Career Counselor Jobs for OPT Students
Career Counselor roles at universities and workforce agencies regularly hire on OPT, particularly for candidates with degrees in counseling, psychology, higher education, or social work. Your 12-month OPT window is enough to complete a full hiring cycle, and STEM OPT extension eligibility depends on your specific degree classification.
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Get Access To All JobsSALARY: $43,888 annually
Schedule – Full Time, 8hr shifts, flexible schedule
Our staff also enjoy these benefits:
- Health, dental, vision, prescription drug, and life insurance
- Short & long-term disability
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Paid time off and paid holidays
- Professional development assistance
- Career advancement opportunities
MTC is proud to operate the Tongue Point Job Corps Center in Astoria, OR where our staff provide quality services to our local youth. We value our professional and caring employees who are dedicated to improving people’s lives and we want YOU to join our team!
What you will be doing: You’ll be responsible for the planning, coordinating, developing, and implementing a professional individual and group counseling program for assigned students, in compliance with government and management directives.
Essential functions:
- Review detailed background file, conduct personal interviews and assessments as necessary to analyze and recommend a program for each assigned student
- Maintain individual folder on each assigned student
- Provide direct aid to students with personal needs or problems, sickness, injury, family problems, emergency leaves or UA retrievals, Prepare UA reports and leave forms, verify required information in accordance with PRH and MTC requirements
- Provide continuous educational, CTT, personal and social adjustment counseling on an individual and group basis; recommend necessary program modifications throughout each assigned student’s stay
- Conduct continuous interpretation and evaluation of progress in student’s specific development program, coordinate problem cases and point out areas in which guidance and development techniques can be improved. Maintain up to date documentation, case notes and records using CIS, as well as other systems of documentation
- Recommend medical or psychiatric evaluation for emotional or psychological problems. Participate as a member of the mental health case management team. Refer students to other program areas such as transfers, extensions or advanced programs, and college placement
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree including 15 semester hours in social services related instruction and one (1) year experience in counseling or related field required
- Experience with youth, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and computer proficiency required
- Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record
Management & Training Corporation (MTC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, disabled status, veteran status, genetic information, national origin, or any other category protected by federal law. MTC participates in E-Verify. We strive to provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities, including disabled veterans, in our job application and hiring process. If you are interested in employment opportunities with Management & Training Corporation and need assistance, please contact our staffing department through customersupport@mtctrains.com or 801-693-2888.
SALARY: $43,888 annually
Schedule – Full Time, 8hr shifts, flexible schedule
Our staff also enjoy these benefits:
- Health, dental, vision, prescription drug, and life insurance
- Short & long-term disability
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Paid time off and paid holidays
- Professional development assistance
- Career advancement opportunities
MTC is proud to operate the Tongue Point Job Corps Center in Astoria, OR where our staff provide quality services to our local youth. We value our professional and caring employees who are dedicated to improving people’s lives and we want YOU to join our team!
What you will be doing: You’ll be responsible for the planning, coordinating, developing, and implementing a professional individual and group counseling program for assigned students, in compliance with government and management directives.
Essential functions:
- Review detailed background file, conduct personal interviews and assessments as necessary to analyze and recommend a program for each assigned student
- Maintain individual folder on each assigned student
- Provide direct aid to students with personal needs or problems, sickness, injury, family problems, emergency leaves or UA retrievals, Prepare UA reports and leave forms, verify required information in accordance with PRH and MTC requirements
- Provide continuous educational, CTT, personal and social adjustment counseling on an individual and group basis; recommend necessary program modifications throughout each assigned student’s stay
- Conduct continuous interpretation and evaluation of progress in student’s specific development program, coordinate problem cases and point out areas in which guidance and development techniques can be improved. Maintain up to date documentation, case notes and records using CIS, as well as other systems of documentation
- Recommend medical or psychiatric evaluation for emotional or psychological problems. Participate as a member of the mental health case management team. Refer students to other program areas such as transfers, extensions or advanced programs, and college placement
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree including 15 semester hours in social services related instruction and one (1) year experience in counseling or related field required
- Experience with youth, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and computer proficiency required
- Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record
Management & Training Corporation (MTC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, disabled status, veteran status, genetic information, national origin, or any other category protected by federal law. MTC participates in E-Verify. We strive to provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities, including disabled veterans, in our job application and hiring process. If you are interested in employment opportunities with Management & Training Corporation and need assistance, please contact our staffing department through customersupport@mtctrains.com or 801-693-2888.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Career Counselor
Target higher education institutions first
Colleges and universities hire Career Counselors frequently and are experienced with OPT work authorization. They often have dedicated HR staff who understand F-1 employment rules, making the hiring process smoother than with smaller private employers.
Lead with your degree field in applications
Career Counselor roles typically require a degree in counseling, psychology, or higher education. Clearly stating your field on your resume helps hiring managers immediately confirm your OPT work authorization is tied to a directly relevant qualification.
Apply before your OPT start date when possible
Many university hiring cycles run three to four months. Submit applications at least 60 days before your OPT begins so offers can be extended and onboarding completed without gaps in your authorized employment period.
Clarify your STEM OPT eligibility upfront
Counseling and psychology programs are generally not STEM-designated, so most Career Counselor OPT holders have 12 months. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before telling employers what your authorization period covers.
Emphasize cross-cultural advising experience
International students bring direct insight into navigating U.S. academic and professional systems. Framing your own experience as an asset for advising diverse student populations addresses a genuine employer need and differentiates you from domestic candidates.
Confirm the employer can verify E-Verify enrollment
OPT employment is lawful without E-Verify, but STEM OPT extension requires an E-Verify employer. If you're pursuing a STEM-adjacent program or want flexibility, confirm enrollment status early rather than after an offer is made.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Career Counselor on OPT with a counseling or psychology degree?
Yes. Career Counselor positions directly align with degrees in counseling, psychology, higher education administration, and social work, all of which support standard OPT work authorization. Your employment must be in a role related to your degree field, and counseling students into career paths satisfies that requirement clearly. Your DSO can confirm the connection if an employer asks.
Do Career Counselor employers typically understand OPT authorization?
Universities and colleges, the most common Career Counselor employers, generally have strong familiarity with OPT because they already employ international students and staff. Nonprofit workforce agencies vary. Smaller private career coaching firms may need more explanation. When browsing opportunities on Migrate Mate, you can filter for employers already experienced with OPT sponsorship to reduce friction in the hiring process.
What happens to my OPT if I move from one Career Counselor role to another?
You can change employers on OPT without filing any new applications, but you must report the change to your DSO within 10 days so your SEVIS record stays current. The new role still needs to be related to your degree field. A gap between positions is permissible up to 90 cumulative days of unemployment before your OPT is terminated.
Is part-time Career Counselor work allowed on OPT?
Yes, OPT permits part-time work of at least one hour per week, though most university Career Counselor roles are full-time. Working part-time still counts toward your 90-day unemployment limit, since any authorized employment pauses that clock. If you hold multiple part-time positions, each must be related to your degree field.
What should I do if my OPT expires before securing a Career Counselor role?
If your 12-month OPT period ends without a qualifying offer, you enter a 60-day grace period during which you cannot work. You would need to transition to a new status, such as a cap-gap extension if an H-1B petition is pending, or return home and continue applying. Planning your job search well before expiration is critical. Career Counselor roles in higher education sometimes take four to six months from application to start date, so early applications matter.
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