OPT Graphic Design Specialist Jobs
Graphic Design Specialist roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in graphic design, visual communication, or a related field. Your OPT work authorization lets you work full-time for any employer willing to hire you, and STEM OPT extension may apply if your program qualifies.
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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 JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Graphic Design Specialist
Lead with your portfolio, not your resume
Hiring managers for design roles evaluate work before credentials. A strong portfolio that demonstrates brand identity, typography, and layout skills will open more doors than a polished resume alone. Make it the first thing you send.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront
Let employers know your OPT start date, end date, and whether you're eligible for a STEM extension. Designers are often hired on project timelines, so knowing your authorized work window helps employers plan around your availability.
Target employers with a history of design hires
Agencies, in-house creative teams at mid-size companies, and tech firms regularly hire Graphic Design Specialists. These employers are more familiar with OPT authorization than small studios hiring their first designer.
Highlight software proficiency clearly
Employers screening design candidates often filter by tool expertise. List Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and any other platforms you use prominently on your resume and portfolio. Specific software skills reduce hiring friction for OPT candidates significantly.
Address OPT proactively in cover letters
Don't leave employers guessing about your work authorization. A single sentence confirming you have OPT authorization and the dates you're eligible removes a common reason employers pass on international candidates before reviewing design work.
Browse Migrate Mate for OPT-friendly design roles
Many design employers that have sponsored international workers before are open to OPT students. Migrate Mate filters for employers with a sponsorship track record, so you spend less time on applications that were never going to move forward.
Graphic Design Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Graphic Design Specialist on F-1 OPT?
Yes, if your degree is in graphic design, visual communication, fine arts, or a closely related field. OPT requires that your job be directly related to your major area of study. A role focused on brand identity, layout, or digital design for a company typically satisfies that requirement. If you're unsure whether a specific role qualifies, check with your DSO before accepting an offer.
Do Graphic Design Specialist roles qualify for a STEM OPT extension?
Most graphic design programs are not classified under STEM-designated CIP codes, which means a standard STEM OPT extension is generally not available for design majors. However, if your degree is in a field like human-computer interaction, information science, or a design-engineering hybrid that appears on the STEM OPT designated list, you may qualify. Verify your program's CIP code with your international student office.
How do I explain my OPT status to a design employer who has never hired an international student?
Keep it simple and reassuring. Explain that OPT is a federal work authorization program for F-1 students that allows you to work full-time in your field without any action required from the employer upfront. There is no petition, no lottery, and no legal cost to the employer during the OPT period. Most employers become comfortable once they understand there is no immediate sponsorship obligation.
What types of employers hire Graphic Design Specialists on OPT?
Advertising agencies, in-house creative departments at tech and consumer brands, publishing companies, and marketing firms are among the most active employers of Graphic Design Specialists. These organizations tend to hire on project cycles and are often open to OPT candidates because design skills are in consistent demand. Browse Migrate Mate to find employers with a track record of hiring international students for design roles.
Does freelance or contract design work count toward my OPT requirement?
Yes, USCIS allows self-employment and contract work during OPT, provided the work is directly related to your degree. As a Graphic Design Specialist, freelance brand projects, contract agency work, or short-term client engagements all count, as long as you can document the connection to your field of study. Keep records of your projects and clients in case your DSO needs to verify your employment.