Noemi Collado鈥痠s a CU Boulder graduate鈥痺ho鈥痠s currently鈥痝aining practical training while鈥痮n STEM OPT. ISSS reached out to Noemi to ask about the type of training she is doing and how鈥疨ost-Completion鈥疧PT has helped her gain practical training in her major field of study (Chemical听Engineering).鈥�疘SSS is鈥痚xcited to spotlight听Noemi鈥檚听experience and advice for other F-1 students who might be planning to apply for鈥�Post-Completion OPT鈥痑苍诲鈥�STEM OPT.鈥�听
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Noemi听is鈥痺orking as a Research Associate in Process Engineering听at American Air Liquide Inc.听When asked about the type of projects Noemi is working on, she听said, 鈥淚 work on different research projects related to Process Engineering both for听external requests听and for the technology development of the company.听Since I'm working on research, this OPT experience allows me to keep learning in my field every day.鈥澨�听
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ISSS supports students before their OPT journey by providing step by step instructions for seeking OPT authorization, reviewing their application materials, and issuing the I-20 that recommends OPT. Before applying for OPT, Noemi wishes she knew more about the deadlines and conditions needed to apply (e.g.听last research date, graduation date, semester enrollment, etc.).听听
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When seeking OPT authorization and applying for her听current听position,听Noemi听stated, 鈥淭he application, interview,听and hiring process for me as an OPT student was very easy听because听my manager and the company were听both听very familiar with the OPT process.鈥濃�疘SSS wants to remind students that the鈥�Career Services Office鈥痑t CU Boulder is a valuable connection for students in their career pursuits.鈥��听
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Noemi鈥檚 advice to a student applying for OPT is, 鈥淕et a lot of information, make sure听you understand听all the deadlines and conditions, and don't be afraid to ask听for help!听Also, I would recommend听that you don鈥檛听listen to friend鈥檚/colleague鈥檚听advice related to听the听OPT application听and听deadlines since each situation is different and sometimes it can lead to confusion.鈥澨齀SSS is here to help support each of our F-1 students who wish to pursue OPT. Students can and should take advantage of鈥�ISSS resources,鈥�workshops, and鈥�advising opportunities鈥痶o understand the application process, reporting requirements, and status maintenance requirements associated with an OPT authorization.鈥��听
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Noemi听wants others who are applying for OPT to know, 鈥淢y OPT experience wasn't conventional.听I had many complications but I'm glad听that听ISSS helped me a lot. In my case, a change/mistake in my enrollment made my deadline to听apply for OPT听move way sooner, which caused听me to听apply听literally less than a week before the deadline听to apply for OPT. Once my OPT was accepted I was very lucky, because I got my听Employment Authorization Document听(EAD)听in less than a month - which from听what I've heard is听not normal either.鈥澨�听
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F-1 students are eligible to apply for post-completion OPT after they have completed all degree requirements or after completion of all coursework (excluding thesis or dissertation credits). The first day that F-1 students can apply for OPT is 90 days before the last day of enrollment in the final semester. The last day F-1 students can apply is 60 days after the last day of enrollment.听
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As students transition from F-1 status based on enrollment to F-1 status based on practical training (OPT and STEM OPT), their听concerns听often听shift as well. ISSS asked听Noemi听what concerns she has as a student on OPT and she stated,听鈥淚'm lucky to be at a company that helps听me听a lot and gives听me听options when听my听OPT expires, which would be my biggest concern.听When you go to career fairs,听don't听be afraid to ask the company about H1B sponsorship and what options you have after your OPT ends. I鈥檝e seen that many people are shy to ask that, but it鈥檚 very important to address and discuss with the company.鈥澨齅any international students in F-1 status have questions about what comes next after their OPT authorization comes to an end.听 Unfortunately, ISSS advisors are not immigration attorneys听so we are limited in the advice we can give to help guide students through this transition.听 Most often, ISSS will direct you to work with your employer or an immigration attorney to discuss your options.听
ISSS is鈥痯roud鈥痮f our students who are engaging in practical training. If you鈥檇 like to be featured in our OPT Spotlight Series鈥痠n the future, please fill听out鈥�