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Hiring International Students

Daniels School International Students

There are many benefits to hiring our talented international students, and there are myths to bust when in comes to hiring international students.

Read on for helpful data, information on work authorization, and more. 

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Benefits of Hiring International Students

  • Cultural diversity from 70+ countries
  • Global expertise -- international graduate students average 3.5+ years of work experience 
  • Unique perspectives for problem solving and decision making
  • Multilingual skills

International Student Enrollment

Common Myths About Hiring International Students

Work Authorization Information


  • Students may be eligible for work authorization for a paid or unpaid internship under Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for F1 and Academic Training (AT) for J1.
  • The internship must be integral to the student’s plan of study and can be fulltime or part-time. Under CPT, the internship can be remote.
  • Employers must provide offer of employment to the student for their work authorization request with the Office of International Student Services (ISS).
  • Upon approval, student will receive their I-20 (F1) or DS-2019 (J1) with employment authorization information, including employer name and authorized dates for employment.
  • Students on F1 Visa may receive work authorization for up to 12 months under Optional Practical Training (OPT).
  • The student does not need an offer of employment to apply for OPT employment. The student will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) once approved.
  • OPT employment must be in a job that is related to their major field of study, be at least 20 hours per week, and any work performed must occur during the authorization period listed on the EAD card. Remote work is allowed.
  • Student should present the EAD card for employment verification.
  • Students on OPT with a designated STEM major can later apply for a ‘STEM Extension’ (STEM OPT) to receive employment authorization for an additional 24 months. The position must be related to the STEM degree and the student must work at least 20 hours per week. Remote work is not allowed.
  • For STEM Extension, there is no cost to the employer, but they must be participating in E-Verify, complete the I-983 Training, and attest compensation commensurate with U.S. workers. Click here to read more about STEM OPT Employer Requirements. The employer who signs the I-983 must employ the student and provide practical training experience.

STEM OPT Eligible Undergraduate Business Degrees at Purdue:

  • BS Business Analytics and Information Management
  • BS Economics
  • BS Industrial Management (No longer admitting new students)
  • BS Integrated Business and Engineering
  • BS Supply Chain Information and Analytics (No longer admitting new students)
  • BS Supply Chain Operations Management

STEM OPT Eligible Graduate Business Degree Programs at Purdue:

  •  Online MS Business Analytics
  •  MS Business Analytics and Information Management
  •  Online MS Economics 
  •  MS Finance
  •  MS Global Supply Chain Management
  •  Online MS Global Supply Chain Management
  •  MS Marketing
  • Students on J1 Visa may be eligible to receive work employment authorization under Academic Training (AT) for up to 18 months.
  • For AT, students will need an offer of employment to apply.
  • Upon approval, the student will receive their DS-2019 (J1) with employment authorization information, including employer name and authorized dates for employment.
  • Employers do not need to sponsor a student who has work authorization under F1 (CPT/OPT/STEM OPT) or J1 (AT) status. However, if work authorization is set to expire, the student will need sponsorship from the employer to continue working.
  • Employers should seek legal counsel from a licensed immigration attorney to learn about the different employment-sponsored visas.
  • To identify an immigration attorney, please visit AILA Immigration Lawyer Search.

 Purdue Supports Your Hiring Efforts

Daniels School of Business

  • Available for virtual meetings to discuss your strategy and goals for recruiting the Daniels School's international students
  • Employers can post recruiting events and jobs on Handshake 
  • Can help you connect with our international students
  • Contact Corissa Wandmacher, Associate Director, Global Employer Engagement

Center for Career Opportunities (CCO)

  • Main contact for employers recruiting non-business degree international students
  • Employers can post recruiting events and jobs on myCCO (Symplicity) to promote to nonbusiness degree international students
  • Contact Stephen Roach, Director of Operations, Strategic Initiatives and Data Analytics

International Student & Scholars (ISS)

  • Advises international students at Purdue on work authorization under F1 and J1 only (not on employment sponsorship)
  • Creates an annual international student Enrollment & Statistical report for Purdue
  • Learn more about ISS

Additional Resources

Purdue University Enrollment Data:

Data Digest

Purdue Center for Career Opportunities (CCO):

Recruiting International Students

Purdue International Students & Scholars (ISS):

F1: Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Purdue International Students & Scholars (ISS):

F1: Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Purdue International Students & Scholars (ISS):

F1: STEM OPT

Purdue International Students & Scholars (ISS):

J1: Academic Training (AT)

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services:

STEM OPT Employer Requirements and Responsibilities

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services:

H-1B Electronic Registration Process

Find an Immigration Lawyer:

AILA Immigration Lawyer Search