OPT Entry Level Jobs
Entry-level roles are the most common starting point for OPT students, and a growing number of employers actively recruit new graduates specifically because the OPT period gives both sides time to evaluate fit before long-term sponsorship becomes a conversation. Targeting companies with established new graduate programs and a history of H-1B visa filings gives you the clearest path from your first role to long-term work authorization.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Colas Inc. is the corporate office of Colas USA, a materials and heavy highway/infrastructure leader that began operations in 1979 with the acquisition of Barrett Paving Materials. The headquarters office of Colas Inc. is located in Morristown, New Jersey, but our employees also work within our five (5) subsidiary companies operating throughout the United States from New York to Alaska.
The Colas USA Family of Companies provides competitive pay, outstanding benefits, career advancement opportunities, professional education, and extensive training for every employee. We pride ourselves on upholding the highest standards of safety, environmental conservation, and ethical conduct as we strive to grow our infrastructure products and services through empowering and developing our people, fostering innovation, utilizing new technology, and maximizing vertical integration at all levels of the company’s value chain.
JOB SUMMARY
Colas USA has ambitious and exciting growth plans that will see us build on our traditional industrial, contracting and highway maintenance activities. Established in the USA since the 1970’s, we are seeking a creative, detail-oriented Junior Graphic Designer to join our in-house communications team. This role will support the development of visual assets across a wide range of communication initiatives, including brand materials, digital content, presentations, internal communications, in-house magazines and event collateral.
With an enviable reputation for being innovative and progressive, our people are central to everything we do, they are vital to our success and set us apart from our competitors. Our aim is to attract, develop and retain visionary, talented and passionate individuals. The ideal candidate is a strong visual thinker with a passion for design, consistency, and elevating brand identity.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Brand & Visual Content:
- Support the creation of on-brand graphics for digital and print channels, including brochures, one-pagers, social media assets, infographics, and website visuals.
- Assist in preparing visual content for internal communications such as newsletters, announcements, in-house magazines and presentations.
- Update and maintain brand templates, ensuring consistency and accuracy across all materials.
Digital & Multimedia:
- Produce graphics for email campaigns, web pages, and social media posts.
- Resize, format, and optimize visuals for various digital platforms.
- Assist with basic video editing, motion graphics, or animations (a plus).
- Collaborate closely with communications, and other internal teams to understand project needs and deliver high-quality design assets.
- Manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
- Maintain organized file structures and asset libraries.
Responsibilities
Reporting to the Communications Director, the Junior Graphic Designer will work with the Corporate Communications team, and the USA subsidiary businesses to create and develop impactful visuals that support communications activity that will positively benefit the Colas brand in the USA and build brand awareness.
This role will support teams across the Colas USA organization with their communication activity, driving a stronger visual Colas brand identity and working within the brand charter boundaries with a creative flair.
You will be initiating, producing and coordinating a range of communication assets as briefed by the communications team, managing multiple and overlapping projects which require clear communication skills, coordination and planning skills.
Other duties in this role will include managing the Colas USA media library, ensuring merchandise branding is consistent and within brand guidelines, and assisting team members with projects and activities.
Colas are committed to safety and lowering environmental impact, this will mean all tasks you complete will be done with these two things in mind.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or related field — or equivalent work experience.
- 0–2 years of design experience (agency, in-house, internship, or freelance).
- Strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop).
- Familiarity with PowerPoint, Canva, and other layout tools.
- A portfolio demonstrating clean, modern, and versatile design work.
- Experience designing for B2B audiences or complex industries.
- Familiarity with UI/UX principles.
- Basic motion graphics or video editing skills (Premiere, After Effects).
- Understanding of print production processes.
- 3 days per week/ 24 hours per week.
- $27.00-33.00 per hour.
Experience
To succeed in this role you will need to demonstrate good attention to detail with a good understanding of communication processes and systems. You should be flexible, enthusiastic with excellent communication skills both spoken and written and able to use these qualities to plan, develop and deliver effective communication assets to drive brand awareness.
Colas Inc. and its subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity Employer. For details on the specifics of this commitment, if you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to:
- to meet the requirements of the role in which you are applying
- complete any part of the application process
- access or use the online application process and need an alternative method for applying
Please contact Colas Inc. at 973-290-9082 or send an email to ColasRecruiter@colasinc.com.
INTRODUCTION
Colas Inc. is the corporate office of Colas USA, a materials and heavy highway/infrastructure leader that began operations in 1979 with the acquisition of Barrett Paving Materials. The headquarters office of Colas Inc. is located in Morristown, New Jersey, but our employees also work within our five (5) subsidiary companies operating throughout the United States from New York to Alaska.
The Colas USA Family of Companies provides competitive pay, outstanding benefits, career advancement opportunities, professional education, and extensive training for every employee. We pride ourselves on upholding the highest standards of safety, environmental conservation, and ethical conduct as we strive to grow our infrastructure products and services through empowering and developing our people, fostering innovation, utilizing new technology, and maximizing vertical integration at all levels of the company’s value chain.
JOB SUMMARY
Colas USA has ambitious and exciting growth plans that will see us build on our traditional industrial, contracting and highway maintenance activities. Established in the USA since the 1970’s, we are seeking a creative, detail-oriented Junior Graphic Designer to join our in-house communications team. This role will support the development of visual assets across a wide range of communication initiatives, including brand materials, digital content, presentations, internal communications, in-house magazines and event collateral.
With an enviable reputation for being innovative and progressive, our people are central to everything we do, they are vital to our success and set us apart from our competitors. Our aim is to attract, develop and retain visionary, talented and passionate individuals. The ideal candidate is a strong visual thinker with a passion for design, consistency, and elevating brand identity.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Brand & Visual Content:
- Support the creation of on-brand graphics for digital and print channels, including brochures, one-pagers, social media assets, infographics, and website visuals.
- Assist in preparing visual content for internal communications such as newsletters, announcements, in-house magazines and presentations.
- Update and maintain brand templates, ensuring consistency and accuracy across all materials.
Digital & Multimedia:
- Produce graphics for email campaigns, web pages, and social media posts.
- Resize, format, and optimize visuals for various digital platforms.
- Assist with basic video editing, motion graphics, or animations (a plus).
- Collaborate closely with communications, and other internal teams to understand project needs and deliver high-quality design assets.
- Manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
- Maintain organized file structures and asset libraries.
Responsibilities
Reporting to the Communications Director, the Junior Graphic Designer will work with the Corporate Communications team, and the USA subsidiary businesses to create and develop impactful visuals that support communications activity that will positively benefit the Colas brand in the USA and build brand awareness.
This role will support teams across the Colas USA organization with their communication activity, driving a stronger visual Colas brand identity and working within the brand charter boundaries with a creative flair.
You will be initiating, producing and coordinating a range of communication assets as briefed by the communications team, managing multiple and overlapping projects which require clear communication skills, coordination and planning skills.
Other duties in this role will include managing the Colas USA media library, ensuring merchandise branding is consistent and within brand guidelines, and assisting team members with projects and activities.
Colas are committed to safety and lowering environmental impact, this will mean all tasks you complete will be done with these two things in mind.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or related field — or equivalent work experience.
- 0–2 years of design experience (agency, in-house, internship, or freelance).
- Strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop).
- Familiarity with PowerPoint, Canva, and other layout tools.
- A portfolio demonstrating clean, modern, and versatile design work.
- Experience designing for B2B audiences or complex industries.
- Familiarity with UI/UX principles.
- Basic motion graphics or video editing skills (Premiere, After Effects).
- Understanding of print production processes.
- 3 days per week/ 24 hours per week.
- $27.00-33.00 per hour.
Experience
To succeed in this role you will need to demonstrate good attention to detail with a good understanding of communication processes and systems. You should be flexible, enthusiastic with excellent communication skills both spoken and written and able to use these qualities to plan, develop and deliver effective communication assets to drive brand awareness.
Colas Inc. and its subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity Employer. For details on the specifics of this commitment, if you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to:
- to meet the requirements of the role in which you are applying
- complete any part of the application process
- access or use the online application process and need an alternative method for applying
Please contact Colas Inc. at 973-290-9082 or send an email to ColasRecruiter@colasinc.com.
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Get Access To All JobsEntry Level OPT Job Search Tips
Look for structured graduate programs at larger companies
Large companies with formal graduate hiring programs are often more experienced with OPT students than smaller employers. These programs typically have dedicated HR teams who understand the EAD, E-Verify, and STEM OPT extension process.
Be upfront about your OPT authorization in applications
Employers at the entry level sometimes confuse OPT with visa sponsorship. Clarifying early that OPT is an existing work authorization and doesn’t require any action from them removes a common barrier and speeds up the hiring process.
Prioritize E-Verify employers for long-term flexibility
Entry level roles at E-Verify employers keep your STEM OPT extension option open. That extra 24 months can make a significant difference in your path to H-1B visa sponsorship and long-term career stability in the U.S.
Factor in your OPT start date when negotiating start dates
If you haven’t yet received your EAD, coordinate your offer timeline carefully. Most employers will wait a reasonable amount of time for authorization to come through, but it helps to set expectations early and keep them updated.
Target industries with high OPT hiring rates
Technology, engineering, finance, and healthcare are among the sectors that hire the most OPT students at the entry level. These industries also tend to have more employers who are familiar with the OPT process, which makes for a smoother onboarding experience.
Ask about the company’s H-1B history if you’re planning to stay long-term
Entry level roles can lead to H-1B sponsorship, but only if the employer has done it before. Companies with a track record of filing H-1B petitions are more likely to support you through that process when the time comes.
Entry Level OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
What entry level jobs are most accessible for OPT students?
Technology, finance, consulting, and engineering have the highest volume of entry-level roles with employers experienced with OPT hiring. Software engineering, data analysis, financial analysis, and business analyst positions are among the most commonly filled by new OPT graduates. Industries with persistent talent shortages, including healthcare technology and cybersecurity, are also strong areas for entry-level OPT hiring.
How early should I start applying for entry level jobs on OPT?
Starting your job search three to six months before your OPT start date gives you the best timeline. USCIS processing for the EAD card can take several weeks, and many employers need lead time to complete hiring before your authorized start date. Applying early also means you have time to be selective rather than accepting the first offer under time pressure.
Do entry level employers care that I will need H-1B sponsorship later?
Employers with established OPT-to-H1B conversion programs factor this in from the start and plan ahead. The key is targeting employers who have sponsored before, since they understand the timeline and are not caught off guard when the H-1B registration window approaches. Smaller employers without prior sponsorship experience may be willing but need more time to prepare, so having that conversation early in the process is always better than late.
Can I negotiate salary at an entry level OPT job the same as any other candidate?
Yes, your visa status does not limit your ability to negotiate. On STEM OPT, your employer must pay you wages commensurate with similarly situated U.S. workers, which means there is a fairness standard built into the arrangement. Researching market rates for your role and location before negotiating puts you in the same position as any other entry-level candidate.
What happens if I can't find a job before my OPT unemployment limit?
On standard post-completion OPT, you are allowed up to 90 days of unemployment before your F-1 status is at risk. Staying proactive, applying broadly across your qualifying field, and working with your DSO on options gives you the best chance of staying within the limit. Some students use this window to accept internships, part-time roles, or volunteer positions in their field to maintain compliance while continuing their full-time job search.