OPT status

[ysawej]

Hello,

I am a graduate student finishing up my thesis. I will be finished
with my thesis by April 21 and graduated, and will have OPT status
beginning in May 2011. I have a job offer from a company, but I would
like to look for more interesting work. So, can I do google summer of
code in OPT status, which will also help me improve my profile?

thanks

[Carol Smith]

Hi there,

Can you please tell us what OPT is? Is that similar to a CPT?

Thanks,
Carol 

[Andres E. Rodriguez Lazo]

Hi All,

Yes you can work with OPT. OPT is Optional Practical Training. It is similar to CPT indeed. However, OPT has no restrictions whatsoever. For example, when someone is on CPT, that means that the CPT is granted for students to work for a specific company. OPT in turn, is a work permit granted usually after completion of their degree (There's also Pre-Completion OPT). However, OPT is requested by filling an application to USCIS [1] (unlike CPT which is granted by the International Student Office of each University). If OPT is approved the student receives a EAD (Employment Authorization Document/Card), usually between 1 and three months after the application. The EAD is in fact a card certifying that any student can work for a year in ANY job related to their degree. Students that wish to work under Post Completion OPT usually apply in the first 2 months of their last semester of class.

So long story short, OPT is simply a work authorization that allows a student to work in any job related to their field of study.

[1]: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

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[Ramesh]

Thanks Andres. But I wouldn't have student status, meaning, I wouldn't have registered for any classes. I will need an affidavit or something from GSoC stating I am working for GSoC to submit to my university. Also, I was wondering if I get an acceptable job offer and it demands me to join early while I am doing GSoC.. Can I join the job and work for GSoC part time, or how does that work out?

Thanks,
ramesh

[Vijay Barve]

Hi

OPT is Optional Practical Training usually after completing the course and CPT is Curricular Practical Training, during your course.

Regards,

Vijay

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[Ramesh]

I need to submit this letter to my university, because, to utilize my OPT period of the first 12 months, I need to inform as soon as I join a company for work. As I am not allowed more than 90 days of unemployment in the first year of OPT.

Thanks,
ramesh

[Andres E. Rodriguez Lazo]

Ramesh,

You are still considered a Student while in OPT because you are a "student during Optional Practical Training." I'm under OPT myself working full time and I have researched this subject extensively and consulted a lawyer. If you are eligible to participate in the GSoC, I'm sure they would be able to provide documentation that you are employed for them. However, your school will not require you to provide any documentation but will just make you fill an OPT Validation Form where you will Input your employer Information and your address for them to report to SEVIS. 

Now, in regards to having two jobs at the same time I'm not sure if that's allowed. What I do know is that during OPT you *CAN* change employers at any time (you just have to report that to your university). You have lots of "Freedom" under OPT in comparison if you were under H1B. 

Cheers

[Timotei Dolean]

Ramesh,
GSoC is considered a "full time job" in terms of time. Of course, it may depends on how much time you spend,
but iirc GSoC, requires about 40 hours a week :)

It is a known fact that you are likely to not be so productive/successful, having 2 "jobs": GSoC + another one. You'll eventually neglect/don't have enough time for all of them

Timo

[William Franklin]

I’ll be doing yesterdays and todays update in one email.

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[arjun sharma]

Please guide me,how can I find the list of topics that are required
for the GSOC 2011,please tell how we can apply for any of these topics
or how will it be possible to join one of the participating
organisations of our interest.

[Dirk Haun]

On Fri, Mar 4, 2011 at 8:32 AM, arjun sharma <arjunpr...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Please guide me,how can I find the list of topics that are required
> for the GSOC 2011,please tell how we can apply for any of these topics
> or how will it be possible to join one of the participating
> organisations of our interest.

Please help yourself to the list of Frequently Asked Questions:

http://www.google-melange.com/document/show/gsoc_program/google/gsoc2011/faqs

Also, it is considered bad etiquette to hijack a discussion thread
started by someone else. If you have a question that is not covered in
the FAQ, then please start a new thread. Thanks.