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 provides free testing for students who need help determining what careers suit them best. Also, the on-campus Career Services 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.