Program Analyst Jobs for OPT Students
Program Analyst roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in business, public policy, information systems, or a related field. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations, supporting H-1B sponsorship after OPT. Your 12-month OPT window (or 24-month STEM extension if eligible) gives you real runway to prove your value.
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Wells Fargo is seeking a Cross Asset Sales Program Analyst.
Corporate & Investment Bank (CIB) delivers a comprehensive suite of banking, capital markets and advisory solutions, including a full complement of sales, trading and research capabilities, to corporate, government and institutional clients. We focus on our clients' overall financial needs, with consideration and respect for their total relationship with Wells Fargo.
Markets provides solutions to clients with the means to manage their exposure through various derivatives, lending and cash products across Structured Products Group, Macro, Equities, Municipal Products Group, Credit Sales & Trading.
In this role, you will:
- Participate in or provide support for low complexity initiatives within Securities Sales to meet the clients objectives
- Review issues, policies or procedures for which answers can be quickly obtained, related to low-to-medium risk tasks and deliverables
- Receive direction from a manager
- Exercise independent judgment while developing the knowledge to understand function, policies, procedures, compliance, and risk management requirements for the Securities Sales area
- Collaborate and consult with peers, colleagues, and managers to resolve issues and achieve goals
- Interact with internal and external clients
Required Qualifications:
- 6+ months of Securities Sales experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education
Desired Qualifications:
- Previous trading floor, middle office, or back-office trade support experience
- Demonstrated knowledge of fixed income securities products and services
- Knowledge of Structured products
- Meticulous regarding all details, adaptive to a fast-paced environment and able to perform under pressure with high level of self-motivation and energy
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
- Strong analytical skills with high attention to detail and accuracy
- Excellent Microsoft Office skills (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Job Expectations:
- Ability to travel up to 10% or as needed
- Ability to work in office five days per week from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM and adjust schedule to meet operational demands, including extended hours when needed.
- Registration for FINRA Series SIE must be completed within 90 days of hire date if it is not available for transfer upon hire.
- Registration for FINRA Series 7 must be completed within 90 days of hire date if it is not available for transfer upon hire.
- Registration for FINRA Series 63 must be completed within 90 days of hire date if it is not available for transfer upon hire. FINRA recognized equivalents will be accepted.
About this role:
Wells Fargo is seeking a Cross Asset Sales Program Analyst.
Corporate & Investment Bank (CIB) delivers a comprehensive suite of banking, capital markets and advisory solutions, including a full complement of sales, trading and research capabilities, to corporate, government and institutional clients. We focus on our clients' overall financial needs, with consideration and respect for their total relationship with Wells Fargo.
Markets provides solutions to clients with the means to manage their exposure through various derivatives, lending and cash products across Structured Products Group, Macro, Equities, Municipal Products Group, Credit Sales & Trading.
In this role, you will:
- Participate in or provide support for low complexity initiatives within Securities Sales to meet the clients objectives
- Review issues, policies or procedures for which answers can be quickly obtained, related to low-to-medium risk tasks and deliverables
- Receive direction from a manager
- Exercise independent judgment while developing the knowledge to understand function, policies, procedures, compliance, and risk management requirements for the Securities Sales area
- Collaborate and consult with peers, colleagues, and managers to resolve issues and achieve goals
- Interact with internal and external clients
Required Qualifications:
- 6+ months of Securities Sales experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education
Desired Qualifications:
- Previous trading floor, middle office, or back-office trade support experience
- Demonstrated knowledge of fixed income securities products and services
- Knowledge of Structured products
- Meticulous regarding all details, adaptive to a fast-paced environment and able to perform under pressure with high level of self-motivation and energy
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
- Strong analytical skills with high attention to detail and accuracy
- Excellent Microsoft Office skills (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Job Expectations:
- Ability to travel up to 10% or as needed
- Ability to work in office five days per week from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM and adjust schedule to meet operational demands, including extended hours when needed.
- Registration for FINRA Series SIE must be completed within 90 days of hire date if it is not available for transfer upon hire.
- Registration for FINRA Series 7 must be completed within 90 days of hire date if it is not available for transfer upon hire.
- Registration for FINRA Series 63 must be completed within 90 days of hire date if it is not available for transfer upon hire. FINRA recognized equivalents will be accepted.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Program Analyst
Target agencies and contractors with established OPT pipelines
Federal contractors like Booz Allen Hamilton, Deloitte, and Leidos hire Program Analysts at scale and have dedicated visa sponsorship processes. Larger organizations are far more likely to have the legal infrastructure to support H-1B filings after your OPT ends.
Frame your degree field as directly tied to the analyst function
Program Analysts typically require a degree in business administration, public policy, or information systems. When applying, connect your specific degree field to the role's analytical responsibilities. A vague connection to your major weakens your specialty occupation case for future H-1B sponsorship.
Apply early if you need a STEM OPT extension
If your degree qualifies for the 24-month STEM extension, file Form I-765 at least 90 days before your initial OPT expires. A timely filing keeps you authorized to keep working even while USCIS reviews your application, giving you more runway before H-1B season.
Ask about sponsorship intent before accepting an offer
Not all employers who hire on OPT will sponsor H-1B. Before signing, ask directly whether the company has sponsored H-1B petitions before and whether they intend to for your role. It is a standard question that any experienced hiring manager will expect.
Verify your employer is on the E-Verify program
STEM OPT extension employers must be enrolled in E-Verify. Confirm this before accepting a STEM extension offer. If your employer is not enrolled, you cannot use the 24-month extension regardless of your degree field, which significantly shortens your authorized work period.
Document your project contributions with measurable outcomes
Program Analysts who can show quantifiable impact, such as cost savings identified, process improvements implemented, or program efficiency gains, build a stronger case for H-1B sponsorship. Concrete results make it easier for employers to justify the sponsorship cost to leadership.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Program Analysts?
Yes. Program Analyst roles typically require a bachelor's degree in a field like business administration, public policy, or information systems, which qualifies them as specialty occupations under OPT rules. Both standard 12-month OPT and the 24-month STEM extension can apply, depending on your degree field. Browse open Program Analyst positions on Migrate Mate to find employers actively hiring OPT candidates.
Does a Program Analyst role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree is in a STEM-designated field, such as information systems, data analytics, or computer science, and the Program Analyst role uses that technical background, you may qualify for the 24-month extension. The degree must appear on the STEM Designated Degree Program List maintained by ICE.
Do Program Analyst employers typically sponsor H-1B visas?
Federal contractors and large consulting firms, which account for a significant share of Program Analyst hiring, have well-established H-1B sponsorship processes and sponsor regularly. Smaller firms or state government agencies sponsor less consistently. The best approach is to ask directly during the offer stage and confirm the employer has filed H-1B petitions in recent years.
What counts as a valid Program Analyst job for OPT purposes?
Your OPT employment must be directly related to your degree field. A Program Analyst role focused on data analysis, program evaluation, or policy research will generally satisfy this requirement for graduates in business, public policy, or information systems. Roles that are primarily administrative without analytical responsibilities are less likely to qualify. Confirm the connection with your DSO before accepting an offer.
How do I report a Program Analyst job on my OPT?
You must report new employment to your DSO within 10 days of starting, who will then update your record in SEVIS. You will need to provide your employer's name, address, start date, and a brief description of how the role relates to your degree. Failing to report on time is a status violation, so notify your international student office as soon as you accept an offer.
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