My American Work Experience in 2024: Achieving Financial Milestones 🎉

Welcome to my blog! As I dive into my first year of working in the USA, I’m thrilled to share my financial journey. Roundabout, I’ve earned my first 100,000 RMB! While I’ve spent quite a bit, the experience has been invaluable.

Where the Money Came From 💵

This year, my earnings primarily came from three sources:

• Summer Internship: Approximately $9,200 (after tax)
• Teaching Assistantship: Roughly $3,800 (after tax)
• Side Hustle: About 6,000 RMB

Feeling Empowered with Earnings ✈️

Having my own income has boosted my confidence significantly. With my summer internship earnings, I was able to travel to Japan, a dream come true! As classes resumed, it felt great to be able to purchase headphones and clothes without financial stress. Seeing my bank account grow is an exhilarating feeling!

Money-Making Strategies as an International Student 💡

Here’s a summary of effective and legal money-making strategies for international students, drawn from my own experiences (specific figures are just for reference, based on my time in the Bay Area):

1. Internship Opportunities

I highly recommend finding a paid summer internship! If you’re on OPT or CPT, you can work full-time. During the semester, you can also find part-time roles (up to 20 hours/week). In the tech sector, hourly rates can start from $20 and go as high as $40-60 for big names, making it easy to cover living expenses.

2. Part-Time Work at School

Most universities offer two main types of part-time work: academic positions and operational jobs. Academic roles (like lab assistant or teaching assistant) often pay higher, typically ranging from $22 to $35 per hour but may have a stricter application process. Operational jobs include working in the cafeteria, library, or as security in museums, generally paying minimum wage (about $18/hour)—a decent gig for some pocket money!

3. Content Creation on Social Media

Living abroad provides plenty of material for content creation. I take a relaxed approach to social media; if I have something to share, I post it, and if not, I wait. Once the following grows, the earnings will follow! To give a rough estimate, many content creators charge around 10% of their follower count, which can serve as a guide.

Final Thoughts 📈

These are just a few ways I’ve explored to make money. Personally, I tend to avoid high-risk options like cryptocurrency or startups, preferring safer methods. I hope my experience provides some valuable insights!

For 2025, my goal is to save $10,000. Here’s to achieving that dream soon! 🙏✨

Connect with Me! 🌍

Have you had similar experiences as an international student? Let’s share our tips and stories! Comment below or connect with me on social media.