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 JobsINTRODUCTION
The Medical Student Academic Advisor and Learning Specialist in the Office of Student Success provides longitudinal, developmentally structured academic advising and learning support for medical students across all four years of the curriculum. This role is responsible for providing individualized academic coaching, conducting learning assessments and implementing evidence-based strategies to help students improve performance, including preparation for NBME assessments and USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK.
This position supports academic performance optimization, learning strategy development, and structured intervention, including early identification, proactive outreach, and contribution to the individualized remediation plans for students at academic risk.
The position contributes to student success outcomes and supports a data-driven, continuous quality improvement approach aligned with accreditation expectations, including those of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. The role collaborates across the Office of Student Success, Office of Student Affairs, and Department of Medical Education to ensure coordinated, equitable, and high-impact academic support services.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Higher Education, Counseling, Learning Sciences, Psychology, Cognitive Science, Instructional Design, or related field with at least 2 years of relevant experience OR Master’s degree in the fields noted above.
- Relevant experience must include academic advising, coaching, learning specialist/support, learning strategy instruction, or academic support with adult or graduate learners.
- Demonstrated knowledge of learning theory, metacognition, and assessment design relevant to student learning.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze student performance data and implement targeted academic interventions or learning strategies.
- Ability to work independently and while managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
- Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills that promote trust, including ability to support students in high-stress academic environments.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to proactively engage students, build rapport, and initiate meaningful interactions in both structured and informal settings.
- Knowledge of de-escalation techniques and promotion of emotional regulation.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in medical education or other high-stakes graduate/professional programs.
- Experience with medical student academic advising at a Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) accredited medical school.
- Experience coaching, advising, and/or leading others.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND PERCENT OF TIME:
Longitudinal Academic Advising & Learning Development 35%
- Develop and support longitudinal, developmentally appropriate programming intended for early academic engagement and to promote successful transition across all phases of the curriculum.
- Provide generalized and individual coaching sessions with students on learning strategies, time management, and test-taking based on analysis of student performance data and learning behaviors.
- Guide students on academic goal setting, performance improvement, interpretation of item-type errors and applying clinical reasoning frameworks.
- Collaborate with key partnerships on navigating curricular transitions (pre-clinical to clinical).
- Help students design and implement personalized learning plans.
- Assist in interpreting NBME-style performance data, including item analysis and content domain deficiencies, to guide targeted academic interventions.
- Develop and deliver workshops and small group sessions in effective learning, metacognition, and cognitive resilience.
- Collaborate with student advisors, course/module directors and other faculty to ensure consistency of academic support strategies.
Academic Risk Identification/Intervention and Remediation 35%
- Collaborate with curriculum leadership to identify students at academic risk using performance data.
- Implement and conduct proactive outreach for students flagged by early-alert or assessments.
- Assist in the development and implementation of structured academic remediation and improvement plans for students experiencing academic difficulty, including measurable benchmarks and follow-up assessments.
- Collaborate with the fellow Academic Support Team and participate in discussions regarding student remediation and progression, using available assessment data to support identification of students who may be at academic risk.
- While maintaining confidentiality and FERPA, appropriately refer students to various BSOM and WSU support systems (including disability services and mental health resources).
Data Maintenance & Reporting 20%
- Track advising utilization, student outcomes, and intervention effectiveness.
- Assist in reviewing student outcomes and intervention effectiveness.
- Contribute to reports and summaries for stakeholders.
- Maintain confidential records of student encounters and progress.
- Conduct CQI (continuous quality improvement) on intervention and outcomes to promote effectiveness of interventions.
- Collaborate with OSAA to monitor student progress through required milestones.
- Facilitate compilation of academic advising metrics for LCME accreditation, internal audit, and leadership reporting.
Curricular and Institutional Collaboration 5%
- Collaborate with course and clerkship directors to align academic support with curriculum and identify systemic barriers to student performance and recommend interventions.
- Partner with Student Affairs and Student Success teams to ensure coordinated support.
- Contribute to academic success programming across the student lifecycle.
Other duties 5%
- Other duties as assigned within Office of Student Success.
INTRODUCTION
The Medical Student Academic Advisor and Learning Specialist in the Office of Student Success provides longitudinal, developmentally structured academic advising and learning support for medical students across all four years of the curriculum. This role is responsible for providing individualized academic coaching, conducting learning assessments and implementing evidence-based strategies to help students improve performance, including preparation for NBME assessments and USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK.
This position supports academic performance optimization, learning strategy development, and structured intervention, including early identification, proactive outreach, and contribution to the individualized remediation plans for students at academic risk.
The position contributes to student success outcomes and supports a data-driven, continuous quality improvement approach aligned with accreditation expectations, including those of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. The role collaborates across the Office of Student Success, Office of Student Affairs, and Department of Medical Education to ensure coordinated, equitable, and high-impact academic support services.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Higher Education, Counseling, Learning Sciences, Psychology, Cognitive Science, Instructional Design, or related field with at least 2 years of relevant experience OR Master’s degree in the fields noted above.
- Relevant experience must include academic advising, coaching, learning specialist/support, learning strategy instruction, or academic support with adult or graduate learners.
- Demonstrated knowledge of learning theory, metacognition, and assessment design relevant to student learning.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze student performance data and implement targeted academic interventions or learning strategies.
- Ability to work independently and while managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
- Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills that promote trust, including ability to support students in high-stress academic environments.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to proactively engage students, build rapport, and initiate meaningful interactions in both structured and informal settings.
- Knowledge of de-escalation techniques and promotion of emotional regulation.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in medical education or other high-stakes graduate/professional programs.
- Experience with medical student academic advising at a Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) accredited medical school.
- Experience coaching, advising, and/or leading others.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND PERCENT OF TIME:
Longitudinal Academic Advising & Learning Development 35%
- Develop and support longitudinal, developmentally appropriate programming intended for early academic engagement and to promote successful transition across all phases of the curriculum.
- Provide generalized and individual coaching sessions with students on learning strategies, time management, and test-taking based on analysis of student performance data and learning behaviors.
- Guide students on academic goal setting, performance improvement, interpretation of item-type errors and applying clinical reasoning frameworks.
- Collaborate with key partnerships on navigating curricular transitions (pre-clinical to clinical).
- Help students design and implement personalized learning plans.
- Assist in interpreting NBME-style performance data, including item analysis and content domain deficiencies, to guide targeted academic interventions.
- Develop and deliver workshops and small group sessions in effective learning, metacognition, and cognitive resilience.
- Collaborate with student advisors, course/module directors and other faculty to ensure consistency of academic support strategies.
Academic Risk Identification/Intervention and Remediation 35%
- Collaborate with curriculum leadership to identify students at academic risk using performance data.
- Implement and conduct proactive outreach for students flagged by early-alert or assessments.
- Assist in the development and implementation of structured academic remediation and improvement plans for students experiencing academic difficulty, including measurable benchmarks and follow-up assessments.
- Collaborate with the fellow Academic Support Team and participate in discussions regarding student remediation and progression, using available assessment data to support identification of students who may be at academic risk.
- While maintaining confidentiality and FERPA, appropriately refer students to various BSOM and WSU support systems (including disability services and mental health resources).
Data Maintenance & Reporting 20%
- Track advising utilization, student outcomes, and intervention effectiveness.
- Assist in reviewing student outcomes and intervention effectiveness.
- Contribute to reports and summaries for stakeholders.
- Maintain confidential records of student encounters and progress.
- Conduct CQI (continuous quality improvement) on intervention and outcomes to promote effectiveness of interventions.
- Collaborate with OSAA to monitor student progress through required milestones.
- Facilitate compilation of academic advising metrics for LCME accreditation, internal audit, and leadership reporting.
Curricular and Institutional Collaboration 5%
- Collaborate with course and clerkship directors to align academic support with curriculum and identify systemic barriers to student performance and recommend interventions.
- Partner with Student Affairs and Student Success teams to ensure coordinated support.
- Contribute to academic success programming across the student lifecycle.
Other duties 5%
- Other duties as assigned within Office of Student Success.
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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.