Entry Level STEM OPT Jobs
Entry level roles on STEM OPT give you 24 months of E-Verify-backed work authorization without a lottery or cap. Employers file your OPT extension through USCIS, not a sponsorship petition, making early-career hiring faster and lower-risk for them than H-1B visa. Your degree field must align with your job title.
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Overview of the position
Would you like to combine your passion for sports and entertainment with a fast-paced job in the trading card industry? The Associate Product Development Specialist role is ideal for a creative, detail-oriented individual with passion and experience in the trading card industry. The Associate Product Development Specialist will work under the Upper Deck Collectibles (UDC) division of the company. Primary responsibilities include the creation of unique, innovative products in line with the company’s overall sales and profit goals for wholesale, retail, direct, and hobby distribution channels. The Associate Product Development Specialist will oversee/manage the production cycle from the beginning conceptualization phase to eventual public release of said product. Other responsibilities include the preparation and presentation of business and product strategies and financial cost reports, to ensure they simultaneously meet company and consumer expectations for both profits and content. For anyone out there that has ever wanted to build a trading card product and work for one of the major manufacturers in the hobby, this job is for you!
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an individual assigned to this job. Other duties may be assigned.
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Product Development: In conjunction with internal and external parties, plays a central role in the management of the development of products in line with the company’s strategic initiatives; meeting legal, financial and design requirements and delivering consistent quality and safety standards. Responsible to closely monitoring trading card industry trends to master the understanding of value drivers, including consistent communication with outside consultants. Works directly with Finance team to compose and edit financial costing documents. Responsible to draft and edit Strategic Brief documents for each product – providing detail for the specific vision and themes for all subsets and cards. Provides initial directions on layout and art design.
-
Product Determination and Selection: Assists in the development of categories and products commensurate with strategies specified in licensed product portfolio strategies and business plans. Assists in providing input on reliable and cost-effective sources within established development process.
-
Licensed Property Product Portfolio Management: Assists Director of Product Development in providing product portfolio management of licensed properties. Works with Executive Team, Sales, and Legal to support selection and evaluation of prospective sport-focused licenses. Anticipates, identifies, and capitalizes on sports card market industry trends.
-
Collectibles Content Sourcing: Assists Coordinator group in market research and procurement efforts for vintage collectibles to be used as elements within select trading card lines.
-
Quality Control/Ethics: Assists in the determination and communication of product quality standards. Monitors quality and manufacturing standards, ensuring adherence to Code of Conduct. Works closely with Operations to minimize manufacturing errors and delivery slippage.
-
Marketing, Advertising, Promotion, and Solicitation Activity: Provides input into Marketing/Advertising/PR campaigns in line with corporate strategies and initiatives or other activities as designated. Attends regional Sales and Distributor meetings and Trade Shows to communicate product plans and strategies.
-
Systems and Administration: Monitors cost of goods and inventory levels for collectibles content and raw materials. Review all SKU’s on a planned schedule, works closely with Finance when new orders are due to prepare preliminary data and review profit and loss statements.
-
Communication: Responsible for keeping the Company up to date with ranging developments. Liaison with other departments. Supports Brand team in recommending, communicating and coordinating launch strategies and calendars, license acquisitions, product promotions, sales, etc.
INTERACTION
This position will interact closely with the Upper Deck Company Director of Product Development, the Collectibles team, Brand, Product Development Coordinators, Finance, Operations, Design, Sales and Senior Management along with related company staff members and external parties. Interfaces regularly with upper management to provide reports on departmental performance, challenges, and anticipated needs.
EDUCATION/YEARS EXPERIENCE
- 2+ years of experience in collecting modern trading cards (sports and/or entertainment).
- Bachelor’s Degree with an emphasis in Marketing, Product Development and Design or a closely related field or equivalent experience is preferred.
REQUIREMENTS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Strong understanding of the modern trading card market (sports and/or entertainment) is required.
- Professional demeanor; team player orientation.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple, high priority projects.
- Exceptional ability for attention to details – particularly with manipulating Excel spreadsheets.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Superior interpersonal, leadership, negotiating, consulting, presentation, analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Strong background in the management of direct and departmental reports and internal/external teams.
- Ability to interface with internal and external parties.
- Ability to perform duties under minimal supervision while exercising discretion and independent judgment.
- Hands on, energetic and motivated self-starter.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally on behalf of the Company.
- Proficiency in the following software or systems: MS Office (advanced expertise with Excel is preferable).
SUMMARY
Overview of the position
Would you like to combine your passion for sports and entertainment with a fast-paced job in the trading card industry? The Associate Product Development Specialist role is ideal for a creative, detail-oriented individual with passion and experience in the trading card industry. The Associate Product Development Specialist will work under the Upper Deck Collectibles (UDC) division of the company. Primary responsibilities include the creation of unique, innovative products in line with the company’s overall sales and profit goals for wholesale, retail, direct, and hobby distribution channels. The Associate Product Development Specialist will oversee/manage the production cycle from the beginning conceptualization phase to eventual public release of said product. Other responsibilities include the preparation and presentation of business and product strategies and financial cost reports, to ensure they simultaneously meet company and consumer expectations for both profits and content. For anyone out there that has ever wanted to build a trading card product and work for one of the major manufacturers in the hobby, this job is for you!
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an individual assigned to this job. Other duties may be assigned.
-
Product Development: In conjunction with internal and external parties, plays a central role in the management of the development of products in line with the company’s strategic initiatives; meeting legal, financial and design requirements and delivering consistent quality and safety standards. Responsible to closely monitoring trading card industry trends to master the understanding of value drivers, including consistent communication with outside consultants. Works directly with Finance team to compose and edit financial costing documents. Responsible to draft and edit Strategic Brief documents for each product – providing detail for the specific vision and themes for all subsets and cards. Provides initial directions on layout and art design.
-
Product Determination and Selection: Assists in the development of categories and products commensurate with strategies specified in licensed product portfolio strategies and business plans. Assists in providing input on reliable and cost-effective sources within established development process.
-
Licensed Property Product Portfolio Management: Assists Director of Product Development in providing product portfolio management of licensed properties. Works with Executive Team, Sales, and Legal to support selection and evaluation of prospective sport-focused licenses. Anticipates, identifies, and capitalizes on sports card market industry trends.
-
Collectibles Content Sourcing: Assists Coordinator group in market research and procurement efforts for vintage collectibles to be used as elements within select trading card lines.
-
Quality Control/Ethics: Assists in the determination and communication of product quality standards. Monitors quality and manufacturing standards, ensuring adherence to Code of Conduct. Works closely with Operations to minimize manufacturing errors and delivery slippage.
-
Marketing, Advertising, Promotion, and Solicitation Activity: Provides input into Marketing/Advertising/PR campaigns in line with corporate strategies and initiatives or other activities as designated. Attends regional Sales and Distributor meetings and Trade Shows to communicate product plans and strategies.
-
Systems and Administration: Monitors cost of goods and inventory levels for collectibles content and raw materials. Review all SKU’s on a planned schedule, works closely with Finance when new orders are due to prepare preliminary data and review profit and loss statements.
-
Communication: Responsible for keeping the Company up to date with ranging developments. Liaison with other departments. Supports Brand team in recommending, communicating and coordinating launch strategies and calendars, license acquisitions, product promotions, sales, etc.
INTERACTION
This position will interact closely with the Upper Deck Company Director of Product Development, the Collectibles team, Brand, Product Development Coordinators, Finance, Operations, Design, Sales and Senior Management along with related company staff members and external parties. Interfaces regularly with upper management to provide reports on departmental performance, challenges, and anticipated needs.
EDUCATION/YEARS EXPERIENCE
- 2+ years of experience in collecting modern trading cards (sports and/or entertainment).
- Bachelor’s Degree with an emphasis in Marketing, Product Development and Design or a closely related field or equivalent experience is preferred.
REQUIREMENTS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Strong understanding of the modern trading card market (sports and/or entertainment) is required.
- Professional demeanor; team player orientation.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple, high priority projects.
- Exceptional ability for attention to details – particularly with manipulating Excel spreadsheets.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Superior interpersonal, leadership, negotiating, consulting, presentation, analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Strong background in the management of direct and departmental reports and internal/external teams.
- Ability to interface with internal and external parties.
- Ability to perform duties under minimal supervision while exercising discretion and independent judgment.
- Hands on, energetic and motivated self-starter.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally on behalf of the Company.
- Proficiency in the following software or systems: MS Office (advanced expertise with Excel is preferable).
See all 8,804+ Entry Level STEM OPT Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Jobs
Verify your degree matches your role
USCIS requires a direct relationship between your STEM degree field and your job duties. Before applying, confirm your SOC code on O*NET aligns with your degree's CIP code. Mismatches are the most common reason STEM OPT extension requests are denied.
File your STEM OPT extension 90 days early
USCIS requires you to apply at least 90 days before your initial OPT end date. Your DSO must recommend the extension in SEVIS first. Missing this window doesn't grant extra time and can result in a gap in your work authorization.
Use Migrate Mate to find STEM OPT-ready employers
Search Migrate Mate to surface employers with confirmed E-Verify enrollment and STEM hiring history by occupation. This cuts out the guesswork of cold-applying to companies that can't legally authorize your extension.
Negotiate your training plan before signing
Your employer must complete a Form I-983 training plan documenting how the role relates to your STEM degree. Get clarity on who owns this before accepting an offer. Employers unfamiliar with I-983 requirements can delay your extension even after hiring you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find entry level jobs that support STEM OPT?
Search Migrate Mate to find entry level roles at employers with verified E-Verify enrollment, which is required for STEM OPT authorization. Applying broadly without checking E-Verify status wastes time. Narrow by your SOC code to ensure the roles you target match your degree field, which USCIS requires for extension approval.
What does an employer actually have to do to hire me on STEM OPT?
Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, sign and co-develop a Form I-983 training plan with you, and report your employment status to your DSO every six months. They don't file a separate visa petition, which makes STEM OPT hires faster to process than H-1B hires. Many mid-size and large tech, engineering, and life sciences employers already have this infrastructure in place.
Is my STEM OPT tied to a specific employer?
Yes, your STEM OPT is employer-specific. If you change jobs, you must update your employment in SEVIS through your DSO and get a new I-983 signed by the new employer. You can change employers on STEM OPT, but the new employer must also be E-Verify enrolled and your role must still align with your STEM degree field.
What if my entry level job title doesn't obviously match my STEM degree?
USCIS evaluates the relationship between your degree's CIP code and your role's SOC code, not just job titles. A computer science graduate in a 'data operations analyst' role can qualify if the SOC code falls within an approved STEM designation. Check your job's SOC code against the DHS STEM OPT designated degree list before filing your extension request.
Can I start working at a new entry level job before my STEM OPT extension is approved?
Yes, if you filed your STEM OPT extension on time, you receive an automatic 180-day cap-gap that lets you keep working while USCIS processes your application. This applies only if you filed before your initial OPT expired. Your new employer must be E-Verify enrolled from day one of your employment, not just after approval.