OPT Correspondent Jobs
Correspondent roles are available to F-1 OPT students with degrees in journalism, communications, or international studies. Your OPT work authorization must directly relate to your field of study, and STEM OPT extension is not available for this role, so the standard 12-month OPT window applies.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
WTEN/WXXA-TV, in Albany, New York is looking for an experienced Reporter with a strong political interest and focus on breaking political news stories. This position will be responsible for generating daily in-depth content that will be provided to 8 stations across New York State. This reporter will need to be aggressive when questioning lawmakers, conduct lengthy research, and create several stories a day. The office is based at the NYS Capitol in Albany, but work is not limited to that location. This reporter will travel when necessary to be the face of stories impacting different regions of the state. This may include regular trips to the other Nexstar markets they serve. A minimum of two years of on-air reporting/shooting/editing experience plus a college degree are required. A background in political science is preferred. The reporter will also make weekly contributions to our statewide program “Empire State Weekly.” Creative writing/storytelling skills are essential along with a willingness to work hard to get the story. The ideal candidate has plenty of live experience and thrives in a competitive environment.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Reports news stories for broadcast, describing the background and details of events
- Arranges interviews with people who can provide information about stories
- Reviews copy and corrects errors in content, grammar and punctuation, following prescribed editorial style and formatting guidelines
- Reviews and evaluates notes taken about event aspects to isolate pertinent facts and details
- Determines a story’s emphasis, length and format, and organizes material accordingly
- Researches and analyzes background information related to news stories to be able to provide complete and accurate information
- Gathers information about events through research, interviews, experience or attendance at political, news, sports, artistic, social or other functions
- Pitches stories to news managers and news producers which are relevant to the local community
- Receives assignments and evaluates leads and tips to develop story ideas
- Discusses issues with producers and/or news managers to establish priorities or positions
- Checks reference materials such as books, news files or public records to obtain relevant facts
- Revises work to meet editorial approval or to fit time requirements
- Shoots and edits news events and news reports
- Produces and presents reports for all platforms
- Ensures that all content meets company standards for journalistic integrity and production quality
- Writes stories for the web and other eMedia platforms
- Interacts with viewers/users on social media sites
- Performs special projects and other duties as assigned
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience
- Fluency in English
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written with the ability to ad lib when required
- Minimum two years’ experience in news reporting (Depending on market size)
- Superior on-air presence
- Proficiency with computers, telephones, copiers, scanners, fax machines and other office equipment
- Ability to meet deadlines, prioritize assignments and handle multiple tasks simultaneously
- Valid driver’s license with a good driving record
- Flexibility to work any shift
BENEFITS
Hourly Rate: $25.00 - $29.00
We offer a competitive compensation plan and an array of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(K), and more.
INTRODUCTION
WTEN/WXXA-TV, in Albany, New York is looking for an experienced Reporter with a strong political interest and focus on breaking political news stories. This position will be responsible for generating daily in-depth content that will be provided to 8 stations across New York State. This reporter will need to be aggressive when questioning lawmakers, conduct lengthy research, and create several stories a day. The office is based at the NYS Capitol in Albany, but work is not limited to that location. This reporter will travel when necessary to be the face of stories impacting different regions of the state. This may include regular trips to the other Nexstar markets they serve. A minimum of two years of on-air reporting/shooting/editing experience plus a college degree are required. A background in political science is preferred. The reporter will also make weekly contributions to our statewide program “Empire State Weekly.” Creative writing/storytelling skills are essential along with a willingness to work hard to get the story. The ideal candidate has plenty of live experience and thrives in a competitive environment.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Reports news stories for broadcast, describing the background and details of events
- Arranges interviews with people who can provide information about stories
- Reviews copy and corrects errors in content, grammar and punctuation, following prescribed editorial style and formatting guidelines
- Reviews and evaluates notes taken about event aspects to isolate pertinent facts and details
- Determines a story’s emphasis, length and format, and organizes material accordingly
- Researches and analyzes background information related to news stories to be able to provide complete and accurate information
- Gathers information about events through research, interviews, experience or attendance at political, news, sports, artistic, social or other functions
- Pitches stories to news managers and news producers which are relevant to the local community
- Receives assignments and evaluates leads and tips to develop story ideas
- Discusses issues with producers and/or news managers to establish priorities or positions
- Checks reference materials such as books, news files or public records to obtain relevant facts
- Revises work to meet editorial approval or to fit time requirements
- Shoots and edits news events and news reports
- Produces and presents reports for all platforms
- Ensures that all content meets company standards for journalistic integrity and production quality
- Writes stories for the web and other eMedia platforms
- Interacts with viewers/users on social media sites
- Performs special projects and other duties as assigned
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience
- Fluency in English
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written with the ability to ad lib when required
- Minimum two years’ experience in news reporting (Depending on market size)
- Superior on-air presence
- Proficiency with computers, telephones, copiers, scanners, fax machines and other office equipment
- Ability to meet deadlines, prioritize assignments and handle multiple tasks simultaneously
- Valid driver’s license with a good driving record
- Flexibility to work any shift
BENEFITS
Hourly Rate: $25.00 - $29.00
We offer a competitive compensation plan and an array of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(K), and more.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Correspondent
Lead with your reporting portfolio
Employers hiring correspondents evaluate published clips before anything else. Compile bylined articles, broadcast segments, or multimedia pieces that demonstrate field reporting, source development, and clear storytelling under deadline pressure.
Be transparent about your OPT timeline
Correspondent roles require ongoing employer authorization. Tell hiring managers upfront that you hold F-1 OPT and clarify your end date. Newsrooms that have hired international reporters before will understand what authorization continuation requires after OPT expires.
Target newsrooms with international hiring history
Larger outlets, wire services, and public broadcasters are more familiar with work authorization processes. Organizations with foreign bureaus or multilingual desks often have HR infrastructure that handles international journalists and visa documentation efficiently.
Highlight language skills and regional expertise
Fluency in a second language or deep knowledge of a specific region significantly strengthens your candidacy. Employers value correspondents who can cover underreported areas or conduct interviews that English-only reporters cannot, creating a clear business case for sponsorship.
Verify your degree ties directly to the role
USCIS requires OPT employment to be directly related to your major. A journalism or communications degree maps cleanly to correspondent work. If your degree is in a related but less obvious field, prepare a brief explanation of the connection before your interview.
Apply early relative to your OPT start date
Onboarding at media organizations takes time. Start applying at least two to three months before your OPT authorization begins so hiring, credentialing, and paperwork align with your legal work start date without gaps that could jeopardize your status.
Correspondent OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a correspondent on F-1 OPT?
Yes, as long as the correspondent role directly relates to your field of study. Journalism, communications, international studies, and political science degrees commonly satisfy this requirement. You must have your OPT Employment Authorization Document before your first day of work. Freelance correspondent arrangements are permitted, but you must track your hours carefully since OPT requires you to work at least 20 hours per week.
Is the STEM OPT extension available for correspondent jobs?
No. Correspondent roles fall under journalism and media, which are not STEM-designated fields. That means you are limited to the standard 12-month OPT period. Planning your transition to H-1B visa or another visa well before your OPT end date is essential. Some employers in media are willing to sponsor O-1A or H-1B petitions for journalists with strong editorial track records.
Can I work as a freelance or independent correspondent on OPT?
Yes, self-employment is permitted on OPT. As a freelance correspondent you can contribute to multiple outlets, provided all work relates directly to your degree field. You are responsible for tracking your own employment hours and maintaining documentation showing active engagement. You should report self-employment to your DSO, who will update your SEVIS record accordingly to keep your status valid.
Where can I find correspondent jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is the recommended platform for F-1 OPT students searching for correspondent roles. The job board surfaces opportunities from employers with a demonstrated history of hiring international candidates, saving you time filtering through postings where OPT is not a realistic option. Searching there lets you focus your applications on newsrooms and media organizations already familiar with work authorization processes.
What happens to my OPT status if a correspondent contract ends between assignments?
OPT allows up to 90 days of cumulative unemployment, not per gap but across your entire OPT period. If your contract ends, that unemployment clock starts immediately. Short gaps between freelance assignments are common in journalism, so tracking your days carefully is critical. Securing your next assignment or a part-time reporting role before the 90-day threshold protects your status from falling out of compliance.