Legally, U can't work off campus..U can work on CPT(Curricluar Practical training) off campus if u have a Job offer Letter within ur field of Study..CPT is normally given after fulfulling 2 full sem hours on the college(it also varies by the Univ)..In case of severe economic hardship u can also work for 20 hrs with permission from DSO(Normally DSO (Designated Schhol official) doesn't encourage u to do such coz u r supposed to show prof to fund ur studies in US when u appeared for VISA interview in US)..In this Economic Climate it's hell tough to get a Job within ur field of Study..So chances are Extremely slim....