Fall 2020 Workshop Schedule

in Academic Workshops, F-1 Students, ISSO Workshops, J-1 Students, OPT workshops
September 23rd, 2020

The ISSO is pleased to announce our Fall workshop schedule on topics including on-campus employment, applying for Optional Practical Training, and Interviewing in the U.S.

For complete workshop dates, locations and session descriptions see our calendar. Additional dates may be added during the semester.

All workshops during the Fall semester will be offered virtually via Zoom.  When you register for a workshop at the corresponding link below, you will receive an e-mail confirmation with the link to access the session.

Workshops in collaboration with the BU Student Employment Office:

You’re Hired! On-Campus Employment for International Students

This workshop covers tips for finding a job on campus, U.S. work permission, your rights and expectations as a U.S. worker, Social Security numbers, getting paid and taxes. It is now offered online in an on-demand format.  If you are interested in learning about how to work at BU, you can watch the video any time!

 

Workshops in collaboration with the BU Center for Career Development:

Interviewing in the USA: A Career Workshop

Join staff from the ISSO and the Center for Career Development (CCD) for a program designed to help international students understand the job search process in the U.S. Sharpen your interviewing techniques by bringing your strengths as an international student to the table. This workshop will help you familiarize yourself with the intricacies of the U.S. interview process while learning how to best assess your skills and international experience to answer “difficult” interview questions.

Thursday, October 27th, 8:00 am [Register with the CCD here]
Location: Virtual on Zoom

Thursday, November 12th, 4:00 pm [Register with the CCD here]
Location: Virtual on Zoom

 

Internship Search for International Students

The Center for Career Development and the International Students and Scholars Office invite you to join us to learn how to prepare and search for internships specifically for international students.  This workshop will include information about OPT and CPT eligibility and other concerns.

Wednesday, October 14th, 4:00 pm [Register with the CCD here]
Location: Virtual on Zoom

 

Networking for International Students

Leverage your connections in the US and at home to enhance your global job or internship search. This session will be presented by CCD staff.

Monday, October 22nd, 8:00 am [Register with the CCD here]
Location: Virtual on Zoom

ISSO general immigration workshops:

Q&A with ISSO for Graduate Students

We know you have questions! ISSO Advisors are here to help! Join ISSO for a brief overview of immigration updates for Fall 2020, followed by a Q&A session. Bring your immigration, employment and travel questions!

Wednesday, October 7th, 4:00 pm [Register here]
Location: Virtual via Zoom

 

Q&A with ISSO for Undergraduate Students

We know you have questions! ISSO Advisors are here to help! Join ISSO for a brief overview of immigration updates for Fall 2020, followed by a Q&A session. Bring your immigration, employment and travel questions!

Wednesday, October 7th, 5:00 pm [Register here]
Location: Virtual via Zoom

 

Employment Authorization for Internships: CPT and pre-OPT

It’s not too early to begin planning for a summer internship. This workshop covers F-1 student employment authorization options for off-campus work and internships including: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Pre-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), Employment through designated International Organizations

Friday, October 30th, 9:00 am [Register here]
Location: Virtual via Zoom

 

F-1 OPT: Application Basics

This workshop covers topics for students preparing to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), including eligibility factors and timing of application, considerations for travel and employment, and tips for preparing and mailing the OPT application.

Thursday, October 1st, 6:00 pm [Register here]

Friday, October 2nd, 9:00 am [Register here]

Monday, November 2nd, 5:30 pm [Register here]

Tuesday, December 8th, 9:00 am [Register here]

All workshops will be virtual via Zoom

 

F-1 OPT: Application Q&A Sessions (NEW for Fall 2020!)

ISSO has made our OPT Basics workshop available on-demand!  These Q&A sessions are for students who would prefer to watch the OPT Basics workshop on their own, and then ask ISSO Advisors the questions that they still have after watching the workshop.  Q&A sessions will not have a formal presentation, so you MUST watch the on-demand workshop prior to attending.  When you watch the workshop, please note questions that you have and bring those with you to one of our Q&A sessions!

Tuesday, October 6th, 9:00 am [Register here]

Wednesday, October 14th, 5:30 pm [Register here]

Monday, October 19th, 4:00 pm [Register here]

Thursday, November 5th, 4:00 pm [Register here]

Tuesday, December 1st, 5:00 pm [Register here]

Friday, December 11th, 9:30 am [Register here]

All workshops will be virtual via Zoom

 

F-1 STEM OPT Extension: Application Basics

This workshop is designed for students who have already submitted an application for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and who may already be working on OPT. Covers advanced OPT topics including an overview of STEM OPT, allowing OPT extensions for certain Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields.  After this workshop, students should be prepared to apply for the STEM OPT extension.

Thursday, October 27th, 1:00 pm [Register here]
Location: Virtual via Zoom

 

F-1 STEM OPT Extension: Application Q&A Sessions (NEW for Fall 2020!)

ISSO has made our STEM OPT Extension workshop available on-demand!  These Q&A sessions are for students who would prefer to watch the STEM OPT workshop on their own, and then ask ISSO Advisors the questions that they still have after watching the workshop.  Q&A sessions will not have a formal presentation, so you MUST watch the on-demand workshop prior to attending.  When you watch the workshop, please note questions that you have and bring those with you to one of our Q&A sessions!

Thursday, November 19th, 9:00 am [Register here]

Monday, December 7th, 10:00 am [Register here]

All workshops will be virtual via Zoom

 

Life After F-1: Transitions (Cap-Gap, H-1B and alternatives)

This workshop is designed for students who have already submitted an application for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and who may already be working on OPT. Covers advanced such as moving to H-1B employment-based immigration sponsorship, and “cap-gap” extensions of status and work permission.

Thursday, October 22nd, 5:00 pm [Register here]
Location: Virtual via Zoom