<p>Hey guys,</p>
<p>I have just been reading a lot and some articles scared me into thinking this(what title says). </p>
<p>Is it true?</p>
<p>I haven’t gone on co-op yet, so I don’t really know anything about how difficult it is to find a position, whether or not you’re an international student- by any chance can you post links to the articles that have you concerned?</p>
<p>Yes, it can be. International students have to be sponsored, and not all employers are willing to do so. They tend to have better chances at large corporations that are used to handling the whole process. After graduation is pretty much the same.</p>
<p>Co-op is still great for international students, and they’ll still graduate better off than someone without experience- but sometimes it just is slightly harder to navigate the visa issues.</p>
<p>Make sure you’ve mastered english. I’ve met many international students who were difficult to understand. I can’t imagine this translated well during coop interviews.</p>
<p>Wait, neuchime, while on co-op, I have to be sponsored? Doesn’t my F1 student visa allow me to stay?</p>
<p>I thought you needed it… I know for certain you do after graduation. I’m not sure though for co-op. An F-1 visa will allow you to stay while you’re a full-time student (which you technically sort of still are while on co-op) but I feel like there would be restrictions on actually getting a full-time job. </p>
<p>Looking it up, there is an “Optional Pratical Training” option with the F-1 visa. Maybe it has to do with that? You should call ISSI and ask them any questions you have. They know everything about this stuff. Also, they have group job search sessions (for post-graduation) specifically for international students, in case you were wondering.</p>
<p>[USCIS</a> - Questions and Answers: Extension of Optional Practical Training Program for Qualified Students](<a href=“http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=9a3d3dd87aa19110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD]USCIS”>http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=9a3d3dd87aa19110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD)</p>
<p>Alright. Thank you very much!</p>