5 things to know about Optional Practical Training If you are just starting out your career, the best jobs to look out are entry level jobs. Entry level jobs can be obtained depend on your unique skills and goals. You can find these jobs through job search engines and job boards. It is best to learn about top entry level positions across the industries and discover your options. Optional practical training or OPT is an employment opportunity for international students. This can be part time or full-time training related to the field of study. F1 students who have completed one full academic year of course can enroll OPT. There are 5 things that need to be known about OPT. Types of OPT There two types of OPT. You can actually start your OPT program as part time while school is in session. This is called as pre-completion OPT. Post completion OPT is the optional practical training for upto one year after graduation. Stem extension If you are studying STEM discipline, you can apply for 17-month extension of your OPT period. That means you are eligible for 29 months of total OPT. Application time F-1 students may apply for OPT up to 90 days before their academic programs end and no later than 60 days after graduation. You need to apply to USCIS before 60th day completion. Find H1B sponsors OPT is actually a gift to F1 students with 12months of unrestricted employment. Once the OPT starts, make sure to find an employer who is willing to sponsor you H1B or another visa. Employers have wide range of attitudes towards international students. They worry that hiring an international student is costly and time consuming. Hence it is essential to improve your skills and talent before applying for entry level IT jobs in US. For more info Visit: https://www.simplyopt.com/search-job/optional-practical-training.html