CCNA + a US-hire-ready portfolio, timed for your F-1 / OPT window.
For international students on F-1 or OPT: get the Cisco cert, three portfolio-grade projects US recruiters actually look for, and an interview package built for the US hiring loop. Weekly 1:1 with a senior network engineer. Twelve weeks or a compressed eight-week track if your OPT clock is short.
Built around the US networking hiring loop.
Employers that hire OPT + STEM-OPT
US MSPs, Cisco partners, and consultancies hire junior network staff, and some consider OPT candidates. Roles that need a security clearance generally require US citizenship. We target the rest.
Portfolio, not lab dumps
Three resume-ready projects: a full multi-VLAN network with security policy, a config-audit Python script, and a live troubleshooting runbook. Not "I did lab 5". Real artifacts recruiters see.
US resume + LinkedIn rewrite
ATS-tuned resume for the US format (not the Indian / Pakistani CV format). LinkedIn About + Headline rewrite tuned for US recruiter searches. Included in every core program.
Behavioral + technical mock interviews
STAR-framework practice + a recorded technical mock. We drill the behavioral half as hard as the technical half.
Compressed 8-week option if OPT is short
If you have less than 6 months of OPT + STEM-OPT left, we do an 8-week track focused on getting you interview-ready fast rather than exam-first. Talk to us.
H-1B lottery + green-card long game
CCNA + entry NetEng at a US employer is a legitimate path into an H-1B (annual lottery) or, longer-term, EB-2 / EB-3 sponsorship. We help you pick employers who actually sponsor.
What the national pay data says.
For context, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $99,130 (May 2025) for network and computer systems administrators, across all experience levels (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook). BLS does not publish pay by certification, and entry-level pay is lower and varies by location and employer.
Straight answers.
Does the CCNA count as a STEM credential for OPT? +
The CCNA itself is a vendor certification, not a US degree, so it doesn't change your OPT / STEM-OPT eligibility on its own. What it does do is make you employable in a networking role. Your STEM-OPT eligibility comes from your CIP code (usually 11.xxxx CS/IT, 14.xxxx engineering, or 40.xxxx tech). Talk to your DSO if you're unsure, but CCNA + a STEM CIP is the combination US employers hire from.
What kinds of US employers hire international students on OPT / STEM-OPT for networking roles? +
MSPs, Cisco partners, consultancies and enterprise IT departments all hire junior network staff. Whether a given employer hires OPT candidates varies, so check each posting and ask. Roles that need a US security clearance are generally closed, because clearances generally require US citizenship.
Can I do the mentorship program while I'm still on F-1 studying full-time? +
Yes. The CCNA program is 24 live 1:1 classes over 12 weeks (two a week) plus self-paced labs. It is designed to fit around a full course load. Do NOT accept payment for tutoring / mentoring others while on F-1 without CPT/OPT authorization; being a student in our program is fine.
What happens between CCNA and my first US role, timeline reality? +
Realistic timeline for a strong candidate: month 1-3 CCNA + our 3 portfolio projects, month 3-4 US-format resume and LinkedIn, month 4-6 interview cycle. Cold applications get few replies, so plan on a long application list. H-1B selection is a lottery whose odds change every year; check the latest USCIS data. Some students bridge with CPT / on-campus work while applying.
How is your CCNA program different from Coursera / Udemy / a bootcamp? +
Two things. First, 1:1 weekly with a senior engineer means we build the exact projects your target US employer looks for on a resume, not generic labs. Second, we do US interview prep: resume ATS keywords, LinkedIn headline, behavioral STAR, mock technical interview. Most bootcamps don't coach the interview.
I'm on OPT and my clock is ticking. Is 12 weeks too long? +
Depends on where you are on OPT. If you have 8+ months of OPT + STEM-OPT left, 12 weeks is fine: CCNA + interview cycle finishes in 5-6 months and you start applications alongside the second half of study. If you have less than 6 months of OPT left, we do a compressed 8-week track focused on getting you interview-ready fast. Email us to discuss.
Information on F-1 / OPT / STEM-OPT / H-1B is general and current as of 2026-07. It is not legal or immigration advice. Verify your specific situation with your DSO and/or an immigration attorney.
Book a free 20-min planning call.
We map your OPT window, target employers, and CCNA timeline in twenty minutes. No card, no pitch. You leave with a written plan whether or not you enroll.