Part Time jobs/Employment on Campus Do's and Dont's Part 1

Q1: If I work on campus, how many hours can I work?
A: You can work ONLY on campus for maximum 20 hrs per week. The 20 hr per week rule applies to american students also. But americans can work off campus whereas F1 students cant.

Q2: What about summer when school is not in session?
A: In summer u can work max 40 hrs a week but not more than 8 hrs a day.

Q3: How do I find jobs on campus? All that are posted are taken.
A: Some jobs are not necessarily posted. U have to ask around and interact with ppl (not only indians) to get info on available jobs.
Here's how I found my 1st part-time as an undergrad. I was eatin in d cafeteria when I spilled my drink. I went to clean it up when this girl walks over and says, "Dont worry, I get paid to clean that". And I saw she was a student (its not hard to spot a 18 yr old). So I asked her how she applied and whom she spoke to about the job.
So thats how I landed that job. So if u go to the univ copy room or see that some student is working, go up to him/her and ask about how he/she applied 4 dis job. U may never know what happens.

Q3: Whats wrong in working off campus? How will the US govt know it if I dont report my wages?
A: No reputable company will hire u on an F1 visa. They themselves will get into touble. If they pay u with money deposited to ur bank acct, there is a record of it. Ur name is already in the US legal database. So dont try it, its not worth.

Q: But my senior is working in a gas station and he makes money and he seems ok, why cant I do it?
A: There is a saying that the 1st 100 are lucky, but the 101st gets screwed. So basically dont let urself get into this. The way ur senior is avoiding the govt is if the gas station is owned by a desi and he is paying him under the table. Or he may be paying him corrctly, but the senior is not reporting those wages in his taxes.
Truth is, if u plan to worlk in USA and they do a background check, u cud mess things up.

Q: Can i survive expenses like rent and food with part time jobs?
A: Answer is a broad but not definitive YES. U can but u always need some backup money too. But by and by, part time jobs shud cover normal living expenses. But if u want to go on a crazy spring break trip to Cancun etc, then def it wont! :)

Q:What is the minimum wage they pay me?
A; At least in PA and the east cost, i think the min is $6.70 an hr, or most jobs pay $7 or so.

Q: Can I start looking for jobs now if I'm applying for spring 2010?
A: No, u cant apply, but when u finally select ur univ, then u can look at the univ website or talk to other studenst in that univ.

Q: So u r saying that if I make $7 an hr for 20 hrs a week, i will be making $560 a month?
A: Well, heres how it works. U will be paid either weekly or bi-weekly, but a certain SMALL portion will be taken out of ur paycheck for taxes. Now being on F1 visa, the govt cant tax u, so every april when u file ur taxes, the entire amt that was removed from ur paychecks for the past yr is refunded to u by the govt.

Q: So how much goes exactly for taxes? I need to know so I can plan my monthly expenses?
A: I cant answer that now coz each univ and each state in US works diff.

Q: I heard that girls dont really work part time jobs as its not safe. Is this true?
A: Not at all, girls work the same as guys. Of course jobs like univ police at night are not recommended for girls. 90% of jobs are done by both.

Q: Do i need a resume for part time jobs?
A: 99% No. Unless the job requires specific skills like a Lab Rover or a computrer consultant jobs.

Q: Mom said dont waste too much time on part-time jobs. Concentrate on studies. What the general trend in US regarding this?
A: Ur main purpose here is ur degree attainment. So do part time jobs just to keep u going while AT THE SAME time, talk to profs etc bout funding. See my funding tips thread in this community.

Q: But all the part time jobs are taken by the Fall 2009 guys. How will that help me?
A: U r thinking of only the indians and the jobs that only indians do. Make sure u choose a big univ and look in 'other' places on campus for jobs. U will be surprised how many ppl leave d jobs and vacancies open. Plus u have a good advantage to apply for summer jobs. Also keep in mind that many ppl graduate in end of Fall (point mentioned by Ashutosh).

Q: I hear ppl talking about OPT and CPT! What in the world is that?
A: I can give u a whole lecture on it...........but I wont coz its not worth it at this point. During ur spring orientation ur int'l office will describe it in detail and then u will know better. Trust me, no need to worry bout it for now.

Q: So if u say that the off campus jobs r illegal for F1 students, why do so many Indians do it?
A: The new trend is: Get to USA, show u have a "US degree" on ur profile and walk back to india standing tall.
Also, with so many small univs poppin up in d country giving I-20's like peanuts to students with poor acads, u have not-d-best lot of students in the US.
What is does is give the genuine studenst a bad name in the minds of the americans. So if u want to join that bandwagon no one is stopping you.

Q: So summer work is 40 hrs a week, but still only on-campus, right?
A: Correct.

Q: Whats the job scene in US right now?
A: Honestly it doesnt look too gud right now, but after 2 yrs or so, I am sure it will be better.

Q: So after finishing my MS, will I get placed by my college?
A: In USA, u dont get "placed". U have 2 do the effort to go to career fairs, info sessions, resume workshops, networing events, apply online and follow up. In a nutshell, if u have a 4.00 GPA and u sit doing nothing assuming a company will come to ur univ and pick all the 4.00 students, u will get nowhere. A guy who has 3.2 GPA, if he approaches the company and keeps in touch, they will consider him a better worker.

Q; Does the name of the univ matter for jobs?
A: It does to the extent that more well known the univ, more companies willl come to the career fair.

Q: What if i still have some more lingering questions at this point?
A: u can email me or ask me directly here. But thats just 1 option, U can get lotsa info once u have the acceptance from a univ.

Q: Does having internship mean I am gonna get full-time?
A: Not necessary at all.

Q: My friend got internship but I didnt and we are both in the same dept?
A: U need to evaluate how u presented ur credentials. I have seen ppl with the same academic qualification, but one guy is lazy to elaborate stuff and make a good presentation, so he may be lacking behind.
If u have no internships, but u had work exp in india, then u can still put that on ur resume and u still have as equal a chance as any1 else to get a full-time job.

Q: Do i need to dress up for career fairs or will a smart button shirt n' pant be enough?
A: YES!!! Suit and tie for guys, skirt/pants with formal jackets for girls.

Q: If i work in food services and I am pure veg and dont want to touch meat, will they not hire me?
A: No. You wont belive how much ppl respect other's opinions here in US. So if u r not comfy with handling meat, let them know and it will have no effect on their decision to hire you.

Q: I want to go to the Math dept for the tutor/proctor job, but my friends are'nt coming along or they're delayed.
A: Dont do job hunts as a group. Think about it: If 5 or 6 desi(or any) ppl walk into a supervsiors office asking for job applications or possible on-the-spot employmemt, it is a bit intimidating and shows a bit of rudeness to the supervisor

Q: I was told by a senior not to go to the spring 2010 career fair as I am too early to graduate and they wont even bother looking at my resume. Is this true?
A: While its true that u r too early to be on the job market since u just started ur school, u gain a lot by going to career fairs. USA is very very different from India in the job market and process. So by going to fairs, u get an idea of what to expect, what others are doing, how to talk to companies, etc. This is like ur dress rehearsel. So if u make some mistakes, its ok and u can improve next time. So that when the 'real' career fair comes when u r about to graduate, u r confident and know exactly what to do and say. So go to as many career fairs as u can and plz dont wait for ur friends

Q: Wait, u saying I shud have no friends and be a lone ranger here?
A: Thats not what I meant. Be a lone ranger for things like job hunting, and funding. Otherwise its best to be surrounded by ur peers and enjoy the fun the univ has to offer and also u can hang out with ur indian peers so u dont get homesick.

Read the next part here.