International Student Programs & Services

The Olympic College Career Center can help you with your job search. Create an account in the employment database, then search for job opportunities. Career Center staff will help you find a job that meets your academic interest, schedule, and language ability. They can also assist with resume, cover letter, and interview skills. 

If you are hired, the hiring department hiring will contact our office  with the following information:

• Position
• Potential start date
• Department of employment

The Office of International Education will issue a letter on your behalf to the Social Security Administration, so you can apply for a social security number. Please see 'Applying For A Social Security Number' below.

You may work up to 18 hours per week or no more than 79 hours per month on campus.

NOTE: You must be 'in status' to work on-campus. If you are in the process of a reinstatement, you must wait until it has been approved before you can start working.

Off campus employment is very limited for students in F-1 visa status. However, you may qualify for practical training or severe economic hardship work authorization to work up to 19.5 hours per week while school is in session. During the summer and when school is not in session, students can work up to 40 hours per week. 

Contact our office for more information.

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Students in F-1 visa status who have an unforeseen change in their economic situation such as fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate, a financial sponsor has suffered financial difficulties, medical bills, or other substantial, unexpected expenses, and have maintained status for a full academic year, may potentially be eligible for severe economic hardship work authorization.  Students will also have to show that they made genuine attempts to obtain on-campus employment before seeking the economic hardship work permit, and that the on-campus jobs were either not available or were insufficient.

If approved by U.S. Citizen & Immigration Services, this authorization will allow you to work off-campus for a maximum of 19.5 hours per week while school is in session, andup to 40 hours per week while school is on vacation or break.

Contact our office for more information.

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A social security number is required to work. To apply for a social security number you must have either:

• Work authorization from the Office of International Education for on campus employment, OR
• Received your Employment Authorization Document card from U.S. Citizen & Immigration Services.

The Social Security Administration will not issue a number for any other purposes.

If you have received an on-campus work authorization from our office, take your I-20, passport, Olympic College student ID card, and the letter written on your behalf to the Social Security Administration

If you have received your Employment Authorization Document card from U.S. Citizen & Immigration Services take your card, I-20, and passport to the Social Security Administration to apply for a social security number. In this case, you do not need a letter from our office to apply.

The Social Security Administration is located at:

9594 Mickelberry Rd.
Silverdale, WA 98383

It usually takes approximately two or three weeks to receive your number.

Please check your social security card to make sure your number is valid for employment with U.S. Citizen & Immigration Services authorization. You do not need to apply for a new social security card in this case. If your social security number is not valid for employment, you need to contact our office to apply for a new card valid for employment.

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