ONCAMPUS EMPLOYMENT
Immigration regulations allow F-1 students to work up to 20 hours per
week on-campus during fall and spring terms and up to 40 hours per week
during vacation breaks. However, A&M-Commerce policy only allows graduate
assistants to work up to 20 hours per week and student workers only
up to 19 hours per week. Off-campus employment is illegal unless authorized
by an international student adviser. Unauthorized employment is a serious
offense and grounds for deportation.
Finding On-campus Employment
Graduate assistantships are the most profitable on-campus jobs. See
the GA
website. Student worker positions are also available. For current
student worker positions available on campus, please visit the employment
section of the Human
Resources page. . International students are not eligible for "work-study"
positions. Other opportunities may also be found in: dining services,
library, Memorial Student Center (MSC), recreational center (MRC), children's
learning center, student services and academic departments.
Off-campus employment is allowed for students who have been authorized
for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional
Practical Training(OPT) or Economic Hardship. See the corresponding
sections for further information on these off-campus opportunities.
On-campus Resources for Career Assistance
Many students, American and International, do not realize that a number
of free resources are available to students who want assistance with
career issues. The on-campus Counselling
Center
also provides job search and interview skills information, including opportunities to practice interviewing before meeting with a prospective employer.
Applying for a Social Security Number
Only students who have been offered on-campus employment are eligible for social security number. Do not seek a job offer on-campus for the sole purpose of applying for a social security number and then quit. This takes jobs away from students who truly wish to have employment and intend to work, and may cause on-campus departments and employers to have a negative opinion of international students.
If you have secured authorized on-campus employment on-campus employment please follow the steps below:
- Obtain a letter of offer of employment from the hiring department. See sample letter.
- Go to the ISSO and complete a request form or fill out an online request form at http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/international/forms.asp and provide the ISSO with the original letter of employment. Do not provide a copy.
- You will need to download the SSN application Form SS-5.
- Once the international advisor has issued the letter you will receive an email with further instructions and the location of the nearest social security office.
- Once your social security card has been issued, please provide the Human Resource office with a copy of your social security card.
