OPT Program Assistant Jobs
Program Assistant roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students, particularly those with degrees in public administration, nonprofit management, education, or social sciences. Most positions qualify as professional employment under OPT guidelines. Your 12-month authorization window, or 24 months with a STEM extension, gives you time to build meaningful program experience.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Farmington Country Club’s Assistant Manager Program offers a unique and rewarding opportunity for the hospitality management graduate interested in pursuing a career in club management. This three-year program offers a competitive salary, progressive management responsibilities, and ongoing training for professional development.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- A structured, professional development program that combines department-specific activities and projects with an individualized curriculum of training and education, designed to prepare participants for careers in club management
- Rotational placements for three years in the Club’s food and beverage and clubhouse operations, including: a la carte restaurants, banquets and catering, and front office (overnight guest room) operations
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- One-on-one mentoring from experienced Club managers
- Participation in the Club’s Performance Management Program
- Opportunity for individual development and furthering the Club’s vision through conversations with managers about goals and performance strengths, accomplishments, and areas for development
- Participation in the Club’s Assistant Manager in Development Program
- Participation in managers meetings, training programs, and CMAA education sessions
- Club-sponsored CMAA membership
- Bonus upon completion of program
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Degree in Hospitality Management
- Three year commitment to AMID Program
INTRODUCTION
Farmington Country Club’s Assistant Manager Program offers a unique and rewarding opportunity for the hospitality management graduate interested in pursuing a career in club management. This three-year program offers a competitive salary, progressive management responsibilities, and ongoing training for professional development.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- A structured, professional development program that combines department-specific activities and projects with an individualized curriculum of training and education, designed to prepare participants for careers in club management
- Rotational placements for three years in the Club’s food and beverage and clubhouse operations, including: a la carte restaurants, banquets and catering, and front office (overnight guest room) operations
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- One-on-one mentoring from experienced Club managers
- Participation in the Club’s Performance Management Program
- Opportunity for individual development and furthering the Club’s vision through conversations with managers about goals and performance strengths, accomplishments, and areas for development
- Participation in the Club’s Assistant Manager in Development Program
- Participation in managers meetings, training programs, and CMAA education sessions
- Club-sponsored CMAA membership
- Bonus upon completion of program
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Degree in Hospitality Management
- Three year commitment to AMID Program
See all 698+ OPT Program Assistant Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Program Assistant
Align your degree to the role
Program Assistant positions require a clear connection between your degree field and job duties. Highlight coursework in project coordination, policy, or community development. A direct degree-to-role match strengthens your OPT eligibility and makes your application more compelling to hiring managers.
Target mission-driven organizations early
Nonprofits, universities, and government-adjacent organizations hire Program Assistants regularly and tend to have more experience with OPT work authorization than private-sector employers. Focusing your search on these sectors reduces friction during the hiring process and improves your chances of a smooth onboarding.
Be transparent about your OPT timeline
Tell hiring managers upfront when your OPT expires and whether you qualify for a STEM extension. Program roles often involve multi-month projects, so employers want to know you can see a program cycle through. Clarity builds trust and avoids last-minute complications during the offer stage.
Emphasize coordination and administrative skills
Program Assistants are expected to manage schedules, track deliverables, and support multiple team members simultaneously. Concrete examples from internships, graduate assistantships, or campus organizations demonstrate these abilities clearly. Quantify your contributions wherever possible, even in academic or volunteer settings.
Apply before your OPT start date
You can interview and receive a job offer before your OPT authorization begins, but you cannot start work until your EAD card is valid. Begin your search at least two to three months before your program end date to avoid gaps between graduation and your first day of employment.
Prepare documentation your employer will need
Keep your EAD card, current I-20 with OPT authorization, and passport readily available. Many Program Assistant employers, especially in the nonprofit and education sectors, will request copies for HR compliance. Having a complete, organized packet ready signals professionalism and speeds up onboarding considerably.
Program Assistant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Program Assistant jobs qualify as valid OPT employment?
Yes, in most cases. OPT employment must be directly related to your degree field. A Program Assistant role at a nonprofit, university, or government-affiliated organization typically qualifies for students with degrees in public administration, social work, education, or a related field. The key is documenting how the job duties connect to your academic coursework when required by your DSO.
Can I work as a Program Assistant while waiting for my EAD card to arrive?
No. You cannot begin working until your Employment Authorization Document is physically in hand and the start date on the card has passed. You can interview, sign an offer letter, and complete onboarding paperwork before your EAD arrives, but your first day of actual work must fall on or after the valid start date printed on the card.
How do I find Program Assistant jobs that are open to OPT students?
Browse Migrate Mate to find Program Assistant openings from employers who are familiar with or actively open to OPT work authorization. Many job postings on general boards don't specify OPT compatibility, which makes it easy to waste time on roles that won't move forward. Migrate Mate filters for OPT-friendly employers, which significantly reduces that friction.
Do Program Assistant roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Only if your degree is in a STEM-designated field and the employer is E-Verify enrolled. Program Assistant positions are most common in nonprofit, education, and public administration sectors, where STEM extensions are less frequently applicable. However, students with STEM degrees working in data, research program support, or technology-adjacent program roles may qualify. Confirm with your DSO before assuming eligibility.
What happens to my OPT status if my Program Assistant contract ends early?
Your OPT authorization period continues even if your employment ends, but you must report the job separation to your DSO within 10 days. OPT allows for up to 90 days of unemployment in total, though this resets to 150 days with an approved STEM extension. Starting your next job search immediately is important because unused unemployment days cannot be recovered once they accumulate.