OPT Public Relations Specialist Jobs
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 OPT Public Relations Specialist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 60+ 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 60+ 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 JobsJob Summary: The Public Relations Specialist provides project support for healthcare and university client programs and is responsible for the development and dissemination of news stories, press releases and photography. Maintains a list of media spokesperson contacts and assists with media interviews. Takes proactive and reactive measures to engage with media in an effort to support brand identity and awareness through public relations campaigns, projects and initiatives. Assists in crisis communication and supports the Public Information Officer in times of crisis. Will be required to work outside of regularly scheduled work hours, 24/7 on call is required for press calls. This schedule will alternate among staff. Performs other duties as needed.
Education and Experience: Bachelor's Degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations or related field required. Two years of experience required in public relations and/or agency environment, which includes copywriting, social media skills, and media relations. Experience may be considered in lieu of Degree.
Knowledge and Skills: Thinks strategically and acts tactically, and brings a passion for telling our brand story in a meaningful and measurable way. Basic knowledge of DSLR cameras, still and video photography and editing skills (Adobe Suite). Able to persuade, convince and bring about a change in attitude of the press toward LLUH in times of crisis. Able to spot compelling story angles. Able to read, write legibly; speak in English with professional quality; use computer, printer, and software programs necessary to the position (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Word, Smartsheet, etc.). Operate/troubleshoot basic office equipment required for the position. Able to relate and communicate positively, effectively, and professionally with others; work calmly and respond courteously when under pressure, including during press and media interaction; collaborate and accept direction. Able to communicate effectively in English in person, in writing, and on the telephone; think critically; manage assignments effectively; organize and prioritize workload to meet deadlines; problem solve; recall information with accuracy; pay close attention to detail; work independently with minimal supervision. Able to distinguish colors as necessary; hear sufficiently for general conversation in person and on the telephone, and identify and distinguish various sounds associated with the workplace; see adequately to read computer screens, and written documents necessary to the position.
Licensures and Certifications: None.
Job Summary: The Public Relations Specialist provides project support for healthcare and university client programs and is responsible for the development and dissemination of news stories, press releases and photography. Maintains a list of media spokesperson contacts and assists with media interviews. Takes proactive and reactive measures to engage with media in an effort to support brand identity and awareness through public relations campaigns, projects and initiatives. Assists in crisis communication and supports the Public Information Officer in times of crisis. Will be required to work outside of regularly scheduled work hours, 24/7 on call is required for press calls. This schedule will alternate among staff. Performs other duties as needed.
Education and Experience: Bachelor's Degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations or related field required. Two years of experience required in public relations and/or agency environment, which includes copywriting, social media skills, and media relations. Experience may be considered in lieu of Degree.
Knowledge and Skills: Thinks strategically and acts tactically, and brings a passion for telling our brand story in a meaningful and measurable way. Basic knowledge of DSLR cameras, still and video photography and editing skills (Adobe Suite). Able to persuade, convince and bring about a change in attitude of the press toward LLUH in times of crisis. Able to spot compelling story angles. Able to read, write legibly; speak in English with professional quality; use computer, printer, and software programs necessary to the position (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Word, Smartsheet, etc.). Operate/troubleshoot basic office equipment required for the position. Able to relate and communicate positively, effectively, and professionally with others; work calmly and respond courteously when under pressure, including during press and media interaction; collaborate and accept direction. Able to communicate effectively in English in person, in writing, and on the telephone; think critically; manage assignments effectively; organize and prioritize workload to meet deadlines; problem solve; recall information with accuracy; pay close attention to detail; work independently with minimal supervision. Able to distinguish colors as necessary; hear sufficiently for general conversation in person and on the telephone, and identify and distinguish various sounds associated with the workplace; see adequately to read computer screens, and written documents necessary to the position.
Licensures and Certifications: None.
See all 60+ OPT Public Relations Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Public Relations Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT 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 visa 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 OPT: Frequently 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.