OPT Trainee Jobs
Trainee roles are among the most OPT-friendly positions available, as many employers structure them specifically around recent graduates developing hands-on skills. Your 12-month OPT window (or 24-month STEM extension if your degree qualifies) gives you enough runway to complete a full training cycle and transition into a full-time role.
See All OPT Trainee JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 1,113+ Trainee 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 1,113+ Trainee Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Trainee roles.
Get Access To All JobsJob Description
This position serves as a human resources liaison for the Parks and Recreation Division. The position supports and assists units in all aspects of human resource management including hiring and selection, classification, disability management, and training of staff. This position also provides guidance to Division staff on the interpretation of human resources and labor relations policies/procedures. This position is the recognized resource for their assigned geographic region.
The location for this position is to be determined. The selected individual will be assigned to a location nearest to their geographic location, in one of the following locations:
Deborah Stabenow Building, Lansing Michigan
Outdoor Adventure Center, Detroit
* Roscommon Customer Service Center, Roscommon
Position Description
Required Education and Experience
Education for Departmental Analyst 9-12
Possession of a bachelor's degree in any major.
Experience for Departmental Analyst 9-12
Departmental Analyst 9
No specific type or amount is required.
Departmental Analyst 10
One year of professional experience.
Departmental Analyst P11
Two years of professional experience, including one year of experience equivalent to the intermediate (10) level in state service.
Departmental Analyst 12
Three years of professional experience, including one year of experience equivalent to the experienced (P11) level in state service.
Education and Experience for Departmental Analyst (Departmental Trainee) 9 (FOR CLASSIFIED STATE EMPLOYEES ONLY)
Education
Educational level typically acquired through completion of high school.
Experience
Four years of experience as an advanced 9-level worker in an ECP Group One classification.
OR
Three years of experience as an E9, E10, or E11-level worker in an ECP Group One classification.
OR
Two years of experience as an experienced level worker in an ECP Group One technician or paraprofessional classification.
OR
Two years of experience as a first-line supervisor in an ECP Group Three classification.
OR
One year of experience as a second-line supervisor in an ECP Group Three classification.
Paraprofessional classifications are those requiring an associate's degree or two years of college.
Educational Substitution
College credits may be substituted on a proportional basis (one year of college education may substitute for one quarter of the required experience) for up to one half of the required experience.
Alternate Education and Experience
Departmental Analyst (Departmental Trainee 9) 9 - 12
Educational level typically acquired through completion of high school and the equivalent of at least two years of full-time active-duty experience at or above the E-6 level in the uniformed services may be substituted for the education requirement.
Additional Requirements and Information
View the job specification at: https://www.michigan.gov/mdcs/-/media/Project/Websites/mdcs/JOBSPECS/D/DepartmentalAnalyst.pdf (Download PDF reader)
Accommodations
If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact the ADA coordinator (Download PDF reader) for the agency that posted this position vacancy.
Job Description
This position serves as a human resources liaison for the Parks and Recreation Division. The position supports and assists units in all aspects of human resource management including hiring and selection, classification, disability management, and training of staff. This position also provides guidance to Division staff on the interpretation of human resources and labor relations policies/procedures. This position is the recognized resource for their assigned geographic region.
The location for this position is to be determined. The selected individual will be assigned to a location nearest to their geographic location, in one of the following locations:
Deborah Stabenow Building, Lansing Michigan
Outdoor Adventure Center, Detroit
* Roscommon Customer Service Center, Roscommon
Position Description
Required Education and Experience
Education for Departmental Analyst 9-12
Possession of a bachelor's degree in any major.
Experience for Departmental Analyst 9-12
Departmental Analyst 9
No specific type or amount is required.
Departmental Analyst 10
One year of professional experience.
Departmental Analyst P11
Two years of professional experience, including one year of experience equivalent to the intermediate (10) level in state service.
Departmental Analyst 12
Three years of professional experience, including one year of experience equivalent to the experienced (P11) level in state service.
Education and Experience for Departmental Analyst (Departmental Trainee) 9 (FOR CLASSIFIED STATE EMPLOYEES ONLY)
Education
Educational level typically acquired through completion of high school.
Experience
Four years of experience as an advanced 9-level worker in an ECP Group One classification.
OR
Three years of experience as an E9, E10, or E11-level worker in an ECP Group One classification.
OR
Two years of experience as an experienced level worker in an ECP Group One technician or paraprofessional classification.
OR
Two years of experience as a first-line supervisor in an ECP Group Three classification.
OR
One year of experience as a second-line supervisor in an ECP Group Three classification.
Paraprofessional classifications are those requiring an associate's degree or two years of college.
Educational Substitution
College credits may be substituted on a proportional basis (one year of college education may substitute for one quarter of the required experience) for up to one half of the required experience.
Alternate Education and Experience
Departmental Analyst (Departmental Trainee 9) 9 - 12
Educational level typically acquired through completion of high school and the equivalent of at least two years of full-time active-duty experience at or above the E-6 level in the uniformed services may be substituted for the education requirement.
Additional Requirements and Information
View the job specification at: https://www.michigan.gov/mdcs/-/media/Project/Websites/mdcs/JOBSPECS/D/DepartmentalAnalyst.pdf (Download PDF reader)
Accommodations
If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact the ADA coordinator (Download PDF reader) for the agency that posted this position vacancy.
See all 1,113+ OPT Trainee Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Trainee Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Trainee
Confirm the role qualifies as a specialty occupation
Trainee positions vary widely. Make sure the role requires your specific degree field to avoid DSO complications. Roles with vague requirements like 'any bachelor's degree accepted' may not support a future H-1B visa petition from the same employer.
Apply for STEM OPT extension before your 12 months expire
If your degree is in a STEM-designated field, file your STEM OPT extension at least 90 days before your initial OPT expires. Your employer must be E-Verify enrolled and sign a formal training plan on Form I-983.
Ask about the employer's H-1B sponsorship history early
Many trainee programs are designed as pipelines to full-time employment. Ask directly during interviews whether the company has sponsored H-1B visas for trainees before. Past sponsorship is the strongest indicator they'll do it again.
Get your training plan in writing before your start date
STEM OPT requires a formal training plan tied to your degree. Having this documented from day one protects you if your employer changes managers or restructures. It also strengthens your USCIS record if your extension is ever audited.
Track your OPT start date against the role's training timeline
Some trainee programs run 18 to 24 months. Map your OPT authorization window against the full program timeline before accepting an offer so you understand exactly when you'll need H-1B sponsorship or another status change.
Target companies with established graduate training programs
Large employers in finance, consulting, engineering, and technology run structured trainee cohorts with dedicated HR processes. These organizations typically have immigration counsel on retainer and are more familiar with OPT documentation requirements than smaller employers.
Trainee OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a trainee on OPT?
Yes, as long as the trainee role is directly related to your degree field. OPT authorizes you to work in a position that uses the knowledge and skills from your program of study. A computer science graduate working as a software engineering trainee qualifies. A business graduate in a general administrative trainee role may face scrutiny depending on how the job is defined.
Does a trainee role count toward my STEM OPT extension requirements?
It can, but the employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and the role must provide practical training in your STEM field. You'll also need to complete Form I-983 with your employer, outlining specific learning objectives tied to your degree. Generic trainee programs without clear ties to a STEM discipline may not satisfy USCIS requirements for the extension.
What if my trainee program ends before my OPT authorization expires?
If you complete the program and transition into a direct employment role with the same employer, your OPT authorization continues as long as the new role still relates to your degree. If the program ends without a full-time offer, you enter the standard 60-day grace period. You cannot begin working for a new employer until you update your SEVIS record and your DSO authorizes the change.
How do I find trainee jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and lists trainee positions from employers familiar with OPT work authorization. Filtering by visa sponsorship compatibility saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering authorization issues late in the process. Browse Migrate Mate to find verified OPT-friendly trainee openings across industries.
Will working as a trainee help me qualify for H-1B sponsorship later?
It depends on how the role is classified. Trainee positions that clearly require a specific bachelor's degree field support the specialty occupation argument needed for an H-1B petition. If the role involved broad generalist work across departments, USCIS may question whether it meets the specialty occupation threshold. Document your degree-specific responsibilities throughout the program to build a strong record for any future petition.