International student with CPT issue.

So I am an international student who recently signed with a BB for an IB role for Summer 21. I have to file for CPT this coming Spring to obtain work authorization. However, I am a hardcore engineering major (Mechanical/Electrical) and am pursuing no secondary business major whatsoever. Since the CPT dictates that the internship has to be an integral part of the curriculum, I feel there's a possibility my CPT might get denied since there is not really any connection between engineering and IB. Does anyone have past experience in this regard and could shed some light on the CPT process, as well as how my situation is likely to play out when I apply for OPT later (assuming I get a return).

8 Comments
 

Don’t know about OPT as I’m still a student, but CPT is something your school / department controls directly (making it easier and more flexible process-wise). It exists to make things easier for international students. That said, nicely approach the department chair or whoever in charge of it, explain the situation, and see what they say. If you are worried that they will be strict about it, try to find as many common grounds between ur major & Investment banking as possible and explain them well to the supervisor.

 

Do you believe the bank's HR will be willing to write a letter on my behalf explaining the commonalities between my major and IB. As you said, the school department is there to make things easier and it is unlikely they will get strict on this, but in the event they are not being flexible, I feel a letter from my employer would go a long way in convincing them. 

 

def would not say its "unlikely they will get strict." chances are they wont. just ask the department & see what they say. 

 

Yeah it’s super chill, schools literally don’t care as you’re adding to their employment stats — just make sure that you apply for OPT the first day possible as it takes 3-4 months and during that time, you can’t leave the country as they’ll otherwise push you to the back of the line 

 

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