Last updated February 5, 2026

In this article

• Determining your right to work
• How undocumented individuals can earn money in the U.S.

Understanding what is needed to work in the United States can be confusing for anyone applying for a job for the first time. This can potentially be even more complicated depending on your immigration or legal status in the country. Fortunately, there are job options available for both undocumented youth and youth who have specially protected legal status, such as DACA recipients. In this piece we’ll break down what your job options are and where to find job resources!

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Immigration and work authorization policies can change due to court decisions and federal action, so it’s important to stay informed using trusted, up-to-date sources.

Determining your right to work

There are a few categories of legal status that you may fall under according to the federal government. Depending on your status, you’ll have different legal options in terms of what kinds of work you can obtain. We’ll break down the most common statuses below and link to great resources to learn more.

DACA and TPS recipients

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program provides young people who were brought to the U.S. as children with protection from deportation, a social security number, work authorization, and more. DACA, however, is facing some legal challenges. If you currently have DACA status, your right to work is still in place. While new recipients are not being processed, you still may be able to process a renewal so be sure to check your status before you apply to any jobs.

• Because DACA remains subject to ongoing legal challenges, recipients should regularly monitor renewal deadlines and policy updates before applying for or changing jobs.

• Even if you currently have valid work authorization, delays in renewals or processing may occur, so planning ahead is especially important.

The Temporary Protective Status (TPS) program provides temporary immigration status to people of certain countries experiencing problems that make it difficult or unsafe for their nationals to be deported back to those countries. TPS designations and extensions are determined by the federal government and may change, so be sure to confirm your country’s current status and eligibility.

Both of these programs offer recipients the ability to work legally in the United States. Here are some key terms and documents you’ll need to know to work successfully with these statuses:

• Employment Authorization Document (EAD) – As a DACA or TPS recipient, you will be eligible to receive an employment authorization document, or EAD. This document is all the legal proof you need to work! In order to keep your EAD valid, be sure to make sure that your DACA or TPS status is up to date and active.
• Form I-9 – This is a legal form that employers are required to have all new employees complete. The federal government uses this form to ensure that all employers are hiring employees who are legally entitled to work in the United States. Your EAD is a valid form of identification and proof of your legal right to work and should be the only proof you need when you fill out your I-9 form.
• Social Security Number (SSN) – A Social Security Number is a government-issued identification number that is used to track earnings, file taxes, and can be used as a part of loan applications among other things. As a DACA or TPS recipient, you may be eligible to receive a SSN. While a SSN is not required to legally work in the U.S., it is highly encouraged to obtain one because it can make things like filing taxes, applying for financial aid for college, and obtaining further employment easier.

Undocumented individuals

If you do not have legal work documents in the United States, like the ones a DACA or TPS or green card holder have, your path to employment can be a bit more complicated – but there are still ways for you to earn money! While securing employment can be difficult for undocumented people, since all employers in the U.S. require new hires to submit an I-9 form, there are still ways for them to earn money legally. Here are some key things to know before you start earning money:

• Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) – An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a tax processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). An ITIN is given to people who are required to pay taxes but who do not have, and are not eligible to obtain, a SSN. The ITIN allows people to report earnings to the IRS, open interest-bearing bank accounts with certain banks, and even start a business in the U.S. Getting an ITIN is the first step in earning money legally as an undocumented individual!
• Form W-7 – This is the form you’ll need to complete in order to get an ITIN from the government.

• Given increased immigration enforcement concerns in some areas, undocumented individuals should be exercise caution when sharing personal information and seek guidance before pursuing new work opportunities

• A good practice to have is to avoid employers or job postings that promise “guaranteed” work authorization or ask for unnecessary personal or immigration documents.

How undocumented individuals can earn money in the U.S.

Because employers in the U.S. cannot hire employees without legal authorization, the best way to earn money as an undocumented youth is as an independent contractor, freelancer, entrepreneur, and through worker cooperatives. Once you have an ITIN, you can legally earn money (and pay taxes) in these ways:

• Independent Contractor or Freelancer – The “gig economy” refers to a segment of the labor market in which clients contract with workers, often via apps, for specific tasks and activities. This includes things like being a driver for a ride share app like Uber or Lyft, working as a freelancer on apps like TaskRabbit, or even jobs such as computer programmers.
• Entrepreneurship – Working for yourself is never a bad idea! This could include selling products on Etsy or eBay, providing services in your neighborhood, tutoring, babysitting, and more. Read our list of side hustles you can start today for some inspiration!
• Key Resources to Help –
• If you have questions about your rights or work options, consider reaching out to a trusted nonprofit or legal aid organization for personalized guidance. Immigrants Rising is an amazing organization that helps young people earn money and know their rights. They have tools about getting started as an independent contractor, brainstorming your next business, and even offer grants to help you start your own business. If you are in college, be sure to talk to someone at your career center. Many schools have specific programs to support youth with a range of immigration statuses. They may have specific internships or fellowships that you can apply for. 

Knowing your rights and figuring out ways to make money can be confusing and challenging, but we’re here to help! Do you have a question or need further assistance with finding or securing a job as a DACA recipient or undocumented person? Connect with a Get Schooled Advisor.

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Last updated June 18, 2026

In this article

• Applying for a Job
• Emailing Educators 
• Requesting an Informational Interview

Whether you’re applying for a job, communicating with educators, or exploring careers, knowing how to write professional emails is essential. In this article, we show you how to write a professional email with a few real-life examples!

Applying for a Job

While many companies use specific hiring platforms for candidates to submit job applications, some may accept applications over email. When applying for a job over email, you will need a few items to make a strong first impression:

• Your resume. Every job you apply forwill require you to submit a resume. Your resume should include things like your work and volunteer experience, academic history, and skills or achievements. Before applying, submit your resume to us for free review and feedback!
• Your cover letter. While not every job you apply for will require you to submit a cover letter, we recommend that you write one anyway. You can draft a basic cover letter and tailor it to each position you apply for. Regardless of the position you’re applying for, it’s important to make sure that your cover letter clearly explains your interest in the position and the experiences (work, volunteer, etc.) that make you the best candidate for it. Both your resume and cover letter should be attached to the email you send for the hiring manager’s review.
• Your professional email. Because you’re attaching your resume and cover letter, your email to the hiring manager can be brief. In your email, you will want to introduce yourself, briefly explain your interest in the position, and direct the hiring manager toward your resume and cover letter for review. 

Sample Email

Subject: Interest in [name of position] at [name of company]

Dear [hiring manager’s name],

My name is ____, and I am a senior at ____. I recently came across the [name of position] opening at [name of company], and I wanted to express my strong interest in this opportunity.

As a self-motivated individual with experience as a [insert job or volunteer experience here], I believe I have the skills and passion necessary to thrive in this role. 

I am eager to learn more about the [name of position] role and how I can contribute to the team at [name of company]. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss how my background and interests align with the needs of your company.

Attached below are my resume and cover letter for your review. Thank you very much for your time and consideration. 

Best regards,
[your name]
[your phone number]
[your email address]

Emailing Educators 

Whether you need extra support from your high school teacher or have a question for your academic advisor in college, it’s important to communicate clearly, effectively, and professionally with your educators. Read more below to learn how to communicate respectfully with an educator.

Sample Email

Subject: Request to Meet About [name of subject, topic, etc.]

Dear [educator’s name],

I hope you’re doing well. My name is ____, and I’m a ___ student in your ____ class. I’m writing to ask if we could meet soon to discuss [name of subject, topic, etc.]. 

I’m happy to meet during your office hours or whenever is best for you. Please let me know if we can arrange a time.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to speaking with you.

Best regards,
[your name]
[your phone number]
[your email address]

Requesting an Informational Interview

If you come across someone on LinkedIn or through your network, you can reach out to them to request an informational interview. Informational interviews are one of the best ways to learn more about the career pathway you’re interested in, directly from a person working in it. Read more below about requesting an informational interview. 

Sample Email

Subject: Request for an Informational Interview

Dear [professional’s name],

My name is ____, and I am a student at ____. I am very interested in learning more about [specific field or industry], and I [came across your LinkedIn profile, was put in touch with you by ____, etc.]. 

Given your experience and success in [specific field or industry], I would appreciate the opportunity to conduct an informational interview with you to learn more about your career journey and any advice you may have for people interested in pursuing a similar path. I would love to meet for a 15-20 minute conversation over the phone or on a video call at a time that is most convenient for you. 

Thank you very much for your consideration. I look forward to the possibility of speaking with you and learning from your experiences!

Best regards,
[your name]
[your phone number]
[your email address]

Do you have any questions about writing professional emails? Connect with a Get Schooled Advisor.

Keep going

Last updated June 18, 2026

In this article

• Upload a resume and add your work experience
• Submit a cover letter
• Select your work availability
• Answer diversity survey(s)
• Share your LinkedIn profile
• Consent to a background check
• Sign the job application
• Check your email (and spam folder)
• Follow up

No matter the type of job you’re applying for, there are some common sections and questions you can expect to see on applications. It’s important to understand exactly how to fill out these sections to ensure you’re submitting your application to the best of your ability. Read more to learn about how to fill out common job application sections! 

Upload a resume and add your work experience 

Regardless of the type of job you’re applying for, you will be asked to submit a resume. Your resume is your first impression on employers, so it’s essential to make sure it’s well-organized, easy to understand, and accurately captures your work and academic experience. It’s usually best to upload your resume as a PDF (rather than a Google or Word Document) so that it can’t be edited once it’s submitted. 

You may find that once you upload your resume, the text from it will automatically be populated into the Work Experience section of the job application. If this happens, be sure to read carefully through each Work Experience box or section to make sure they’re populated correctly and contain no spacing errors or typos.

Before uploading and submitting your resume, make sure that it contains keywords from the job description. Many companies use AI technology to filter the resumes they receive based on keywords in the job description. The closer the wording of your resume matches the keywords from the job description, the better chance it will have of standing out.

Need some feedback on your resume? Send it to us for free review! We’ll have it back to you in a week with personalized, actionable feedback.

Submit a cover letter

Some jobs may require you to submit a cover letter, while others won’t. The purpose of a cover letter is to express your interest in the specific position you’re applying for while highlighting all the skills that make you the best candidate for it. Submitting a cover letter even when it’s not required can go a long way in demonstrating your excitement and interest in the job! When submitting your cover letter, be sure that it’s also in PDF format (like your resume) so it can’t be edited. 

Select your work availability

Some jobs will ask you to select your work availability on a daily or hourly basis. Be sure you are certain about your availability before filling out this section, so that if you are hired, you have a general idea of when you will need to work. 

Answer diversity survey(s)

Many employers will include a short survey at the end of a job application asking you to provide your ethnicity, race, and/or gender. This survey is optional, and your answers on it will not be connected to the rest of your application. It’s up to you whether you want to fill it out or skip it!

Share your LinkedIn profile

Many job application portals will have a place for you to add a link to your LinkedIn profile. While this is usually optional, we recommend adding your LinkedIn anyways to help an employer get to know you better. 

Consent to a background check

Depending on the type of job you’re applying for, you may be asked to consent to a background check. Background checks usually reveal things such as your credit report, identity verification, criminal history, driving record, and more. Background checks are typically mandatory. 

Source: LinkedIn

Sign the job application

When you finish completing your job application, you will be asked to confirm that all the information you’ve provided is true and accurate. Honesty is the best policy, so if you’re reviewing your application and notice that something needs to be fixed, do it before submitting.  

Check your email (and spam folder)

After you submit your application, check your email (both your inbox and spam folder) for confirmation that your application was received. Depending on the position you applied for, there may also be an online assessment to complete for your application to be processed. If you have to complete an assessment, do it ASAP. 

Follow up

Once you’ve confirmed that your application has been received, be sure to follow up with the hiring manager if you have their contact information. Sending an email or calling the employer to thank them for the opportunity and ask if there is a timeline for hearing back on the next steps shows that you’re motivated, confident, and excited about the job!

Do you have any questions about applying for jobs? Connect with a Get Schooled Advisor.

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