USA · CHAPTER 17
Finding a jobin the USA.
Software, data, AI, semiconductors, healthcare and finance hire the most international graduates. Internships during your degree and university career fairs are the main route to OPT jobs. Target employers with a history of sponsoring H-1B visas.
Published by Althéa Consulting · Adviser: Harshita Kohli
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Typical starting salaries
| Field | Typical salary / year |
|---|---|
| Software engineering | $90,000–140,000 |
| Data science / analytics | $80,000–120,000 |
| Engineering (other) | $70,000–95,000 |
| Business analyst | $65,000–90,000 |
Where to search
- University career centre and Handshake
- Career fairs each fall and spring
- LinkedIn and company portals
- Public H-1B employer data to identify sponsors
IN DEPTH · TAP A TOPIC TO OPEN
Internships drive job offers
- 01
First semester
Polish your résumé, LinkedIn and GitHub; apply to summer internships from August to December.
- 02
Career fairs
Attend every fair; companies collect résumés for interviews.
- 03
Interview preparation
Coding practice, case interviews or behavioural questions with the STAR method.
- 04
Summer internship (CPT)
Perform well — return offers are the main path to full-time jobs.
- 05
Final year
Apply for full-time roles from August; ask employers about sponsorship policies.
QUICK ANSWERS
Your questions, answered.
No. Check an employer's sponsorship history and ask early in the process. Large tech, consulting and healthcare employers sponsor most often.
WHERE TO GO NEXT
Keep going: the pages that help next.
Each card says what you will find there. Looking for something else? See every page on the site.
USA GUIDE
OPT, STEM OPT & H-1B
OPT for 12 months, 24-month STEM OPT extension, H-1B lottery and the $100,000 fee rules for Indian F-1 graduates in 2026.
USA GUIDE
On-campus work & CPT
F-1 work rules: on-campus jobs up to 20 hours a week, CPT internships, assistantships, and why off-campus work without authorisation is not allowed.
JOBS
Jobs & careers
Thousands of real, open jobs, internships and alternance, with the French words for each job.
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Career support in France
How we help with CVs, interviews, internships and your first job in France.
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FRANCE
Study in France
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