u/WellnessWontons

I graduated with my master’s degree in December 2025 and started OPT in mid-January. I’ve been self-employed since then, but I haven’t been able to land a full-time position yet.

My degree is STEM-eligible, so I have the option to apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension after my first year. However, I’m starting to get a little worried about what happens if I don’t secure a qualifying full-time job by January.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? I’d really appreciate any advice on what I should be doing now or what options I should consider. I’ve also been thinking about pursuing a second master’s degree and using CPT, or exploring other visa options if I’m unable to find a qualifying job before then.