What After Study in the USA: Post Degree Courses, Top Companies, Jobs and Salaries

International students can choose several paths after studying in the USA. Many international students seek employment which involves applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) or the STEM OPT extension, allowing graduates to work in their field of study for a specified period. After completing a master's, there are high-paying jobs in USA for international students.

Stay back period in the USA after a master's is one year with an F-1 student visa. If you have a degree in a STEM field you will be eligible for a 24-month extension of your OPT, leading to a total of 36 months of work authorization. Apart from this, they can also pursue a master's or a career in a research institution for a PhD.

What After Study in the USA for International Students

After completion of a bachelor's degree, international students can pursue a master's or a doctoral-level degree. Here is the list of popular master's programs for international students:

Scope after Studying in USA

Jobs in USA offer promising career prospects for graduates from STEM field and MBA.

Jobs After Engineering in USA

Civil engineering is the largest engineering occupation in terms of job growth. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), about 23 % of new engineering jobs are projected to be for civil engineers over the 2016–26 decade. Mechanical and industrial engineers are second and third largest in projected job growth. There are a total of 140,000 new jobs expected for engineers throughout 2016–26. Here is the list of popular job roles and their annual average salary.

Jobs in Healthcare Sector in USA

From 2021 to 2031, the projected growth in healthcare occupations is 12.6%. Much faster than the average for all occupations, creating about 2.0 million new jobs.

Jobs after MBA in USA

MBA graduates in the USA earn an average annual salary of USD 93,000 (77.44 lakhs INR). Here is the list of the popular job titles after completion of MBA in USA along with their annual average salary.

International students are required to have an F-1 Student Visa to study in the USA as a full-time student. Students with F-1 Visa are not allowed to work off-campus during the first academic year. After the first academic year, they are allowed to engage in off-campus employment with OPT and STEM OPT Extension.

US Post Study Work Visa Duration

The OPT program in the USA is the other name for post-study work visa. OPT enables international students to stay in the US and undertake job activities for a determined time after graduation. Here's an overview of the OPT program:

• Duration: Two types of OPT with varying periods.
• Standard OPT: This enables international students to work for a maximum of 12 months in a job relevant to their course of study. Standard OPT is available before and after graduation.
• STEM OPT Extension: You may be eligible for a 24-month extension of your OPT, leading to a total of 36 months of work authorization if you have a degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) field.
• Eligibility: You should be in the F-1 student status and you should have completed a minimum of a year’s study. OPT may be applied for either before or after graduation.
• Job Requirements: Any employment during OPT must be directly related to your major area of study. Your job can be paid or unpaid and you may work for many employers.
• Application Process: Applying for an OPT program through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is essential. The application process for OPT takes several months, hence, it is always advisable to apply for it early. You can apply up to 90 days before your program completion date and up to 60 days following your program completion date.
• Reporting Requirements: While on OPT, you should inform your DSO the status of your employment and update your address as required by law.
• Travel: Although you can move within the U.S. on OPT, it should be remembered that entry after trips abroad may be regulated.
• Employment: In standard OPT, you have the opportunity to work for any employer and change jobs. You should have a formal training plan and work for employers registered in the E-Verify program during the STEM OPT.
• Extension: You are also authorized to file for a one-time 24-month extension, prior to the expiry of your initial OPT period, if you are on STEM OPT.

OPT program is very important for international students, who are capable of working in USA after their education. OPT helps them develop their skills, build their resume, and perhaps, open the gate for future employment.

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