Hi everyone,
Posting on behalf of a friend who could really use some guidance.
Their employer-sponsored green card process is currently underway and the company’s attorneys are suggesting Day 1 CPT programs for transition as they were not picked for H1B 
PERM is expected around August 2026 and they would like to continue working for the same employer at the same time. Is Day 1 CPT a good option? They don’t really want to do MBA, any other options as major for a account manager?
Totally get the situation — I’ve seen quite a few people go the Day 1 CPT route while waiting out the green card timeline, especially after missing the H-1B.
It can work, but a few things to keep in mind:
You still need to stay fully enrolled and maintain academic progress — even if it feels like a formality
USCIS might scrutinize CPT history later during AOS (adjustment of status), especially if the school looks sketchy or the major doesn’t align with the job
For an account manager role, some people go for degrees like MS in Leadership, Organizational Management, or even Data Analytics if it ties into the work
If they go this route, the choice of school really matters. Stick to SEVP-certified schools with a solid track record and CPT policies clearly tied to coursework.
And yeah, no MBA is totally fine — there are other programs that feel less repetitive and more relevant depending on what they do day to day.