How CPT Can Boost Your Job Prospects as an International Student

International students on F-1 visas often worry about what happens after they graduate—specifically, how to land a job and stay in the U.S. legally. While strong academics are important, real-world work experience during your is often the key to making yourself more employable.

In the U.S., F‑1 international students have two legal pathways to gain work experience: Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT). While OPT is typically used after graduation, CPT allows students to engage in work or internship opportunities during their academic program, as long as the work is integral to their curriculum and authorized by their Designated School Official (DSO).

1. Two Paths to Internship: OPT vs. CPT

2. How Many International Students Engage in Internships in the US?

Recent data from the 2024 SEVIS by the Numbers Report shows a large number of F‑1 students using practical training in the U.S. For calendar year 2024:

• 130,586 students obtained work authorization through CPT

• 194,554 students used OPT, including 95,384 who qualified for STEM OPT extensions

• A total of 381,140 unique international students had SEVIS records authorizing either CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT

This data highlights the widespread adoption of both OPT and CPT among international students in the U.S. If you're not actively thinking about gaining internship experience, you may already be falling behind your peers. While OPT is more widely recognized and commonly used, CPT remains an underutilized yet equally powerful tool—especially because it allows you to gain valuable U.S. work experience before graduation.

By starting early with CPT, you not only build your résumé and confidence but also make the transition into OPT smoother and more strategic. With only 90 days of unemployment permitted under OPT, having prior internship experience through CPT can give you a competitive edge when you're actively job hunting post-graduation.

3. Why Work Experience Matters

3-1 Higher Employment Rate After Graduation

You may not find CPT-specific hiring statistics, but there’s overwhelming evidence that students with internship experience—of any kind—are far more likely to be hired after graduation. Here’s what research on general internship outcomes tells us:

🗂️ 12.6% more likely to get a job interview

A randomized field experiment using over 1,200 resumes found applicants with internship experience had a 12.6% higher chance of receiving interview invitations compared to those without internships

📈 2x more likely to land a full-time job offer

According to findings shared by academic analyses and reported by career services offices, students who complete internships are up to 4.43 times more likely to obtain employment after graduation, a proxy for roughly doubling the hire likelihood for many groups.

💰 Earn an average of $3,000 more in their first job

Research from the Strada Education Foundation shows that students who participate in paid internships earn around $3,000 more in their first full-time job compared to peers without such experiences

🔁 Many interns are converted into full-time hires after the internship

National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) data shows that 72% of companies offer full-time employment to their interns, with nearly 80% of those offers accepted

Since CPT is essentially a U.S.-based internship tailored for international students, it’s reasonable to expect that it offers the same—if not greater—benefits as domestic internships. In fact, for international students, the value of CPT may be even more profound.

Unlike domestic students, most international students arrive in the U.S. without an established professional network, local work history, or cultural familiarity. Internships through CPT provide a crucial bridge, not just to employment, but to integration into the American workplace and society.

3-2 Professional Network Building

According to research by the Institute of International Education (IIE), networking and career development opportunities are among the top three reasons international students pursue U.S. education. However, surveys consistently show that international students face higher barriers to job placement, often due to lack of connections, cultural differences in communication, or unfamiliarity with the U.S. job market norms.

Internships help level this playing field. Through CPT, students gain real-world experience, improve workplace communication, and begin to understand the professional etiquette and expectations unique to U.S. companies. Most importantly, they start to build the kind of professional relationships that lead to referrals, mentorship, and long-term opportunities—key success factors in the American job market, where an estimated 70–80% of jobs are filled through networking rather than cold applications.

For new immigrants or international students looking to establish roots, CPT can be more than just work authorization—it’s a powerful launchpad into a new professional and cultural landscape.

Whether you’re aiming for a job in tech, business, engineering, or healthcare, having actual U.S. work experience makes you a stronger candidate.

4. Introducing Hybrid Professional Programs

If you're an international student currently in the U.S. (perhaps already on an F-1 visa), you may want to consider a Hybrid Professional Program, sometimes referred to as Day 1 CPT programs or CPT integral program.

These are graduate programs designed to include CPT from the start, allowing you to legally work and study at the same time. Most are structured with flexible schedules (online + on-site), so students can:

• Start CPT from their first semester
• Attend short in-person residencies to meet SEVIS compliance
• Work full-time in a role that supports their career path
• Earn a master’s degree while building a long-term U.S. career

Some programs we promote are also ACBSP-accredited and offer practical perks like free housing and meals during onsite residencies—a major benefit for students balancing school and work.

5. Ready to Build Your Future?

If you’re an F-1 student looking to gain U.S. work experience, CPT isn’t just an option—it’s a strategy. And if you’re considering your next academic step, Hybrid Professional Programs with CPT access from day one can help you stay in status, build your résumé, and take real steps toward long-term employment in the U.S.

👉 Talk to us today to explore programs that match your career goals—and get started with CPT from day one.