J-1 Visa Graduate Jobs
Graduate positions in the United States are available to international candidates through the J-1 visa under the Intern or Trainee program category, depending on whether you're currently enrolled or recently graduated. A U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization issues your DS-2019 and arranges sponsorship, your host employer is separate from that sponsor.
Find J-1 Visa Graduate JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 88+ Graduate jobs
See all 88+ Graduate Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Graduate roles.
Get Access To All JobsPosition Information
Posting Number PG196042TM
Position Number 06MBB43
Position Type Temporary
Essential Job Duties
This internship is primarily a communications, storytelling, and outreach design role. This project aims to strengthen coastal flood monitoring by improving water level sensor placement and use of real-time data across coastal North Carolina. A key component of this effort is community outreach and education, ensuring residents understand how to access and use flood-related data.
Is Time Limited No
If Yes, Appointment Length
Wolfpack Perks and Benefits
As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.
What we offer:
- Health Insurance for Temporary Employees
- Enhance your career with LEAD courses
- Attend non-revenue generating sporting events for free.
Attain work-life balance with our Childcare discounts, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.
Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.
Department Information
Job City & State Wilmington, NC
Department North Carolina Sea Grant
System Information
Classification Title Temporary-Professional NonFaculty
Working Title Graduate Student Science Outreach Intern
Position Information
Posting Number PG196042TM
Position Number 06MBB43
Position Type Temporary
Essential Job Duties
This internship is primarily a communications, storytelling, and outreach design role. This project aims to strengthen coastal flood monitoring by improving water level sensor placement and use of real-time data across coastal North Carolina. A key component of this effort is community outreach and education, ensuring residents understand how to access and use flood-related data.
Is Time Limited No
If Yes, Appointment Length
Wolfpack Perks and Benefits
As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.
What we offer:
- Health Insurance for Temporary Employees
- Enhance your career with LEAD courses
- Attend non-revenue generating sporting events for free.
Attain work-life balance with our Childcare discounts, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.
Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.
Department Information
Job City & State Wilmington, NC
Department North Carolina Sea Grant
System Information
Classification Title Temporary-Professional NonFaculty
Working Title Graduate Student Science Outreach Intern
See all 88+ J-1 Visa Graduate Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Graduate Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Graduate
Confirm your program category before applying
The J-1 visa Intern category requires current enrollment or graduation within the past 12 months. If you graduated more than a year ago, you'll need the Trainee category instead. Applying under the wrong category causes delays and can void your DS-2019.
Check whether the 2-year rule applies
Some Graduate roles in government-funded fields or home-country shortage occupations trigger the 2-year home residency requirement. Confirm with your designated sponsor before accepting any offer, since this affects future H-1B visa or green card eligibility.
Build a training plan that matches your degree
Your designated sponsor needs a detailed training plan tied directly to your academic field. Graduate-level positions require documentation showing how the work builds on your degree, not just general professional development. Vague plans get rejected or trigger additional review.
Target host employers with J-1 experience
Search for Graduate roles on Migrate Mate to identify U.S. employers already familiar with hosting J-1 exchange visitors. Employers new to the program often underestimate the training plan and compliance documentation they must provide as a host organization.
Secure a signed offer before contacting sponsors
Designated sponsor organizations such as CIEE or Cultural Vistas cannot issue your DS-2019 without a confirmed host employer and a signed training agreement in place. Reaching out before you have an offer letter delays the process and often goes unanswered.
Verify the host employer's prevailing wage compliance
Your J-1 compensation must meet applicable wage standards. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the prevailing wage for your specific Graduate role and location before your offer is finalized, so there are no surprises during the sponsor's compliance review.
Graduate J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category covers Graduate positions?
Most Graduate positions fall under the J-1 Intern category if you're currently enrolled in a degree program or graduated within the past 12 months. If you completed your degree more than a year ago, the Trainee category applies instead. The distinction matters because each category has different maximum duration limits and eligibility requirements set by the U.S. Department of State.
Who is the actual visa sponsor for a J-1 Graduate position?
Your visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, such as CIEE, Cultural Vistas, or IIE, not your host employer. The designated sponsor issues your DS-2019 form, monitors program compliance, and acts as your legal sponsor throughout your exchange period. Your host employer is where you work, but they are not the sponsoring entity under the J-1 program.
How do I find U.S. employers open to hosting J-1 Graduate interns?
Use Migrate Mate to search for Graduate roles at U.S. employers already familiar with J-1 program requirements. Many employers are willing to host J-1 exchange visitors but don't advertise it prominently. Targeting organizations with prior J-1 hosting experience shortens the onboarding process because they already have relationships with designated sponsor organizations and understand the training plan documentation required.
Does a Graduate J-1 position trigger the 2-year home residency requirement?
It depends on your home country and the funding source for your position. Graduate roles funded by the U.S. government or your home country's government, or roles in fields your home country has designated as shortage areas, typically trigger the 2-year requirement. This means you must return home for two years before applying for certain U.S. visas, including H-1B or immigrant visas. Confirm this with your designated sponsor before accepting any offer.
What does the training plan for a Graduate J-1 position need to include?
Your designated sponsor requires a structured training plan, typically on Form DS-7002, that connects your Graduate-level work directly to your academic field and career goals. The plan must list specific learning objectives, supervision details, and measurable benchmarks. Generic descriptions of job duties don't satisfy the requirement. Your host employer prepares this in coordination with the designated sponsor, and it must be signed before your DS-2019 is issued.