The Moment You Decide to Move

“It doesn’t matter how long you’ve waited. What matters is when you move.”

I want to share a story I hear way too often — a story that might sound familiar.

An international student gets an amazing internship offer.
But no one told them about the 90-day unemployment rule on OPT.
By the time they figure it out, it's too late. The offer’s gone.

Another student has a chance at a job that could sponsor an H-1B.
But their employer doesn’t understand STEM OPT or how to write the Training Plan.
The company pulls out — not because the student wasn’t qualified, but because the visa process seemed “too risky.”

Or a student graduates with a major they love, only to find out that it doesn’t align with any job that qualifies for a work visa.

💥 Every single time, I hear the same thing:

“I wish I had found this out sooner.”

The truth is, most international students don’t know what they don’t know. And the system makes it nearly impossible to figure it out on your own.

Deadlines are missed. Options are limited. And sometimes, the door closes before you even knew it was open.

But it doesn't have to be that way.

That’s exactly why I’m launching the Ask A DSO Monthly Training Series — a free monthly webinar that breaks down the most important information international students need before it’s too late.

These aren’t your typical presentations. I don’t believe in fluff. I believe in giving you clear, actionable, real-world answers — and showing you how to actually use them.

Whether you’re a brand-new student still unpacking your suitcase or a graduating senior trying to navigate OPT and job offers, this series is designed to help you:

✅ Avoid costly visa mistakes
✅ Align your major with a long-term career strategy
✅ Make confident choices about OPT, CPT, STEM OPT, and beyond
✅ Understand how immigration law intersects with your job search
✅ Build a real future in the U.S. — not just survive semester to semester

Upcoming sessions include:

🛑 F-1 Visa Mistakes That Could Cost You Everything (and How to Avoid Them)
Learn the most common status violations, what really counts as "unauthorized employment," and what to do if something goes wrong.

🧭 Your U.S. Career Roadmap: Aligning Your Major, Job & Visa Strategy
Too many students pick majors without realizing how it affects their future visa options. We’ll walk through real examples of how to reverse-engineer your career from your long-term goals.

🔬 Demystifying STEM OPT & the Employer Training Plan (Form I-983)
You’ll learn how to spot a qualified STEM degree, how to guide your employer through the form, and how to avoid red flags that lead to denials.

Why Now?

Because the most successful students aren’t the ones with the highest GPAs or fanciest resumes.

They’re the ones who act early.

They ask questions before things go wrong. They learn the rules of the game before they start playing. They make small, strategic moves that create big opportunities later.

And most importantly — they don’t wait for someone to hand them a plan. They go out and build one.

That’s what this training series is here to help you do.

No catches. No cost. Just clarity.

If you’re already getting this newsletter, you're on the list — no need to sign up again. 💌

Just keep an eye on your inbox for the upcoming session dates, Zoom links, and free downloads.

I’ll send everything you need straight to you. Think of this as your monthly checkpoint — a moment to step out of the confusion, breathe, and take real steps forward.

I’d love your input!

Have an idea for a topic you'd like to see in a future webinar? Hit reply and let me know.

This series is for you — and your voice matters. If there's something that’s confusing, frustrating, or just plain mysterious about F-1 rules, work authorization, or life after graduation… I want to hear about it.

Let’s build a support system that actually supports you — before the panic sets in.

📅 So wherever you are on your journey —
the time to take action is now.

No more waiting for the “right” moment. No more crossing your fingers and hoping things work out. Let’s move forward together.

I’ll see you soon.

-Josh