The University of Connecticut School of Business welcomes graduate students from around the world to our campuses. After completing their full-time studies with us, many of these students are eager to obtain full-time employment in local companies after they graduate. We are pleased to play a role in connecting these talented young professionals with exciting opportunities to grow Connecticut’s economy.

Students tell us that some employers express an unwillingness to consider any job applicants who require corporate sponsorship for work authorization. The School of Business believes these employers are overlooking a valuable source of highly qualified, enthusiastic talent, which will place them at a competitive disadvantage in the long run. We encourage employers to consider all of our students to find the best fit in skills and culture for their organizations. However, we have no influence on any organization’s decisions about whom to interview and ultimately hire. It is not our policy to screen prospective employers on the basis of their willingness to hire students who must be sponsored for work authorization. As advocates for our students, sometimes our career counselors may share information about a particular company’s past practices with students to help them use their time efficiently.

All prospective employers, along with students who require work authorization, should be familiar with current policies regarding optional practical training (OPT). Some of our graduate programs at the University of Connecticut School of Business are STEM-designated programs, meaning our international graduates can work for up to 36 months for U.S. firms without needing employer sponsorship. Details can be found at: https://isss.uconn.edu/employment/current-students-opt/. Students may also meet with a representative of the International Students and Scholar Services (ISSS) department at our facilities in Hartford and Stamford.