As I engaged in a discussion on the ASEA Google Group regarding the eligibility of a foreign employee with Optional Practical Training (OPT) on an F1 student visa, Alan Stone, the editor of the ASEA Monthly, invited me to write an article to share my experience on getting a job as an international student.
The H-1B visa allows U.S. employers to employ highly qualified foreign workers in specialty occupations. Although not a prerequisite for H-1B, upon graduating from a U.S. school or earlier, if the situation allows, many international students would apply for optional practical training (OPT) to gain permission to work in the country for a limited time period. Employers then initiate the H-1B work visa application process for the student before their F1 visa expires. Given the limited annual allocation of H-1B visas, this step is crucial, often exhausting within days.
I came to the U.S. on an F2 visa designated for family members of international students. Upon admission to the statistics program at the Graduate School of Rutgers University, New Jersey, my visa status changed from F2 to F1. Knowing my lack of interest in following the traditional path of a statistics major to work for a pharmaceutical company, one of my friends told me about the field of actuary - a profession in the insurance and pension domains. “The Americans have a nice retirement system,” my friend added, “they have this 401(k) plan that when they retire, they would have about $401,000 in savings.”
After 9/11, many companies shied away from hiring international students due to changes in immigration laws and reduced H-1B quotas. Securing a job interview became the biggest challenge for a long time due to my need for H-1B sponsorship. Sometimes, opportunities come at the last minute. An enrolled actuary, unfamiliar with hiring international students, provided me with an interview opportunity. Despite having already filled the position and the intricacy of the immigration laws, they extended an offer and sponsored me with the H-1B visa.
On the first day of my job, I asked the chief actuary, “Why is a 401(k) plan called a 401(k) plan?” He replied, “401(k) is the section code in the Internal Revenue Code."
That marked the start of my career in retirement plans. Since then, I have taken the exams and gained the experience to become an enrolled actuary.
Disclaimer: I am not an immigration lawyer, and immigration laws have changed significantly. For specific questions, seek advice from a qualified immigration lawyer.
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