Change of field

[chilm12]

Hi,

I completed my masters in Biology and currently on OPT.Is there any possibility I can shift to IT sector?If so, what are the consequences?Suggestions are accepted.

[abies]

Are you concerned about the "positions must be directly related to your area of study" rule on OPT? I'm sure you can't change your master's degree after you graduated.

I have a degree in biology (environmental/ecology), and my job is database development, management, and modeling (generally considered as IT jobs) with OPT right now. They don't seem to be related to my degree, but the database is for fire ecology and forestry, which heavily require knowledge on my area of study as well as on computational science and analysis. Even if a USCIS officer comes to me and says "Your title isn't related to your degree! Illegal!!!!", I can make a fair argument with him, and I'm 120% sure I would be fine.

So it depends...

[chilm12]

Thank you for the reply. I am actually interested in QA position.So do I have to look for QA position some how related to only my field?

[abies]

Yes, because USCIS defines OPT as "temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study". Not just that, in this economic situation I don't think it's easy to find a job in the field which you don't have experience and/or degree in. Also, if you want H1B in the future, you won't be qualified for it with the non-major related QA position. The Department of Labor will definitely catch that.

Good luck on the job search. I hope you can find the job you like.