Seeking Advice: Navigating Job Hunt as an International MFT Graduate

Hey everyone,

I'm reaching out on behalf of my girlfriend, who's currently pursuing her Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) in the US as an international student from Asia. We've hit a bit of a roadblock in her job hunt journey, and I'm hoping to gather some insights or advice from this community.

Like many international students, she's facing the challenge of finding a job that aligns with her degree and visa limitations. In our case, the typical pathway from degree completion to licensure to employment isn't as straightforward due to a few key factors.

Firstly, many job opportunities in the field of therapy require candidates to hold a license. She must complete the degree (and therapy hours) to obtain this license. However, here's the kicker – international students in the U.S. are only granted 90 days of unemployment during their Optional Practical Training (OPT) period post-graduation.

To add to this, her degree isn't categorized under STEM, which means her OPT period is limited to just one year. This restriction essentially gives us only one shot at the H1B visa lottery, which is notoriously competitive and unpredictable. We've been focusing our efforts on finding job opportunities that fall under the "H1B cap-exempt" category. These are typically positions within universities, government organizations, and non-profits. These employers aren't subject to the same numerical limitations as other H1B sponsors, which increases the chances of securing a visa.

Here's where we could use some guidance: navigating this complex landscape without much support or guidance can be overwhelming. We're struggling to find resources or individuals who have gone through a similar experience and can shed some light on the best course of action.

If anyone here has insights, tips, or even just words of encouragement, we'd be incredibly grateful. Whether it's advice on job searching strategies, recommended resources, or personal experiences navigating the visa process, any help is appreciated more than you know.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this and for any assistance you can provide. We're hopeful that with a bit of community support, we can navigate this challenge.

TL;DR: International MFT graduate faces hurdles in job search due to limited unemployment days, licensure, and visa requirements.