Pratik Tolani鈥痠s a CU Boulder graduate鈥痺ho鈥痠s currently鈥痝aining experience while鈥痮n听Post-Completion听Optional听Practical听Training (OPT). ISSS reached out to听Pratik听to ask about the type of training he is doing and how鈥痯ost-completion鈥疧PT has helped him听gain practical training in his听major field of study (Mechanical听Engineering).鈥�疘SSS is鈥痚xcited听to spotlight听Pratik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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Pratik听is听working as a听Technical Analyst at听听which听creates successful energy management programs and effective IT solutions for utilities and their partners.听When asked about the type of projects听Pratik听is working on, he said, 鈥淚 am听working closely with team members who manage multiple utility programs like learning the details of the听Demand Response听program integrations and interactions with the grid. Additionally, I am working with the team on reporting and visualizations using听RStudio听(a data analysis tool)听to analyze and improve program functionality and outcomes. My duties directly utilize the skills and knowledge I acquired from my coursework and degree in renewable energy.鈥澨�听
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Before applying for OPT,听Pratik听wishes听he听knew听about the power of听networking. Pratik says that he gained a lot from听informational Interviews, networking听on LinkedIn, conferences,听and guidance from professionals听in听his听field as opposed to just online applications as听they are听screened by听applicant tracking systems.听Pratik encourages students to听instead aim for the unadvertised hidden jobs.听
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When seeking OPT authorization and applying for his听current position,听Pratik听stated, 鈥淚t was听definitely smoother than I听expected.听I applied听for positions online听and emailed professionals from the company. I also听set up an听informational听interview call with the company's CEO to get the gist of the听company听(always have thoughtful and unique questions ready for any interview).听After the call with the CEO, I had听interviews with 2-3 employees from the company to check for cultural/skill fit听that听eventually led听to an offer letter.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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Pratik鈥檚听advice to a student applying for OPT is, 鈥�Research your industry as there are certain websites that are more effective for getting a job and focus on those. I will not deny the difficulty we face as international students, but it's all worth it in the end.鈥� ISSS 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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Pratik听wants others who are applying for OPT to, 鈥�Strive for progress not perfection. Always challenge yourself for you will be surprised by what you can achieve through sheer determination and hard work.鈥澨鼺urthermore, Pratik reminds students that OPT is听a very good chance to gain practical experience through interaction with industry leaders and experts in your field. Make the most of it!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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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�