Departments
Email: intlprog@cwu.edu
Phone: +1-509-963-3612
More Contact Info
Central Washington University
Office of International Studies and Programs
Hebeler Hall 102
400 E. University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7408
Employing an international student employee on-campus
Employing an international intern
Employing an international graduate
Many international students and exchange students are eager to find work on campus because it will help them with their English skills, introduce them to new people on campus, give them work experience, and allow them to earn some extra money for expenses. Hiring an international student or an exchange student will often provide a diligent worker and bring fresh perspectives to your workplace. Much about employing an international student is the same as it is with other student employees, but there are some differences.
If you want to see a description of the process from a student perspective, we have them here for Ellensburg students, and here for students at the Westside Centers.
International students are eligible to do internships and practicums, both on and off campus, in much the same way as domestic students are. Their international student advisor will have to approve the experience, and sign their Learning Agreement – and will also approve their Curricular Practical Training (CPT) employment status for the internship or practicum.
If hiring an international student who has not worked in the US before, they will need to apply for a Social Security number before starting work. They should receive their CPT endorsement before applying for their Social Security number. Aside from the Learning Agreement/CPT endorsement process, there are two other differences from employing an international student intern on campus.
International students are eligible to apply for a work benefit, Optional Practical Training (OPT) which allows them to work for a limited period of time after graduation. If successful, they will be issued an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) that allows them to work in a position related to their degree from a particular start date to a specified end date. Graduates in certain STEM fields are eligible to apply for an extension beyond OPT's standard one-year limit.
A graduate who has been approved for OPT will probably not need to apply for a Social Security number since they can do that as soon as they receive their EAD. They do not have a restriction on the number of hours they work based on their status, just those in state and federal employment law. Graduates on OPT remain sponsored by the institution they graduated from, and do not require employer sponsorship while on OPT. They are required to provide certain basic information about their employment to their international student advisor.
Many international students and graduates see OPT as a stepping stone to applying for an H-1B (highly skilled worker) visa. On-campus supervisors interested in extending an OPT employee's employment beyond their OPT expiration date should contact JoAnn Hundtoft in Human Resources to get started with the process and be put in contact with the Attorney General's Office. Off-campus employers should consult an immigration attorney familiar with such cases.
If you're interested in seeing more about the internship/CPT process or the OPT process from a student perspective, we have a description here.
The June 2022 issue of the Office of International Studies and Programs' newsletter, The Gl
CWU Faculty Members Awarded Prestigious Fulbright ScholarshipsBy Rune Torgersen Central Washington University Associate Professor of Geography Elvin Delgado,
2022 Globalization Appreciation Reception RecapThe Office of International Studies and Programs (OISP) hosted nearly 100 attendees at the 2022 Glob