CPT Events Jobs
Events roles on CPT span event coordination, production logistics, and venue operations, all fields where your DSO can authorize work as integral to hospitality, communications, or business programs. CPT must be tied to a specific course or requirement, so confirm your program's policy before accepting an offer.
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APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
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CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
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CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
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If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
The Arboretum at Penn State is offering one paid ($16.00/hr. undergraduate, $17.00/hr. graduate) summer internship for undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates interested in career paths in event management and related topics. This position will work approximately 20 hours/week and will run for 18 weeks preferably beginning in May and concluding following the annual Pumpkin Festival in October; however, start and end dates are negotiable. Internship responsibilities will be a combination of in-office work (weekdays), and event management and staffing (primarily nights and weekends).
Experience:
This internship provides a hands-on introduction to event management and customer service in a public garden setting. With the guidance and support of the Events & Rentals Manager, the successful candidate will gain event management experience with inter-departmental organization, timelines, logistics, and on-site coordination at rental spaces within the Arboretum. Additionally, this position will provide exposure to the rental contract process from inquiry to execution. The program will immerse the candidate in the world of public gardens, visitor services, and volunteer management while integrating public relations and donor support skills.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Attend event meetings alongside the Events & Rentals Manager and client to walk through the details of the event, answer questions, generate ideas, and outline garden and event rules, regulations, and guidelines.
- Create and maintain up-to-date timelines for each rental event, including creating or adjusting event diagrams, layouts, and maps.
- Communicate timelines, rules and regulations, and event logistics (including items of special notice) to event vendors. This may include collecting certificates of insurance and licensing for caterers, when applicable.
- Coordinate venue setup and teardown, including event and directional signage and placement of ropes and stanchions, while preserving the integrity of the property and meeting the clients’ needs.
- Assist with event risk assessment and coordination of emergency response as needed (e.g. inclement weather, medical emergencies).
- Collaborate with the Volunteer Program Manager in the administration of scheduling, overseeing, and coordinating our diverse volunteer workforce.
- Maintain a solution-oriented mindset in response to last-minute changes and provide guest feedback for enhancing rental areas and guest experience.
- Act as an informal “garden guide” for guests with common and general Arboretum knowledge and enthusiasm, while upholding DEIB confidence.
Qualifications
Applicants should be undergraduates, graduate students, or recent graduates. They should demonstrate a strong interest in event management, recreation and tourism management, conferences and institutes, hospitality, business management, garden or museum studies, or other similar fields. The preferred applicant will demonstrate professional customer service skills and the desire to learn. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and familiarity with the Microsoft Office suite are expected.
Requirements
- Resume or CV
- Cover letter
Application:
- Applications must be submitted online via WORKDAY
- Include a cover letter, resume or CV, and reference materials with your application.
- Deadline for application is February 26, 2027
Qualified applicants will be contacted for interviews to be scheduled beginning in March 2027.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
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Get Access To All JobsEvents CPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Which events job functions qualify as integral to a curriculum for CPT?
CPT is valid when the work directly relates to your declared major. Event coordination, production management, and sponsorship logistics typically qualify for students in hospitality, communications, or business programs. Roles in social media promotion or graphic design for events may qualify if your program includes those courses, confirm the exact function with your DSO before accepting.
Can I do CPT for a seasonal events employer like a festival or conference company?
Yes, but your CPT authorization is tied to specific dates and an employer name. Seasonal roles work as long as your DSO can authorize the exact employment period and the work qualifies under your program. If the festival rehires you the following season, you'll need a new CPT authorization, it doesn't carry over automatically.
How do I find events employers familiar with hiring CPT students?
Migrate Mate lists employers with verified international hiring history so you can identify events companies that have navigated CPT and work authorization before. This matters because employers unfamiliar with the process often delay or withdraw offers when they see the paperwork. Targeting experienced employers significantly reduces that friction.
Does working full-time in events on CPT affect my future OPT eligibility?
It can. USCIS rules state that 12 or more months of full-time CPT eliminates your eligibility for OPT entirely. Part-time CPT, which is fewer than 20 hours per week, doesn't count toward that limit regardless of total duration. If you're planning to use OPT after graduation, track your full-time CPT hours carefully across all authorizations.
What documentation does an events employer need from me to complete onboarding under CPT?
You'll need your I-20 with the CPT authorization endorsed on page two, naming the employer and the authorized dates. The employer must also complete Form I-9 and verify your documents through E-Verify if enrolled. Some events companies also request your offer letter back from you to confirm it matches the scope on your I-20 before your first day.