Graduating a management program and entering the workforce is an exciting time, with many opportunities for professional growth ahead of you. At the same time, your journey may be shaped by the practicalities of work authorization. The STEM OPT extension can be a great solution if you’re an international student looking to stay in the US.
Thinking about your work authorization isn’t about limiting your ambition. It’s about finding the best possible path for you to follow. So if you’re an international student graduating from the Master of Science in Management, the STEM OPT extension may give you more options than you first realize. The scheme enables eligible grads to extend Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the US, giving you additional time to build experience, develop your leadership capabilities and forge an early career.
What is the STEM OPT extension?
A 24-month extension that allows eligible international students to work in the US after completing their degree.
Is the MS in Management eligible for STEM OPT?
Yes. IENYC’s MS in Management is STEM-designated and qualifies eligible graduates for the extension.
Who can apply for STEM OPT?
International students on F-1 visas who have completed a STEM-designated degree and meet OPT requirements.
Why is STEM OPT valuable for early-career professionals?
It provides additional time to gain experience, build credibility and grow within US-based organizations.
IENYC’s MS in Management has been designated as a STEM course eligible for STEM OPT. That means that, while it’s an 11-month program, your US education can continue long past graduation and into the workplace.
The MS in Management is tailored for recent graduates of all academic disciplines. So that means you’ll gain a solid foundation in management, even if you don’t have prior business education. And the connection to STEM? The MS in Management will bring you up to speed as a talented data analyst, financial reporter and management accountant, using STEM disciplines to enhance your decision-making skills.
While management used to center on strategy, coordination and people leadership, it now sits much closer to data, systems and technology to make organizations and their people more efficient and impactful.
Today’s managers aren’t solely expected to lead teams; they’re also counted on to use complex information to make evidence-based decisions.
The STEM OPT extension was created to help the US retain international top talent in STEM fields.
Essentially, if you’re an F-1 STEM student, you can apply for a 24-month extension of your OPT allowing you to stay in the US for another two years after you graduate. The Department of Homeland Security decides which programs gain the STEM designation, and the terms of the extension require your training to relate directly to what you’ve studied.
It’s no guarantee you’ll be granted STEM OPT but it’s a valuable and worthwhile opportunity to look into.
Early career experience isn’t just about securing a job. It’s about having enough time to learn, adapt and grow within an organization. The STEM OPT extension recognizes that reality by giving early grads more time to move beyond short-term roles and delve into an organization and develop further.
These additional 24 months can be pivotal: in practice, the longer you stay at an organization, the more time you’ll have to build credibility, trust and meaningful experience. And often, that opens the door to more opportunities.
To qualify for the 24-month extension through STEM OPT, you’ll need to:
Understanding the timelines for your application, particularly when to apply, is an important part of planning ahead. You can submit the Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, up to 90 days before your current OPT employment authorization expires, and within 60 days of your designated school official (DSO) entering the recommendation for OPT into your record.
STEM OPT eligibility can also apply at different academic levels. If you secured the STEM OPT through your bachelor’s and are looking to extend it, the MS in Management could mean you’re eligible for an additional 24-month STEM OPT extension.
As STEM OPT emphasizes structured learning and development, employers must meet specific criteria. It’s worth getting to grips with what’s needed ahead of making any applications.
With the MS in Management taking place in the heart of New York City’s business hub, you’re immersed in one of the world’s most dynamic business ecosystems.
New York is home to plenty of global companies and fast-growing startups across finance, technology, consulting, media and more. As an early careers management graduate, you’ll benefit from exploring different organizational environments before committing to a long-term path.
In your day-to-day on the program you’ll be exposed to complex, real-world business challenges and learn to manage across time zones, cultures and approaches; the reality modern managers face. If you’re building experience as part of your STEM OPT, New York City’s backdrop as a global business hub will support your career growth and long-term objectives.
Navigating your post-graduation career can be daunting, but understanding your options and how to make the most of the STEM OPT extension will make your transition from your early career to long-term development easier.
For international students of the MS in Management, STEM OPT offers you more than additional time in the US workforce. It provides a space to apply what you’ve learned, develop your professional trajectory in line with your specific goals and build the foundations for a rewarding international career. If you’re looking to bridge STEM with business, check out IENYC’s MS in Management.
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