OPT Student Advisor Jobs
Student Advisor roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students, especially those with degrees in education, counseling, psychology, or social work. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations for OPT purposes. Cap-gap protection applies if you're transitioning to H-1B visa sponsorship, and STEM OPT extensions may be available at qualifying institutions.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Student Organization Advisor I
Requisition Number: RE55886
Working Title: Senior Program Specialist
Department Name: 1B460: Martin Luther King JR Center
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Grade Level: 44
Salary Range: $44,678-71,469/year
Type of Position: Staff
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Required Education: MA
Required Related Experience: 3 yrs
Required License/Registration/Certification: None
Physical Requirements: General sitting, walking around campus for meetings and events, performing repetitive motion tasks, effective communication, and lifting up to 30 lbs.
Shift: 40 hours per week; Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm; and occasional evenings and weekends.
Job Summary:
The MLK Center is seeking a Student Organization Advisor I who under the supervision of the Director, will help to implement programs and campus-wide initiatives. Responsibilities include operational administration of the Martin Luther King Center to include supervising students and resources; track and monitor program budgets, serve on work teams, committees and special projects; oversee event management, assessment and programs; help to develop curriculum, coordinate, and present co-curricular initiatives in collaboration with academic units; serve as staff advisor for select student organizations; and collaborate and network with campus departments, community partners and universities and colleges in the state and region to raise awareness of programs, increase recruitment and retention.
Student Success will, from the time of early college outreach to graduation and beyond, support students in living a life of meaning and purpose. From a student-centered framework, our practice will be grounded in peer-reviewed literature, national best practices, and data-informed decision making. Collaborating with the campus and community, Student Success will work through a holistic lens to support a community of learners in achieving success.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities:
MS Windows, MS Office Suite, Excel, PowerPoint, database
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience:
Prefer master’s degree with 3 years related paid work experience in student affairs or supervision. Preferred degree in Student Affairs or Higher Education. Familiarity with other languages.
Deadline to Apply: 10/05/2026
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Job Title: Student Organization Advisor I
Requisition Number: RE55886
Working Title: Senior Program Specialist
Department Name: 1B460: Martin Luther King JR Center
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Grade Level: 44
Salary Range: $44,678-71,469/year
Type of Position: Staff
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Required Education: MA
Required Related Experience: 3 yrs
Required License/Registration/Certification: None
Physical Requirements: General sitting, walking around campus for meetings and events, performing repetitive motion tasks, effective communication, and lifting up to 30 lbs.
Shift: 40 hours per week; Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm; and occasional evenings and weekends.
Job Summary:
The MLK Center is seeking a Student Organization Advisor I who under the supervision of the Director, will help to implement programs and campus-wide initiatives. Responsibilities include operational administration of the Martin Luther King Center to include supervising students and resources; track and monitor program budgets, serve on work teams, committees and special projects; oversee event management, assessment and programs; help to develop curriculum, coordinate, and present co-curricular initiatives in collaboration with academic units; serve as staff advisor for select student organizations; and collaborate and network with campus departments, community partners and universities and colleges in the state and region to raise awareness of programs, increase recruitment and retention.
Student Success will, from the time of early college outreach to graduation and beyond, support students in living a life of meaning and purpose. From a student-centered framework, our practice will be grounded in peer-reviewed literature, national best practices, and data-informed decision making. Collaborating with the campus and community, Student Success will work through a holistic lens to support a community of learners in achieving success.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities:
MS Windows, MS Office Suite, Excel, PowerPoint, database
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience:
Prefer master’s degree with 3 years related paid work experience in student affairs or supervision. Preferred degree in Student Affairs or Higher Education. Familiarity with other languages.
Deadline to Apply: 10/05/2026
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Student Advisor
Target universities and community colleges first
Higher education institutions hire Student Advisors regularly and are familiar with OPT work authorization. They often have dedicated HR teams experienced in processing EAD cards, making the onboarding process smoother than at smaller organizations unfamiliar with F-1 status.
Connect your degree directly to the role
OPT authorization requires your job to relate to your field of study. A degree in counseling, higher education administration, or social work maps clearly to Student Advisor duties. Be explicit about this connection in your resume and cover letter to reassure employers.
Raise OPT after demonstrating fit, not before
Bring up your work authorization status after the employer is interested in you, not in your opening message. Once they see your qualifications clearly align with the role, OPT is a straightforward conversation rather than an immediate screening question.
Ask specifically about STEM OPT eligibility
If your degree is in a STEM-designated field and the institution qualifies, you may be eligible for a 24-month OPT extension. Confirming this early helps you plan your job search timeline and gives employers more runway before any H-1B visa petition is needed.
Highlight relevant practicum or internship experience
Student Advisor hiring managers look for direct advising, coaching, or case management experience. Any CPT or prior OPT internships in student services, academic support, or counseling carry significant weight and demonstrate you can perform the role from day one.
Use Migrate Mate to find OPT-friendly openings
Searching for employers already open to OPT saves time and reduces rejection. Migrate Mate filters Student Advisor roles by visa sponsorship willingness, so you spend your effort on applications where your work authorization status won't be an immediate disqualifier.
Student Advisor OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Student Advisor role qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes, Student Advisor positions generally qualify for OPT as long as the role relates directly to your field of study. Degrees in counseling, education, psychology, higher education administration, or social work all support a clear connection. Your DSO can confirm the relationship between your specific degree and the job duties before you accept an offer.
Can I work as a Student Advisor on a STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree. If you hold a degree in a STEM-designated field, such as educational psychology or data-focused social science programs, and your employer is E-Verify enrolled, you may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Many university employers are E-Verify enrolled by default, which makes this pathway more accessible for Student Advisor roles in higher education settings.
How do I find Student Advisor employers who are open to hiring OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the most efficient way to find Student Advisor roles where employers are already open to OPT work authorization. General job boards surface a large volume of postings with no filter for visa sponsorship willingness, which wastes your limited OPT time. Targeting employers with a documented history of hiring international students significantly improves your conversion rate.
What happens to my OPT if my Student Advisor contract ends before my EAD expires?
You have a 60-day grace period after your employment ends to find a new position, transfer to a different visa status, or depart the United States. During this period you cannot work. If you secure a new Student Advisor role, your DSO updates your SEVIS record to reflect the new employer. Starting your job search before your current position ends gives you the most time to transition without gaps.
Do Student Advisor employers typically sponsor H-1B visas after OPT?
Universities and large educational institutions are among the more H-1B-friendly employer types because they often qualify as cap-exempt employers, meaning they can file H-1B petitions year-round without entering the lottery. Smaller nonprofits and private schools may be cap-subject. Asking about long-term sponsorship intentions during the offer stage, not the interview, is generally the right approach.