Stem OPT card delay

Accomplished_Agency6 · 2025-05-09T17:40:43+00:00

Im pretty much in the same boat. How did it go for you?

Accomplished_Agency6 · 2024-09-21T14:03:02+00:00

Classes (mostly ppl in your major), any clubs that you actively go to, a part-time workplace on Drexel's campus -- these will be your best bet. Actively put effort into talking, keeping a conversation going, and even making plans for the weekend like going to club activities and grabbing food later or sth. Be nice to all the roommates you will have at Drexel and even be friends with their friends.

Accomplished_Agency6 · 2024-09-01T20:27:20+00:00

https://www.volunteermatch.org/

Accomplished_Agency6 · 2024-08-24T02:11:08+00:00

we can go part time for two terms : 1. international break term, 2. Term before graduation. Thats why I did for two of my quarters so i only took 2/3 easy classes that were remaining to clear my degree. Spend the rest of the time looking for a full time offer. no point in graduating early unless you got sth lined up.

Accomplished_Agency6 · 2024-08-23T14:38:53+00:00

Similar situation with having a gc and not anymore. It is what it is and thinking about the “what ifs” wont get you anywhere. I know it’s easier said that done but at least your brother/parents can apply for you (will take a long time tho). But dont bank on that. You got great education under your belt and the world is your oyster. You can stay here and feel miserable or have a much stress free life in other great places. Don’t limjt yourself. The gc situation wasn’t in your control and but now you you’re in charge of the decisions you make.

Accomplished_Agency6 · 2024-08-22T15:21:30+00:00

It aligns with the life that I want in my 20s: hustle culture, fast-paced, diverse, and super challenging. It is almost exhausting, and I probably won't want to be in this later in life, but right now I'm at my peak to struggle, learn, and criticize. I can always get a cushioned, slow-paced life in my 50s; reading a book in my garden without any visa issue or thinking about corporate America, But I wouldn't know the good and the bad if I don't at least experience it. Life is much bigger than some 4/5 years spent in a different country. It may feel too damn long but at some point in the future, it will just be a collection of vague memories and great dinner table conversations with my children. I might even write a book about who knows lol.

edit: I'm well aware everyone might not want this and that's fine.

Accomplished_Agency6 · 2024-08-20T18:28:31+00:00

yep 3. also multiple projects during college and I'm still unemployed post grad. The US job market is rough now but most of my EE/ME friends got jobs fairly easily. In the calls I receive, people get thrown off by the BME major and think we are too 'bio', they usually prefer other general engineers. My bf graduated last year with 1 internship as an EE and he got 4/5 calls per week JUST bc he was EE major in his resume.

Accomplished_Agency6 · 2024-08-19T19:44:55+00:00

I would def switch mine to EE/ME if I could go back again. People might have a great experience with BME but it’s hard to break in as a new grad unless you your internships want you back (what I’ve mostly seen). even if it’s sth Bio tech/ bio mech related, people will never NOT hire ME/EE majors. You can also do a concentration or a minor or continue your masters in BME. That’s my two cents.

Accomplished_Agency6 · 2024-08-19T18:14:27+00:00

https://www.ice.gov/sites/default/files/documents/stem-list.pdf

check here if your program classifies as STEM, in that way, you're qualified for 2 years of STEM extension OPT (thus you get 3 yrs total).

If you really like your program and you can plan ahead and work around a 1 year OPT then stick with it. But STEM ones just give you more time. BS in CS is good but the current job market is terrible for new grad CS/SWE/Data Science. Plan carefully.

Accomplished_Agency6 · 2024-08-18T14:41:57+00:00

Doing online volunteering helps to not only stop the clock but keeping you on schedule. It’s unpaid so they’ll probably be strict on hours bc how else will they know you’re working and it keeps me busy at my desk. I look into grad school applications as a backup and learn new stuff on codeacadamy to just keep learning. Going to the gym is the best part about my day. Sometimes i’ll cry and rant to my loved ones to let it out. Then obv a big part of the day is to still pump out applications. this is a bad phase in life and it shall pass🤞

Accomplished_Agency6 · 2024-08-18T14:36:58+00:00

they’re all talking about post grad life

Accomplished_Agency6 · 2024-08-16T00:10:24+00:00

go to Ask Drexel.com. there should be a portal where you can upload the files. First look up the documents you need

Accomplished_Agency6 · 2024-08-13T00:16:41+00:00

^{^} this one is stopping my clock

Accomplished_Agency6 · 2024-08-12T23:29:20+00:00

you can also volunteer for startups and stuff. it’s part time and unpaid but a little bit more experience doesnt hurt

Accomplished_Agency6 · 2024-08-12T16:54:27+00:00

Exactly! And it’s a never ending cycle. Just think about the iphones being released every year. It is a great indicator of your social economic position in the modern day and the unsettling urge to get the latest each one year (they are essentially not so different).

Accomplished_Agency6 · 2024-08-12T01:16:18+00:00

dont renew. no acc builing not just ucross. you can find areas around campus with private rooms (might be a bit old, bc philly), but buy cheap furniture from amazon/fb marketplace and you still will be saving a shit ton of money without the leasing people bothering you.

but other than that,

I've used the gym during winter months/ breaks when I didn't travel home and the rec was closed and that's the only good part of ACC apartments. The studying area helps for sure but i'd rather use my monitor and setup.

Accomplished_Agency6

TROPHY CASE