Part-time Jobs In The US: Everything You Need To Know!

Studying in the US can be heavy on the pocket, but don't you worry! There are several jobs in the USA that international students like you can take up without hampering your studies.

You’ve crushed the hard part and got into your dream university in the US. A new country, new people, and new experiences await you. But before you start your new journey in the US, you need to cover one crucial step to lead a fulfilling life in the US which is finding a part time job. Once you’ve completed the first big step of getting into a well-reputed university in the US, finding the right part-time job is the next crucial step to manage your expenses overseas. 

Part-time employment helps you experience an independent lifestyle and improve your standard of living in the US without putting a dent in your savings. But apart from that, finding the right employment will help you get a better understanding of the culture and quickly adapt to your new environment.

According to the F-1 student visa regulations, you are permitted to work up to 20 hours a week and only on campus. When classes are not in session, you have the opportunity to work up to 40 hours a week to make the extra dollar you need to go on a short trip or take in a new local experience.

There are two types of part-time jobs that you can seek out:

On-campus jobs in the US

Here are some of the things you need to keep in mind before starting your on-campus job:

• You must maintain valid F-1 status
• You can work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session
• You can work full-time on-campus during holidays and vacation periods

Here are some of the on-campus jobs available for Indian students:

• Teaching assistants
• Catering assistants and Food runners
• Research study assistant
• University Campus Tour Guide
• Library page
• Computer lab technician
• Department Assistant
• Campus tech support
• University bookstore assistant
• Barista
• Babysitter
• Sales job

Off-campus jobs in the US

Even though the rules of off-campus jobs are stricter than the on-campus ones, there are tons of opportunities for Indian students in the US. But if you’re opting for an off-campus job, there are some rules you need to adhere to:

1. You must maintain a valid F-1 status
2. Work authorisation in the form of OPT or CPT. This authorisation is crucial to secure an off-campus job in the US.

Let’s look at some of the off-campus options:

• Call centers
• Store associates
• Language interpreters and translators
• Tourist Guide

These days there are online job opportunities for students as well. Here are some of the online options:

• Content Writer
• Graphic Designer
• Data entry agent
• HR recruiter
• Online tutor
• Social media manager
• Translator
• Web developer
• Business development manager
• Video editor

The average hourly wage for part-time work is about $13, with jobs like Sales Assistant paying up to $20 an hour to jobs like campus ambassador paying up to $11 an hour. Depending on your skill set, you can choose a job from the lists above that helps meet your financial needs without affecting your education.

So how do you find these jobs?

Here are some of the ways you can find a part-time job in the US:

• Career Services Office
• Student Unions
• University Departments
• Networking
• Online Platforms

With all of this information, if you are planning to study in the US, it should be easier for you to find a part-time job and manage your expenses.