J-1 Visa Communications Jobs
Communications professionals can enter the U.S. through J-1 visa sponsorship under the Trainee or Intern category, depending on whether you hold a degree or are still enrolled. Designated sponsors issue your DS-2019 and oversee your training plan while your host employer runs day-to-day work.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Undergraduate Communications Intern - EPIC/CAER
Requisition Number: DU14490
Department Name: 40550:Ctr For Applied Energy Res
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Salary Range: $15.00/hour
Type of Position: Student
Position Time Status: Part-Time
Required Education
HS diploma + 0 years of experience.
Required Related Experience
- Coursework or prior experience in energy, environmental policy, public policy, communications, or a related discipline
- Familiarity with Kentucky state and federal government or the energy sector
- Experience with data visualization tools or ability to learn quickly
- Graduate students or rising juniors/seniors preferred; all class levels welcome to apply
Required License/Registration/Certification
N/A
Physical Requirements
Requires handling lightweight objects up to 10lbs: standing and walking
Shift
8:00am – 5:00pm Monday-Friday
Job Summary
The Kentucky Energy Planning and Inventory Commission (EPIC) is an independent state agency established by the 2024 Kentucky General Assembly under KRS 164.2807. EPIC is administratively attached to the University of Kentucky’s Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) and is charged with providing independent, data-driven analysis to inform state energy policy. EPIC’s work spans three analytical pillars: demand forecasting, primary energy supply assessment, and transmission infrastructure.
This internship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a first-of-its-kind state energy planning agency at a pivotal moment in Kentucky’s energy future.
EPIC seeks motivated students to fill a rotating internship position supporting the agency’s communications and policy research functions. The intern will work directly with the Executive Director and contribute to EPIC’s public-facing communications, legislative support, and analytical research across energy topics including electricity supply adequacy, power plant retirements, data center energy demand, and transmission infrastructure.
Term Dates
Fall 2026 | Mid-August 2026 (August 24) | Mid-December 2026 (December 11) | ~16 weeks
Spring 2027 | Mid-January 2027 (January 11) | Early May 2027 (May 7) | ~17 weeks
This position is well-suited for a student with interests in energy policy, public administration, environmental studies, communications, or a related field who wants hands-on experience in state government and energy planning.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Support the development of public communications, including reports, briefings, legislative summaries, and web content
- Assist with policy research and background analysis on energy topics assigned by the Executive Director
- Track relevant legislation, regulatory proceedings, and industry developments, and produce summary materials
- Assist in preparation for board meetings, working committee meetings, and stakeholder briefings
- Support maintenance and updates to EPIC’s energy data platforms and dashboards
- Draft correspondence, talking points, and other written materials as directed
- Perform other duties in support of EPIC’s mission as assigned
The University of Kentucky is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities and other persons underrepresented in sciences, technology, engineering and math are encouraged to apply.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
- Strong writing and research skills
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Interest in energy policy, public administration, environmental studies, or a related field
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience
Deadline to Apply: 08/13/2026
Our University Community
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Job Title: Undergraduate Communications Intern - EPIC/CAER
Requisition Number: DU14490
Department Name: 40550:Ctr For Applied Energy Res
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Salary Range: $15.00/hour
Type of Position: Student
Position Time Status: Part-Time
Required Education
HS diploma + 0 years of experience.
Required Related Experience
- Coursework or prior experience in energy, environmental policy, public policy, communications, or a related discipline
- Familiarity with Kentucky state and federal government or the energy sector
- Experience with data visualization tools or ability to learn quickly
- Graduate students or rising juniors/seniors preferred; all class levels welcome to apply
Required License/Registration/Certification
N/A
Physical Requirements
Requires handling lightweight objects up to 10lbs: standing and walking
Shift
8:00am – 5:00pm Monday-Friday
Job Summary
The Kentucky Energy Planning and Inventory Commission (EPIC) is an independent state agency established by the 2024 Kentucky General Assembly under KRS 164.2807. EPIC is administratively attached to the University of Kentucky’s Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) and is charged with providing independent, data-driven analysis to inform state energy policy. EPIC’s work spans three analytical pillars: demand forecasting, primary energy supply assessment, and transmission infrastructure.
This internship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a first-of-its-kind state energy planning agency at a pivotal moment in Kentucky’s energy future.
EPIC seeks motivated students to fill a rotating internship position supporting the agency’s communications and policy research functions. The intern will work directly with the Executive Director and contribute to EPIC’s public-facing communications, legislative support, and analytical research across energy topics including electricity supply adequacy, power plant retirements, data center energy demand, and transmission infrastructure.
Term Dates
Fall 2026 | Mid-August 2026 (August 24) | Mid-December 2026 (December 11) | ~16 weeks
Spring 2027 | Mid-January 2027 (January 11) | Early May 2027 (May 7) | ~17 weeks
This position is well-suited for a student with interests in energy policy, public administration, environmental studies, communications, or a related field who wants hands-on experience in state government and energy planning.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Support the development of public communications, including reports, briefings, legislative summaries, and web content
- Assist with policy research and background analysis on energy topics assigned by the Executive Director
- Track relevant legislation, regulatory proceedings, and industry developments, and produce summary materials
- Assist in preparation for board meetings, working committee meetings, and stakeholder briefings
- Support maintenance and updates to EPIC’s energy data platforms and dashboards
- Draft correspondence, talking points, and other written materials as directed
- Perform other duties in support of EPIC’s mission as assigned
The University of Kentucky is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities and other persons underrepresented in sciences, technology, engineering and math are encouraged to apply.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
- Strong writing and research skills
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Interest in energy policy, public administration, environmental studies, or a related field
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience
Deadline to Apply: 08/13/2026
Our University Community
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Communications
Align your documents to J-1 training goals
Your resume, portfolio, and degree transcripts need to map directly to a structured training plan. Sponsors evaluate whether your communications background justifies each phase of on-the-job learning, so generic application materials rarely clear that bar.
Distinguish Intern from Trainee before applying
Intern status requires current enrollment or graduation within the past 12 months. If you graduated earlier, you need the Trainee category, which requires at least one year of post-degree professional communications experience outside the U.S.
Search Migrate Mate to find J-1-aligned roles
Not every communications employer understands the host-organization model or is willing to execute a training plan. Use Migrate Mate to surface U.S. employers already familiar with J-1 visa exchange visitor arrangements in communications and media.
Verify your role qualifies as specialty communications work
J-1 Trainee placements in communications must involve substantive skill development, not clerical support. Cross-reference your job duties against the O*NET occupation profile for your target title to confirm the role meets the program's training-orientation standard.
Confirm your host employer will sign the training plan
Before a designated sponsor issues your DS-2019, your host employer must co-sign a detailed training plan outlining objectives, supervision, and evaluation checkpoints. Get written confirmation from a hiring manager or HR contact that they'll complete this step.
Check whether your category carries a home-residency requirement
Some J-1 participants in government-funded or skills-shortage categories must return home for two years after the program ends. Review the DS-2019 your sponsor issues to confirm whether the two-year requirement applies to your specific communications placement.
Communications J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a communications professional?
It depends on where you are in your career. Current students or recent graduates within 12 months of their degree typically qualify under the Intern category. Communications professionals with at least one year of post-degree work experience outside the U.S. fall under the Trainee category, which covers roles in public relations, media, corporate communications, and content strategy.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa in communications, the employer or a separate organization?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization such as CIEE, Cultural Vistas, or AIPT. That organization issues your DS-2019 form and monitors program compliance. Your host employer, the communications company or agency where you work, is not the legal sponsor. Both parties sign your training plan, but only the designated sponsor holds responsibility for your J-1 status.
How do I find U.S. communications employers willing to host a J-1 exchange visitor?
Migrate Mate is the recommended starting point for identifying U.S. employers in communications who are already familiar with the J-1 host-organization model. Many employers in advertising, public affairs, and digital media have hosted J-1 participants before, but they don't always advertise that openness. Filtering by role type helps you find positions where sponsorship is a realistic outcome rather than an afterthought.
Does the two-year home-residency requirement affect communications trainees?
It can. The two-year home-residency requirement applies when your program is funded by your home government, the U.S. government, or when your occupation appears on a skills-shortage list tied to your home country. Communications roles don't automatically trigger it, but you should check your DS-2019 and confirm your category with your designated sponsor before assuming you can transition directly to another visa status after the program.
What does a J-1 training plan require for a communications placement?
The training plan must detail specific skill objectives tied to communications disciplines, such as media strategy, content production, or public relations. It outlines supervision arrangements, evaluation timelines, and the progression of responsibilities over the placement period. Your host employer co-signs the plan, and the designated sponsor reviews it for compliance before issuing the DS-2019. Vague or clerical-sounding duties are common reasons sponsors reject proposed placements.