J-1 Visa Public Relations Specialist Jobs
Public Relations Specialist roles in the U.S. are accessible to international professionals through J-1 visa sponsorship, most commonly under the Trainee or Specialist program category. Designated sponsors issue your DS-2019 once a host employer agrees to your training or exchange plan.
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Get Access To All JobsAPPLICATION 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
Penn State University Libraries’ Public Relations and Marketing Office is seeking an outgoing, collaborative, creative student with excellent multimedia/video communication skills to work with the department team. The successful candidate will promote the University Libraries’ strategic initiatives, services, and resources in marketing communications contexts.
The successful candidate, with a minimum 3.0 GPA, will demonstrate a sincere commitment to work independently under deadlines with remote supervision. This candidate will serve as a part-time Public Relations and Marketing multimedia communications intern with primary responsibility for the creation of a portfolio of professional-quality, original short video content in support of Libraries initiatives and strategic goals that also illustrates to students what makes the Libraries a unified set of distinctive locations with first-rate resources and services for academic and research purposes.
Responsibilities include recording, editing, and publicly releasing frequent and regular promotional, social media and news feature-style video content for a variety of audiences, but centered on students. Experience creating original candid photography and excellent written communication skills are preferred skills. The intern will be expected to work between 10 and 15 hours per week during summer 2026 then 15 hours per week effective during fall 2026 through spring 2027 semesters with an excellent possibility of a one-year extension.
Applicants are asked to please include a cover letter, resume, two original video samples they believe most closely align with the job description, and two relevant and original digital images demonstrating their photojournalistic abilities.
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.
Penn State Policies
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Hotlines
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
Penn State University Libraries’ Public Relations and Marketing Office is seeking an outgoing, collaborative, creative student with excellent multimedia/video communication skills to work with the department team. The successful candidate will promote the University Libraries’ strategic initiatives, services, and resources in marketing communications contexts.
The successful candidate, with a minimum 3.0 GPA, will demonstrate a sincere commitment to work independently under deadlines with remote supervision. This candidate will serve as a part-time Public Relations and Marketing multimedia communications intern with primary responsibility for the creation of a portfolio of professional-quality, original short video content in support of Libraries initiatives and strategic goals that also illustrates to students what makes the Libraries a unified set of distinctive locations with first-rate resources and services for academic and research purposes.
Responsibilities include recording, editing, and publicly releasing frequent and regular promotional, social media and news feature-style video content for a variety of audiences, but centered on students. Experience creating original candid photography and excellent written communication skills are preferred skills. The intern will be expected to work between 10 and 15 hours per week during summer 2026 then 15 hours per week effective during fall 2026 through spring 2027 semesters with an excellent possibility of a one-year extension.
Applicants are asked to please include a cover letter, resume, two original video samples they believe most closely align with the job description, and two relevant and original digital images demonstrating their photojournalistic abilities.
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.
Penn State Policies
Copyright Information
Hotlines
See all J-1 Visa Public Relations Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Public Relations Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Public Relations Specialist
Document your PR credentials before applying
Compile a portfolio of campaigns, media placements, and measurable outcomes before you approach host employers. J-1 visa Trainee and Specialist categories require proof of relevant education or professional background, and a thin portfolio slows sponsor review.
Target host employers with international communications teams
PR agencies and corporate communications departments that already manage multilingual campaigns or global media relations are more comfortable hosting J-1 exchange visitors. Use Migrate Mate to filter for U.S. employers whose roles align with your PR specialization.
Distinguish Trainee from Specialist before approaching sponsors
If you graduated within the last year or are still enrolled, the Trainee category fits. The Specialist category applies to professionals with at least five years of specialized PR experience. Applying under the wrong category delays your DS-2019 and can require restarting the sponsor review.
Build a training plan tied to U.S. PR methods
Designated sponsors such as Cultural Vistas or CIEE require a detailed training plan showing what U.S.-specific skills you'll gain, not just a job description. Frame your plan around American media relations practices, FTC disclosure standards, or digital PR tools your home country doesn't use.
Confirm the home residency requirement applies to your situation
Some J-1 Specialist and Trainee participants are subject to a two-year home residency requirement after their program ends, depending on government funding or skills lists. Verify your status with your designated sponsor before accepting an offer that assumes you can extend or change status immediately.
Align your offer letter language with sponsor requirements
Ask your host employer to specify your PR duties, supervision structure, and program start and end dates in the offer letter. Designated sponsors use this document to draft the DS-2019 and training plan, and vague language about duties or timelines is the most common reason applications stall.
Public Relations Specialist J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a Public Relations Specialist role?
Most Public Relations Specialist positions fall under the J-1 Trainee category if you have a degree and less than one year of post-graduation experience, or the Specialist category if you have at least five years of specialized PR experience. Recent graduates pursuing structured training at a U.S. PR agency typically qualify as Trainees, while senior communications professionals with a documented specialty use the Specialist category.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for a PR role, the employer or a government organization?
The J-1 visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, such as Cultural Vistas, CIEE, or IIE, not the hiring employer. The employer acts as the host and agrees to your training plan, but the designated sponsor issues your DS-2019 form, monitors your program compliance, and holds legal responsibility for your exchange. You need both a willing host employer and an approved sponsor organization.
How do I find U.S. employers open to hosting a J-1 Public Relations Specialist?
Search for PR agencies, corporate communications departments, and nonprofit communications teams that have prior experience with international staff or exchange programs. Migrate Mate lets you search U.S. employer roles specifically aligned with J-1 sponsorship, which shortens the time you'd otherwise spend screening employers who aren't familiar with the host employer process.
Does the two-year home residency requirement apply to J-1 Public Relations Specialists?
It depends on your funding source and your home country's skills list. If your J-1 program is funded by a U.S. government agency or your home government, or if your home country has designated PR as a skill in short supply, the two-year home residency requirement likely applies. Your designated sponsor will flag this in your DS-2019, and you'll need to satisfy or waive the requirement before changing to another visa status.
What should a training plan for a J-1 PR Specialist actually include?
Your training plan needs to go beyond a standard job description. It should outline specific U.S. PR competencies you'll develop, such as American media pitch formats, crisis communications protocols, or digital analytics platforms common in the U.S. market. Designated sponsors require a phase-by-phase breakdown of activities, supervisors responsible for each phase, and measurable learning objectives. Generic duty lists that mirror a regular employment agreement are routinely rejected.