J-1 Visa Communications Associate Jobs
Communications Associate roles in the United States are accessible to exchange visitors through the J-1 visa Trainee or Intern program categories, depending on your career stage. Finding a host employer willing to support your J-1 sponsorship through a State Department-designated sponsor organization is the first practical step toward a placement.
Find J-1 Visa Communications Associate JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 60+ Communications Associate jobs










See all 60+ Communications Associate Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Communications Associate roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
-
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.
-
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.
-
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 J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School is seeking a creative, organized, and motivated student (graduate or undergraduate) to serve as a Marketing Communications Intern. This position will support the school’s Marketing and Strategic Communications team through strategic content creation, social media management, event promotion, and digital communications.
This internship offers hands-on experience working with a collaborative communications team focused on telling the stories of graduate students, faculty, staff, and alumni while promoting the impact and initiatives of the Fox Graduate School.
Responsibilities
The primary responsibility for the position is social media and content creation, which includes:
- Create engaging written, visual, and video content for Instagram, LinkedIn, and other platforms
- Capture photos and short-form video clips featuring graduate students, faculty, staff, and alumni
- Assist in maintaining an editorial calendar and publishing schedule
- Monitor engagement and support community management efforts
- Research trends and recommend new ideas, tools, or platforms
Additional responsibilities may include the following, based on the candidate’s skills, experiences, and interests, such as:
- Developing promotional materials for Fox Graduate School initiatives and events (e.g., Graduate Exhibition, Three Minute Thesis, Summer Research Opportunities Program, commencement activities, workshops)
- Supporting event marketing campaigns across digital and print channels
- Assisting with on-site event coverage, including live posting and photography
- Helping to update and manage website content
- Drafting news and feature stories
- Drafting and testing promotional emails
- Supporting copyediting and proofreading of marketing materials
- Ensuring content aligns with Penn State brand standards
- Developing analytics reports
Qualifications
- Enrolled undergraduate or graduate student in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, business, English, or a related field
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Experience with social media platforms and content creation tools
- Familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud
- Basic photography and/or videography skills preferred
- Comfort with analytics tools (e.g., platform insights, Google Analytics)
- Highly organized, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple projects
- Willingness to learn new tools and adapt to evolving priorities
Compensation and Time Commitment
This is a paid internship, $15 per hour, for 10 hours per week during the fall 2026 semester with possibility of extending into the spring semester.
To Apply
Please submit a resume, cover letter, and 3–5 samples of relevant work (writing, social media posts, graphics, video, or other marketing materials). Applications without these required documents will not be reviewed.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
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.
See all 60+ J-1 Visa Communications Associate Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Communications Associate Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Communications Associate
Frame your portfolio around U.S. media standards
Designated sponsors and host employers evaluate your training plan against U.S. communications norms. Organize writing samples, press releases, and campaign work to show fluency with AP Style and digital-first storytelling before your DS-2019 application begins.
Confirm your program category before applying
Current students in a degree program typically qualify under the Intern category, while early-career professionals with a communications degree and at least one year of work experience fall under Trainee. Applying under the wrong category delays your DS-2019 issuance.
Target host employers with existing DS-2019 relationships
Search Migrate Mate to identify U.S. employers that have previously hosted J-1 exchange visitors in communications or media roles, narrowing your outreach to organizations already familiar with the host-employer obligations and training plan requirements.
Build a training plan before you negotiate your offer
Your designated sponsor requires a detailed Training or Internship Placement Plan outlining specific skills you'll develop each month. Draft a communications-specific version covering media relations, content production, and stakeholder engagement before your offer letter is finalized.
Check whether your role triggers the two-year home residency requirement
J-1 exchange visitors funded by their home government or whose field appears on the Exchange Visitor Skills List may face a two-year home residency requirement after their program ends. Confirm your country's skills list status with your designated sponsor before accepting the placement.
Verify your host employer's compliance obligations upfront
Host employers in the J-1 Trainee category must maintain records, evaluate your progress, and cooperate with your designated sponsor's monitoring visits. Ask directly whether the communications team has a point of contact for sponsor compliance before you sign any agreement.
Communications Associate J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to a Communications Associate role?
The category depends on your current status. If you're enrolled in a degree program and the role is part of your coursework or practical training, the Intern category applies. If you've completed your degree and have at least one year of communications work experience, the Trainee category is the correct fit. Your designated sponsor confirms the category and issues the DS-2019 accordingly.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for a Communications Associate position?
The J-1 visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, such as Cultural Vistas, CIEE, or AIPT, not the hiring employer. The employer acts as your host, providing the communications work and signing the training plan. The designated sponsor issues your DS-2019, monitors program compliance, and remains your official sponsor throughout the placement.
How do I find U.S. employers open to hosting a J-1 Communications Associate?
Many employers are unfamiliar with J-1 hosting requirements, so targeting those with prior exchange visitor experience shortens your search significantly. Migrate Mate lets you filter for U.S. roles and employers that align with J-1 sponsorship categories, so you can focus outreach on organizations already comfortable with the host-employer obligations specific to communications placements.
Can a Communications Associate role trigger the two-year home residency requirement?
It can, depending on your nationality and funding source. If your home country lists communications or media on the Exchange Visitor Skills List, or if your program is government-funded, you may be required to return home for two years before changing to most other U.S. visa statuses. Confirm this with your designated sponsor before accepting any offer, since it affects long-term U.S. career plans.
What does the training plan need to cover for a J-1 Communications Associate placement?
The Training or Internship Placement Plan must detail the specific communications skills you'll develop, the timeline for each phase, the supervision structure, and the tools or platforms involved. For a Communications Associate, this typically covers media relations, content creation, internal communications, and stakeholder outreach. Your designated sponsor reviews the plan before issuing the DS-2019, and vague or generic plans are routinely returned for revision.