“Day 1 CPT” simply refers to certain university programs where practical training (Curricular Practical Training) is an integral part of the curriculum from the get-go. Unlike traditional CPT, which usually kicks in after a year of studies, these programs allow immediate work authorization. It’s legal, authorized by our university’s DSOs (Designated School Officials), and ties directly to our studies.
Companies Open to Day 1 CPT
Good news for us international students: many companies are familiar with Day 1 CPT and have processes in place to hire students like us. They value fresh talent and understand how this authorization works.
From what I’ve gathered, you’ll often find success with:
- Tech & Software: Giants like Amazon, Google, Tesla, IBM, Adobe, NVIDIA, ServiceNow, Databricks, Box. They’re often hungry for skilled individuals.
- Finance & Banking: Big names such as Goldman Sachs, Barclays, UBS, J.P. Morgan, Bank of America, Citi Bank, Capital One, and even smaller firms like Harvey & Company LLC.
- Consulting: While it can be a bit mixed, some teams at Deloitte and EY (Ernst & Young) have been known to accept Day 1 CPT. Always worth checking directly!
- Other Industries: Home Depot, Ford Motor Company, CBRE, Charter Communications, Boston Scientific, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, CVS also appear on the list of companies that embrace Day 1 CPT.
Companies often cited as generally not accepting Day 1 CPT include:
- Tech Goliaths: Microsoft, Apple, Meta (Facebook), Oracle, Salesforce, Dell, Cisco, Netflix. Their structured hiring pipelines often prefer OPT or H-1B candidates.
- Consulting: Accenture.
- Pharma & Biotech: Eli Lilly and Company, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson.
- Other Large Corporations: General Electric (GE), Applied Materials, C3 AI, NTT Data Americas, Inc.
Can You Work for a Small Company with Day 1 CPT?
Absolutely! In many cases, small to medium-sized companies, including startups, can be excellent options for Day 1 CPT students. Here’s why:
- Flexibility and Agility: Smaller companies often have less bureaucratic hurdles and more flexible hiring practices. Decision-making can be quicker, and they may be more open to exploring different work authorization options if they find a good talent fit.
- Direct Impact: In a smaller setting, your contributions can be more immediately visible and impactful, providing invaluable experience.
- Need for Talent: Startups and growing businesses are constantly on the lookout for skilled individuals. If you possess the right expertise, they might be more willing to understand and facilitate your Day 1 CPT status.
- Reduced Sponsorship Burden: For smaller companies, Day 1 CPT presents an attractive option as it does not require them to go through complex and expensive visa sponsorship processes like the H-1B lottery. The CPT authorization is handled by your university.