Unpaid training count as employment

[purpleping]

Hi everyone,

So I worked in a research group for a few months and did some unpaid training (to learn about the project and learn the equipment etc.) for about two weeks before I started my paid employment and I was wondering if these two weeks of unpaid training counts as employment or not.

Also I know last year there was the issue of some of the offices at USCIS denying STEM extensions due to volunteer work during the initial OPT period. I was wondering if this was resolved and if volunteer work does actually count as employment.

Thanks in advanced for your help.