Imagine hiring a trained engineer for a short-term project without long-term commitments. CIRAS connects Iowa companies with international engineering graduate students through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs.
“CPT and OPT offer Iowa companies the chance to hire degreed engineers for defined periods, without long-term commitments,” says Gary Mirka, director of graduate education at Iowa State University Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering (IMSE). These students often have in-demand skills and practical experience, filling crucial talent gaps. They also bring a global perspective, multilingual capabilities, and valuable market insights.
When working with this program, companies are not required to handle visa sponsorship or significant work-permit paperwork. Student participants must hold an undergraduate degree related to engineering or manufacturing, and they often have substantial real-world experience.
CPT must be completed before graduation, whereas OPT allows students to work in the United States for up to three years postgraduation, offering flexibility for employers. CIRAS, IMSE, and the Iowa State International Students and Scholars Office handle the necessary paperwork to connect companies with these skilled engineers.
Mirka provides an example: A master’s student in industrial engineering with a mechanical engineering background from a top Indian university completes coursework at Iowa State and works with a company for two semesters. The company interviews the student to ensure a good fit, they then can extend an offer letter, and the student develops a syllabus with learning objectives. After working with the company, the student returns to campus to finish their degree. The company might choose to hire the student for an additional three years through the OPT program.
“CPT and OPT programs present Iowa employers with a valuable talent pool,” says Mirka. “We encourage more companies to explore these opportunities with IMSE.”
For more information, contact Mayra Ramirez at ramirezm@iastate.edu or 515-520-3101.