On-Campus Employment

There are several types of employment available to F-1 students, including on-campus employment. On-campus work can include a number of different positions and does not require employment authorization. On-campus employment does not include Federal Work Study, work at CMU for another employer (i.e., a professor's private company or companies housed in the Collaborative Innovation Center) or work at another school. 

Applying for On-Campus Employment

Read and prepare your applications carefully as you apply for on-campus employment. Part-time employment has different meanings to different entities. Part-time means 20 hours or less per week when discussing on-campus employment, while there is no standard definition of part-time employment for employers from an immigration standpoint. As an F-1 student, you may work on campus for up to 20 hours per week during the academic semester and full-time during summer vacation or any official school breaks. Students who are enrolled full-time during the summer session are not considered on vacation and may only work up to 20 hours a week. Students who are enrolled full-time during the summer session are not considered on vacation and may only work up to 20 hours a week.

Benefits of On-Campus Work Experience

Once you begin your on-campus employment, you can list this experience on your resume. Be sure to use the appropriate title for your position when adding it to your resume; if you are unsure, check with your supervisor. Also, make sure that your on-campus work experience is listed under the appropriate section, such as "Professional Experience," "Research Experience," etc.