Interstride Career Platform for CSP International Students

Using Interstride: A Career Planning Platform for International Students at CSP

Concordia University, St. Paul (CSP) offers Indian students access to Interstride, a career planning platform built specifically for international students. It supports students through the complexities of the U.S. job market, offering tools to explore employment options, track visa-friendly employers, and prepare for long-term professional goals.

1. What is Interstride?

Interstride is an online career development platform focused on the needs of international students in the United States. It combines data analytics, employer tracking, immigration resources, and job search tools into a single platform.

All enrolled CSP international students receive access to Interstride as part of their student support system.

2. Key Features of Interstride

Employer Insights

  • Discover companies that have historically sponsored H-1B visas

  • Filter employers by industry, location, job function, and sponsorship history

  • Evaluate the likelihood of visa sponsorship before applying

OPT and H-1B Tracking

  • Monitor your post-study work eligibility window

  • Set reminders for important OPT application and extension deadlines

  • Access timelines for STEM OPT and H-1B transitions

  • Access a curated list of jobs suitable for international students

  • Search openings that align with your degree program and visa status

  • Connect with employers who understand immigration processes

Immigration Resources

  • Step-by-step visa and work authorization guides

  • Updates on F-1, OPT, STEM OPT, and H-1B visa regulations

  • Legal webinars and expert sessions hosted on the platform

Career Preparation Tools

  • Résumé templates aligned with U.S. standards

  • Interview preparation modules specific to international candidates

  • Guidance on cultural expectations in U.S. workplaces

3. Why Interstride Is Important for Indian Students at CSP

International students face several challenges while preparing for a career in the U.S. These include understanding work authorization rules, identifying supportive employers, and managing timelines for OPT and H-1B.

Interstride solves this by offering:

  • Transparency around visa-friendly companies

  • A structured job search approach tailored to student visa holders

  • Tools to bridge the gap between education and employment in the U.S.

Students in STEM programs at CSP (e.g., Data Analytics, Computer Science) benefit particularly from the extended 3-year OPT window. Interstride helps make the most of this time by highlighting employers who are open to long-term sponsorship.

4. How to Access Interstride at CSP

  1. You will receive login access after enrollment

  2. Use your CSP email ID to activate your account

  3. Log in regularly to stay updated with job postings and visa news

  4. Book career planning sessions through CSP’s Career Development Center

5. Best Practices for Using Interstride

  • Begin using the platform early in your program, not just near graduation

  • Shortlist potential H-1B employers before starting your OPT job search

  • Use the resume and interview tools to meet U.S. standards

  • Track your visa deadlines using the built-in planner

Final Note

Interstride is not just a job board. It is a long-term career planning companion designed to support international students from admission through post-graduation employment.

Students who use Interstride proactively are more likely to find compliant employers, meet visa deadlines, and build sustainable careers in the U.S.

If you need help navigating Interstride or aligning it with your OPT goals, contact CSP’s Career Development Center or International Student Services team.