Wharton attracts top MBA talent from over 70 countries, with international students comprising more than 30% of each class. Hiring international MBA students offers U.S. employers access to a highly skilled, globally minded talent pool with diverse perspectives, cross-cultural fluency, and experience navigating complex business environments. These candidates often bring unique insights into international markets, multilingual abilities, and a strong work ethic honed through the challenges of studying and working abroad. By hiring international MBAs, companies can enhance their innovation, expand their global reach, and build more inclusive teams that reflect today’s interconnected world.
Employers can reach international students through all of the on-campus and off-campus recruiting opportunities provided by MBA Career Management. In addition, MBA Career Management supports employers as they work with international students whom they plan to hire full-time after graduation in the U.S. or abroad. As a reminder, it is always free to post on the Wharton CareerPath Job Board.
Please view our Recruiting Calendar here.
International Student Clubs and Conferences
Within Wharton, more than 10 international clubs — including the Middle East/North Africa Club (MENA), Europa, Asia Club, India Club, and Latin American Student Association — provide support to students from specific cultural backgrounds who host a variety of educational, professional, and social events.
Internship Hiring
Students with an F-1 status qualify for summer employment through Curricular Practical Training (CPT), while those students with a J-1 status qualify for Academic Training (AT). Work authorization is issued by Wharton, so hiring an international student for a summer internship requires no additional paperwork on the company side.
Full-Time Hiring
Following graduation, students with F-1 visas may begin work as full-time employees in the U.S. for up to 12 months through Optional Practical Training (OPT). Students with J-1 visas can work full-time for up to 18 months of Academic Training (AT). Both work options do not require any interaction with the U.S. government or cost to the employer.
International students at Wharton pursuing certain MBA majors are eligible for the STEM OPT extension, which provides an additional 24 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) following their initial 12 months, for a total of 36 months of post-completion OPT.
Long-Term Hiring
Should you choose to convert these workers to long-term hires at your company, you will need to work with an immigration lawyer to begin the H-1B visa process.