International Student Services
Employment Options for F-1 Students
On-Campus Employment
International students are eligible to work on-campus after successful completion of their first semester which is defined as completing 12 units with a minimum 2.0 or "C" grade point average (GPA). Job candidates can present an Employment Permission Letter issued by ISS to apply for on-campus jobs. To obtain an Employment Permission Letter, submit the On-Campus Employment Request form.
While there are international students employed on-campus every semester, employment is not guaranteed. It is based upon the department's funding and the availability of student worker positions. Most departments who are hiring will require a job application and an interview.
If you are hired by a department on campus, complete these steps to initiate your work assignment. Keep in mind that each office/department may have different processing times for documents:
- Visit the ISS front desk to pick up an Employment Verification Form.
- Ask your new supervisor to complete "Section 1: Employer Information" on the verification form.
- Return the form to ISS so that a Designated School Official (DSO) can complete "Section 2: F-1 Status Verification."
- If you do not have a Social Security Number, visit a Social Security Administration Office and apply for a Social Security number using the completed Employment Verification Form and other required support documents.
- Visit the Los Angeles Pierce College (LAPC) Personnel Office to complete the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) employment forms and schedule an appointment for fingerprinting.
- You may only start working once your assignment has been cleared by the LAPC Personnel Office.
Off-Campus Employment
Practical training can provide valuable work experience in your field of study. LAPC offers Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). Informational workshops on both CPT and OPT are offered every semester.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
You may be eligible to work part-time while you are studying if practical training is an integral part of your program curriculum. Practical training may be an integral part of your curriculum if:
1) Your major requires you to enroll in a practical training course to graduate (e.g. Biotechnology, Child Development, Nursing or Veterinary Technology), OR
2) You enroll in a Cooperative Education or Directed Studies class in order to receive course credit for practical training experience.
To be eligible to apply, a student must complete one academic year in his/her program. Eligible students may submit the application once they are enrolled in the appropriate course and have secured part-time employment related to their major. You may only start working on your approved CPT start date stated on your Form I-20.
Post-Completion OPT
Once you complete your degree at LAPC, you may be eligible to work full-time for up to 12 months in a job related to your major. Eligible students are encouraged to apply during the last semester of their program. Post-Completion OPT requires United States Citizenship and Immigration Services approval in the form of an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). You may start working on the employment start date you receive from DHS.