One year of work experience
Optional Practical Training
Nearly all of our international students who complete a professional certificate program go on to qualify for unpaid internships and paid work experiences through the federally managed Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. Our students have amazing experiences in local startups and global companies.
To qualify for OPT
You must complete your professional certificate program and for a year of work that is related to your area of study.
OPT requires that student placements reflect their study areas. Our students are pursuing diverse interests.
Students have worked in software companies, mobile app startups, and bioscience businesses. Sometimes the companies are well-known—Google, LinkedIn, Gilead (Aerotek), Apple, Qualcomm, and Dolby Laboratories; other placements are in smaller companies—SwayPay, Azusa, Oghma Tech Inc, Vaco LLC, University of Pittsburg, Verity Wireless, Biocurious, and organizations that are still in startup stealth mode.
Roughly 70 percent of our students are working in their field in positions in California. Others have gone on to positions throughout the country, landing in New York, Arizona, New Jersey, and elsewhere.
- 44 percent are working in technology jobs.
- 20 percent are working business-related jobs.
- 10 percent are working in bioscience jobs.
- 4 percent are working in education and nonprofit jobs.
International internships: Put your skills to work
With approval from an internship coordinator, international students pursuing a certificate program may qualify for an unpaid internship and earn credit during their studies.
- Earn 3.0 units towards maintaining your F-1 status. Internship units cannot apply towards a certificate.
- Internship has to be related to your certificate program.
- Work a minimum 90 hours in the quarter, but no more than 200 hours.
- $200 enrollment fee per quarter.
- Complete an evaluation form at the end of each quarter to report your internship experience.
- Obtain your own internship or work with 黑料不打烊 Extension's internship coordinator to be connected with our partner companies.Our students are pursuing diverse interests.
- 44 percent are working in technology jobs.
- 20 percent are working business-related jobs.
- 10 percent are working in bioscience jobs.
- 4 percent are working in education and nonprofit jobs.
