Public Relations Specialist Jobs for OPT Students
Public Relations Specialist roles are widely available to F-1 OPT students with a degree in communications, PR, journalism, or a related field. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations, supporting both standard 12-month OPT and the 24-month STEM extension for qualifying programs. Agency and in-house roles are common entry points.
See All Public Relations Specialist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 113+ Public Relations Specialist jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 113+ Public Relations Specialist jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Public Relations Specialist roles.
Get Access To All JobsWe are a boutique law firm headquartered in downtown Bellevue, Washington. As our practice continues to grow, we are seeking a full time Public Relations Specialist to join our team.
Responsibilities
- Manage and operate company social media accounts, including content publishing and client communication
- Plan and execute online campaigns and live-stream events
- Produce video content, including scripting, filming, and editing
- Edit and format company’s Legal Monthly newspaper
- Conduct creative planning and contribute to integrated marketing and branding initiatives
Minimum Requirements
- Master’s degree in public relations, journalism, communications, political science, film studies, advertising or related fields
- Hands-on experience with major social media platforms
- Strong skills in video editing and content creation
- Proficient in both Chinese and English
Additional Information
Location: Bellevue, WA (On-site)
Work Authorization: CPT / OPT accepted
How to Apply
Interested candidates should send transcript, resume, and writing sample in both Chinese and English to Wechat: lanilaw918
Pay: From $21.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
We are a boutique law firm headquartered in downtown Bellevue, Washington. As our practice continues to grow, we are seeking a full time Public Relations Specialist to join our team.
Responsibilities
- Manage and operate company social media accounts, including content publishing and client communication
- Plan and execute online campaigns and live-stream events
- Produce video content, including scripting, filming, and editing
- Edit and format company’s Legal Monthly newspaper
- Conduct creative planning and contribute to integrated marketing and branding initiatives
Minimum Requirements
- Master’s degree in public relations, journalism, communications, political science, film studies, advertising or related fields
- Hands-on experience with major social media platforms
- Strong skills in video editing and content creation
- Proficient in both Chinese and English
Additional Information
Location: Bellevue, WA (On-site)
Work Authorization: CPT / OPT accepted
How to Apply
Interested candidates should send transcript, resume, and writing sample in both Chinese and English to Wechat: lanilaw918
Pay: From $21.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Public Relations Specialist
Lead with your degree field
PR Specialist roles require a direct tie between your degree and the position. Communications, journalism, and marketing degrees align cleanly. Highlight your specific major in your resume summary so hiring managers can confirm specialty occupation eligibility without guessing.
Target in-house corporate teams
Large corporations with dedicated communications departments are more likely to sponsor visas than boutique PR agencies. Fortune 500 companies have established HR and immigration infrastructure, making the OPT-to-H-1B transition more straightforward than at smaller firms.
Highlight measurable media results
Quantify your PR wins: placements secured, impressions generated, or coverage in named outlets. Concrete outcomes demonstrate professional-level impact and help justify specialty occupation classification, which matters when employers evaluate whether to support future visa sponsorship.
Apply before your OPT clock runs out
Start your job search at least three months before your OPT authorization ends. PR hiring timelines often run four to eight weeks, and you need buffer time to receive an offer, confirm sponsorship willingness, and file any necessary work authorization paperwork.
Ask about sponsorship during the second interview
Raise visa sponsorship after you have established genuine interest from the employer, typically in a second interview or after a strong first round. Frame it as a logistics question, not a request, and confirm whether the company has sponsored PR or communications roles previously.
Build a portfolio of published work
Press releases, media pitches, campaign recaps, and earned media links form a concrete portfolio that PR employers can evaluate quickly. A strong portfolio reduces hiring hesitation and signals the kind of specialized communications skill set that supports specialty occupation arguments.
Public Relations Specialist jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Public Relations Specialist JobsSee all 113+ Public Relations Specialist jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Public Relations Specialist roles.
Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Public Relations Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for OPT?
Yes, in most cases. USCIS generally recognizes Public Relations Specialist as a specialty occupation when the employer requires a bachelor's degree or higher in communications, public relations, journalism, or a closely related field. Roles where any degree is accepted regardless of field are less likely to qualify. Review the job description carefully before applying.
Can F-1 OPT students work at PR agencies or only in-house roles?
Both are valid. Agency positions and in-house corporate communications roles are open to F-1 OPT students as long as the work is directly related to your degree. Agency roles often offer faster-paced experience and diverse client exposure, while in-house positions tend to provide more stability and a clearer path to visa sponsorship after OPT ends.
How do I find Public Relations Specialist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and lists Public Relations Specialist roles from employers who are open to candidates on work authorization. Searching general job boards often returns postings that exclude international students without flagging it clearly. Migrate Mate filters for sponsorship-friendly employers, saving you time and reducing the risk of applying to roles that won't work for your visa status.
Do PR roles at nonprofit organizations count toward OPT employment requirements?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations are valid OPT employers as long as the role is directly related to your degree field and meets the minimum hours requirement, which is typically 20 hours per week for OPT to count as active employment. Many nonprofits have active communications teams, and the work often qualifies as a specialty occupation if a relevant degree is required.
What happens to my OPT if my PR employer does layoffs?
If you lose your job, your 60-day unemployment grace period starts immediately. During that window, you can continue job searching and accept a new offer without losing your OPT status. You must report the change to your DSO promptly. Exceeding 90 cumulative days of unemployment during the OPT period, or 60 days for STEM OPT, will terminate your authorization.
See which Public Relations Specialist employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Public Relations Specialist Jobs