How to Get Internships in The USA for International Students

Internships in the United States for international students are a dream come true for so many young professionals who are starting.

Imagine just starting your career as an international student and you have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the world’s economic capital where you have the chance to intern with the best of companies in the world such as Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and the United Nations.

Awesome right? That is the least to say.

You don’t only have an opportunity to travel to the United States but also to work in the best of global firms after graduation.

Here is an easy guide to help you on how to get internships in the USA for international students.

Eligibility and Requirements

I am sure you want this because of the numerous benefits it will have in your future.

It is like winning a lottery, but how do you go about it?

Let us get started.

1. J-1 Visa Program

As an international student and a non-citizen of the United States, you need a visa to access the United States for any reason, whether education or not.

The J-1 Exchange Visitor visa is a pathway for international students to travel to the United States to gain practical experience and knowledge in their preferred profession in the United States.

It is a visa category for the exchange of ideas to enable them to work in their fields in a company, and in return, the company gains a global perspective.

However, this visa type is not available in every discipline.

Here is a list of qualifying fields for a J-1 exchange visitor visa for non-immigrants

To apply for a J-1 Visa, visit the US Embassy or consulate website

2. The J-1 Visa subcategories

The J-1 visa has different categories, which depend on the nature of the work.

Choosing the right category is important to increase the chances of getting your visa.

The category chosen should depend on the sponsoring host organization and the nature of work, such as

J-1 Internship Visa

This is strictly for students who are currently and fully pursuing a degree in credible and reputable institutions outside the United States.

This category falls under the Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

J-1 Training Visa

This is for young professionals who want to undergo a short training in the United States.

These professionals must be graduates of reputable institutions or certification programs outside the United States, and they must possess at least one year of working experience in a professional field.

This category falls under the Optional Practical Training (OPT).

J-1 Camp Counselor Visa

This is strictly for individuals who are at least 18 years old (adults) and want to pursue a US summer camp program.

The individuals must be proficient in the English Language

J-1 Summer Work Travel Visa

This is strictly for individuals who want to travel and work in the States during their summer holidays and return to their home country after their school summer break.

J-1 Teachers Visa

This is strictly for professionals in the teaching profession who want to teach in the States as a part of an exchange program.

For a J-1 Internship and Training visa category, there are industries one can work with to the eligible for these visa categories.

These industries are

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing
Arts and Culture
Construction and building
Education, counseling, library sciences, social services, and social sciences
Communication, information, media
Business, commerce, finance, management
Hospitalism, tourism
Public administration and law
The sciences, engineering, architecture, mathematics, industrial occupation

How to Find Internship Programs in the USA for International Students

We are sure you do understand the different types of internships and the eligible sectors.

Your next question will be how to find the right internship for you so you can fulfill your dream on time.

You can search here to also find the best global intern opportunities

Well, here are the best places and ways to find a credible internship program in the United States for international students.

1. Companies pages:

Most global companies have social media handles on platforms such as LinkedIn, and they publish job openings on these platforms, most especially indeed, LinkedIn and Glassdoor.

If you have a company at heart, check their social media pages and websites for any opening that might be a right fit for you.

2. University Career Services

You can meet with your course advisor, head of department, or project supervisor to guide you on how to accelerate in your profession.

These individuals have access to global organisations and companies that offer internships.

3. Networking

Humans and not robots or inanimate objects control the world.

The internship opportunity you so desire is in the hands of someone, either a hiring manager or CEO.

To access this opportunity available to the right networking, you have to attend conferences, seminars, and workshops, send cold emails, etc.

4. Recruitment Agencies

Perhaps, if our list was to be in an order of importance, recruitment agencies would have come next right after networking.

Some recruitment agencies are the sole recruiters for some international firms.

This option is not free unlike other options but is faster and easier.

5. Professional Associations

There are some people who get to find out about opportunities in their firms and industries first before others, and these individuals share it within their professional bodies in order to elevate members of the body.

Some of these professional associations come with a cost, either a member registration fee or an annual subscription fee.

Popular Internship Programs for International Students in the USA

1. Microsoft Internship Program
Google Internship Program
IBM Internship Program
United Nations Internship Program
Apple Internship Program
Amazon Internship Program
Facebook Internship Program
Google summer code
IBM Extreme Blue Internship
Intel Internship Program
Microsoft Aspire Internship Program
Oracle Internship Program
Palantir Internship Program
Salesforce Internship Program
JPMorgan Chase Internship Program
Goldman Sachs Internship Program
Brain & Company Internship Program
McKinsey Internship Program
Duke Energy Internship Program
ExxonMobil Internship Program
Unilever Internship Program
Nestle Internship Program
American Red Cross Internship

How to Apply for Internship Programs for International Students in USA

The last thing to do is to apply for an internship when you have chosen your preferred field and global firm to work within any of the categories of a J-1 visa.

Here are the necessary steps to take

Preparation

You have to compile and update your CV with relevant certifications, skills, degrees, and experience.

When you are done updating your CV, you need to brush up on your English-speaking skills and network with relevant stakeholders and peers in your field.

Apply for Internship and Interview

There are various means to find an internship, as we earlier discussed.

If you choose to do it yourself using social media platforms such as WayUp, Glassdoor, Linkedin, Indeed, or Idealist, you have to submit your application to the authorized channel.

Your application should contain your CV, application letter, purpose of intent, cover letter, and any required supporting documents.

After your application, you will likely be called for an interview to demonstrate you are the right fit for the role.

Internship Accepted

After being accepted for the internship, the next step is to apply for a J-1 visa using your details and the details of the host organisation that granted you an internship.

You will need a passport and proof of funds to cover your living expenses, as well as pay for visa processing fees.