Feeling Stuck After Graduation? You’re Not Alone - Read this

Hey there!

If you’ve been feeling paralyzed lately, frozen in front of job boards, second-guessing every resume update, and wondering if any of this will actually work out, you are not alone.

Graduating as an international student on an F-1 visa brings a special kind of pressure. The job market feels brutal. Your OPT clock is ticking. You're no longer eligible for campus roles. You might be fielding advice from friends who signed with consultancies - while you’re still figuring out what comes next.

We want to say this clearly: you’re not behind. And you’re not failing. This is a shared experience - one almost every international student faces after graduation.

Let’s talk about it, honestly – and offer you a way forward.

The Job Market Feels Impossible But You’re Still In This

Let’s be real. Some days it feels like the whole world is shouting, “There are no jobs!” And on top of that, you’re trying to navigate AI-edited resumes, applicant portals, and the dreaded “Do you now or in the future require sponsorship?” checkbox.

We’ve been there - sitting through job applications for hours…

• Tweaking the resume one more time

• Cross-checking every bullet point with the job description

• Generating custom cover letters

• Only to land on a page that asks you to manually re-type everything again

• And still…no response. Or worse - a straight-up rejection.

But let us remind you: rejection is just proof that you’re trying. What’s worse is not applying at all.

Need Some Extra Guidance? We’ve Got You.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or just don’t know where to go from here - we offer 30-minute mentorship calls with international student experts who’ve been exactly where you are.

👉 Book a 1:1 mentorship call here.

Sometimes, all it takes is one good conversation to shift your momentum.

This Feeling? It’s Called Application Paralysis

You’re not lazy. You’re overwhelmed. And that’s understandable.

After graduation, the safety nets disappear: no more student services, no more campus job access, and no automatic structure to guide your days. But here’s what we want to say: don’t become the person who also doesn’t give yourself a chance.

You paid a high tuition. You came here on a dream - often funded by loans or years of family savings. You owe it to yourself to try.

Every application, even the ones that end in silence, builds resilience. And every “no” brings you one step closer to the “yes” that will change everything.

If You’re Watching the OPT Clock Tick Down…

You’re not out of time. Not yet.

Remember, the 90-day unemployment rule starts from your OPT start date, not your graduation. And any work related to your degree counts - paid or unpaid, part-time or full-time.

Whether that’s:

• A short-term freelance project

• Volunteering for a professor’s research

• Contract work through a staffing agency

…it still keeps you in status. And more importantly, it keeps you moving forward.

Should You Join a Consultancy?

It’s okay to explore this route - but it’s also okay to ask questions.

Some staffing companies are great, offering real client projects and legit visa support. Others lock you into shady contracts or unpaid bench periods. If you’re feeling like this is your only option - it’s not. Ask for contracts up front. Talk to alumni. Know what you’re signing before you sign it. And never forget: you still have time and skills worth betting on.

Can You Start Your Own Company?

If you're on OPT or STEM OPT and struggling to find a job, one legal option to stop the unemployment clock is to start your own company. As long as your business is directly related to your degree and meets USCIS criteria - such as having a registered entity, a valid EIN, and offering structured work - you can count self-employment as valid OPT activity. You'll need to work full-time, maintain proper records (like offer letters or pay stubs), and report your employment through SEVP Portal. It’s smart to speak with a DSO or immigration attorney before launching to make sure everything’s compliant.

Need a resume template that will help you land more interviews? We got you.

Roam’s FREE ATS-optimized resume template is designed to help your application get past filters and into human hands. Just plug in your info and start applying with confidence!

Click here to access it.

Financial Stress Is Real - But So Is Your Strength

Rent is due. Groceries aren’t cheap. You’re budgeting down to the dollar while managing job search stress and visa deadlines.

We see you.

And we’ll say it again: this phase is temporary. You are not alone in this, and you are not the first international student to feel this way. But you can be one of the many who make it through.

Take care of your mental health. Apply to roles that actually fit your skills. Say yes to contract gigs that give you experience. And keep believing in your ability to turn things around.

Not a graduated international student? Fill out this quick survey so we can send you tailored content based on where you’re at in your international student journey.

When It Feels Like No One Else Is Giving You a Chance…

Don’t also be the one who doesn’t give yourself a chance.

You’ve already taken a bold step by studying in another country. This is just one more hurdle - and we know you have what it takes to overcome it. Keep going. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to take one more step forward today - remember that all it takes in one successful offer, then the rejections won’t matter.

You’ve got this. And we’ve got you.

Best,

The Roam Growth Team 🧡