Students in the USA with F-1 visas must gain practical work experience to see actual career growth. After graduation and during their studies, students often apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT) jobs, which tend to give them an advantage in the competitive job market.

This blog will help us understand the current job market in the US, how to strategically apply for the right job, how to create the right resume, and the current challenges associated with entry-level jobs for international students.

Understanding the US Job Market for OPT and CPT Students

To better understand the job hiring situation in the USA, you must navigate through the current market. There are constant changes in the rules of OPT and CPT jobs that are influenced by the economic condition of the country, regulations around visas, and the fluctuating market. Let us dive into the important aspects that need to be considered by every OPT and CPT student:

1. Current Job Market
The OPT and CPT programs for students in USA and the hiring operations have seen frequent fluctuations. In the year 2024, there was a hike in job openings up to 7.744 million along with a wave of mass hiring in sectors such as professional and business services and hospitality. But soon after, the OPT and CPT jobs in USA for students saw a steep decline that reached 7.673 million. This indicated the decline in the hiring sector and the current market scenario. The current job market in the USA is a perfect example of why strategic job search is an essential element of finding the right jobs.

2. High-Paying Industries and Job Roles
There are specific industries in the US that continue to offer better job opportunities for OPT and CPT students regardless of the fluctuations that take place in the US market. since the year 2024, industries such as healthcare, finance, engineering etc have been
offering the most high-paid jobs, especially for the role of software developers, data scientists, healthcare administrators etc.
Although the demand for OPT jobs in California and other US states has been constant through the change in the market, the competition has only increased. To stay relevant through the competition, CPT and OPT students have to strategically upskill and gain relevant experience.

3. Ideal Locations
Certain locations in the US including New York, Austin, San Francisco and Seattle have better CPT and OPT job opportunities for F1 visa holding students. These cities have been offering high-paying jobs to international students with better opportunities and better roles. These regions are well known for their growing presence in the field of technology, thus providing more jobs.


READ MORE:

https://www.optnation.com/opt-jobs-in-california
https://www.optnation.com/blog/hiring-job-in-usa-for-opt-students/
https://www.optnation.com/