After earning her master’s degree in arts management from Columbia in May 2025, Qianyi Wang has been juggling multiple jobs to cover living expenses.

She is also working to remain in compliance with Optional Practical Training, the temporary work authorization that allows international graduates to work in the United States under an F-1 visa.

While OPT permits Wang to work after graduation, the authorization is time-limited and governed by strict employment rules, shaping how she approaches job opportunities and financial stability in the months after leaving Columbia.

Wang’s experience reflects a broader challenge facing international graduates across the U.S. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council’s 2024 Corporate Recruiters Survey, only 16% of U.S. employers had definite plans to hire international candidates in 2024 — down from 40% the year before.

While colleges recruit students from around the world, many F-1 visa holders encounter limited job opportunities after graduation due to employers’ reluctance to sponsor work visas once temporary authorizations like OPT expire.

TRANSCRIPT:

00:00:08:03 – 00:00:18:26

Oh, wait. Can I look at a camera? Or no? No. Okay.

00:00:18:28 – 00:00:35:06

Ni hao wo de mingzi shi Wang Qianyi. I’m 23 years old now, and I’m from China, Shenzhen.

00:00:35:08 – 00:01:16:06

I studied my bachelor degree in China, Beijing, and my major is theater management. After that, I took my master’s here in the U.S., and my major is in arts management. Oh, yeah. My school is Columbia College Chicago. From a young age, I always wanted to study abroad, but it doesn’t matter where, which country. I just want to go outside to see the world and to experience more and see more beautiful places.

00:01:16:08 – 00:01:45:12

And after I go to my college, my undergrad, I thought that would just be a dream from a young age. But it’s actually happened because my undergrad school has a program that collaborated with Columbia College. So I got here, and I tried, and I got in. So I am here.

00:01:45:15 – 00:02:27:04

So OPT, I think the full name is Optional Practical Training after school, it can be either one year or three years, based on the major. So my major it’s belonging to Arts Field, so it’s one year OPT. I’m going to Navy Pier for my next job’s orientation. I’m officially working, holding two jobs, one at Mayfair Arts Center as an arts administrator handling fundraising, educational programs and marketing development stuff because it’s a nonprofit.

00:02:27:07 – 00:02:57:20

And another one is at guest services at Salt Shed, which is a music venue. And that one’s a lot of fun because it’s different music and you can watch shows for free. Yeah, watching shows and getting paid, which is nice. Always, always, never feel safe of the early employment situation. So that’s why I try to fill myself with a lot of different jobs.

00:02:57:20 – 00:03:07:13

So I don’t need to depend on one. For my past self, I will say, you will be fine and don’t worry too much. It’s actually not that hard, not that difficult than you thought. There’s always ways that you can try. There’s always doors open for you.

Copy edited by Emma Jolly