Curricular Practical Training)’

Job Type	Description	Minimum Wage/Hour
Software Engineer Intern	A software engineer intern works on real-world applications by developing and testing applications.	$25
Cyber Security Intern	A cyber security intern helps professionals with tasks such as monitoring security data and vulnerability assessments.	$20
AI Intern	An AI intern performs tasks such as data preparation, documentation, model development, and experimentation.	$18

Severe Economic Hardship Work Authorization

Job Type	Description	Minimum Wage/Hour
Sales Assistant	A sales assistant helps customers make purchases and drive sales.	$17
Call Center Representative	A call center agent helps customers by addressing their questions or concerns about a product.	$16
Receptionist	A receptionist handles tasks such as greeting visitors, handling phone calls, and performing administrative duties.	$13 – $15

Tips for Finding Part-Time Jobs in the USA

• If you are planning to pursue an on-campus job, check your university’s bulletin board, job portal, or career services office for information on part-time job availability.
• If you are planning to pursue an off-campus job, search on job portals such as Handshake, Indeed, WayUp, LinkedIn, or Glassdoor.
• Make use of student unions to find on-campus jobs and seek help from career counselors to find off-campus jobs.
• Customize your resume and cover letter for the specific job you are applying for.
• Prepare for job interviews by practicing common interview questions and honing skills related to the specific job.

Conclusion

Part-time jobs help you earn extra money to support your finances while studying in the US. To do so, you need to choose jobs that align with your skills, complement your studies, and comply with work authorization rules. By choosing the right job, you will not only gain practical experience but also earn money to reduce your financial burden while studying.

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