Internship Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Iowa
Iowa's internship market spans agricultural technology, insurance, financial services, and advanced manufacturing, with employers like Principal Financial Group, Collins Aerospace, and John Deere based in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and the Quad Cities. International interns typically pursue CPT or OPT authorization through their university, while select employers sponsor J-1 visa exchange visitor programs for structured internship placements.
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JOB GOAL:
To advance the college’s mission, vision, principles, values and strategic initiatives through continuous improvement decisions.
GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:
Workplace Learning Connection is a work-based learning intermediary, providing for the work-based learning needs of educators, businesses and community organizations in Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Washington Counties. Our service population are middle and high school students, educators and administrators. We believe in a vibrant community with a workforce ready for a changing world and will engage with the next generation as they learn to navigate and connect to our shared future. Workplace Learning Connection Internship Coordinator will share responsibility for supporting the needs of business and education in developing our future workforce within a regional system.
The typical work schedule for this position will be Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm.
UNIVERSAL CORE COMPETENCIES:
- Advocate for Continual Improvement - empowering each other to identify opportunities for excellence.
- Collaborate with Mutual Accountability - working together with a willingness to take ownership and account for our actions.
- Champion Service - anticipating needs and create a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment.
- Perseverance - commitment to excellence even in the face of adversity or delay in achieving success.
- Lead - regardless of title, through positive influence.
DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide for service planning and delivery of Workplace Learning Connection services to K-12 districts, which includes all facets of the WLC Academic Internship program in assigned counties, and support for College Credit in High School (CCHS) program collaboration.
- Provide instruction for the concurrent credit WBL 200 Practicum/Field Experience course and work with other internship coordinators to develop the course syllabus and review course content.
- Work collaboratively and creatively with the WLC Program director and staff specialists: Business/School Liaisons, Internship Specialists, Large Event Coordinator and support staff.
- Coordinate with WLC team to assess work-based learning needs and develop school district career plans.
- Promote business, education and community visibility of Workplace Learning Connection offices.
- Build and guide existing and new relationships with community partners and volunteers to support specific career pathway work-based learning programs and services.
- Provide other duties as assigned.
PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:
- Able and willing to represent Kirkwood Community College and Workplace Learning Connection in the most positive manner with students, business, school district and community partners.
- Self-motivated, energetic and possess high quality standards for program outcomes.
- Willing and able to work in a team-based environment with the many clients served.
- Ability to express oneself effectively in written and oral communication.
- Comfortable with current technology use.
- Positively represent WLC office diverse business, school and community audiences.
- Able to effectively prioritize and manage multiple placements, projects and timelines.
- Able to work under pressure and participate, occasionally, in events during non-traditional work hours.
- Assess individual and district led work-based learning needs and develop services to meet those needs in collaboration with WLC team.
- Evaluate program effectiveness with guidance from WLC colleagues.
- Welcome, value, and nurture people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, as well as support and promote an environment that accepts differences.
The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential job duties/responsibilities and performance expectations of the job, which should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES WITH/WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:
Constant (67-100%) reaching, sitting, grasping, talking and hearing and viewing computer screen and other types of close visual work. Frequent (34-66%) standing, walking and repetitive motion. Frequent (34-66%): travel to businesses, industries, schools and agencies. Occasional (10-33%) kneeling, pushing, pulling, lifting up to 50 pounds.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree with two years of demonstrated successful, relevant experience in areas, such as education, business and/or project management, volunteer management, program and resource development.
- Knowledge of databases, Microsoft software, and Google Docs, Sheets, Slides and Forms.
- A valid driver’s license and the use of a personal vehicle.
This position requires a valid driver's license and participation in continuous Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) monitoring. Your driving record will be verified initially and monitored on an ongoing basis as a condition of employment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS, LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS:
- Preference will be given to candidates with successful related experiences in both business and education.
- Teaching experience.
EEO/AA STATEMENT:
It is the policy of Kirkwood Community College not to discriminate in its programs, activities, or employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, and actual or potential family, parental or marital status. If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy, please contact the Vice President, Human Resources and Institutional Effectiveness (employees) or the Vice President of Student Services (students), 6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, 319-398-5572, equity@kirkwood.edu, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, Telephone: (303) 844-5695 FAX: (303) 844-4303, TDD 800-877-8339 Email: OCR.Denver@ed.gov.
WHY KIRKWOOD:
Kirkwood Community College prides itself on fostering a diverse workforce and values unique perspectives throughout its campus community. The college is a convenient, innovative, visionary educational leader striving to remain affordable and accessible. With more than 140 majors and programs, Kirkwood boasts 16,000 annual college-credit students while maintaining one of the lowest tuitions in the state. All degree-seeking students are eligible for federal financial aid and the college offers more than $3 million in scholarships each year to students from all walks of life.
Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.
Internship Job Roles in Iowa
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Search Internship Jobs in IowaInternship Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for internships in Iowa?
Principal Financial Group and Nationwide in Des Moines regularly hire international interns through OPT and J-1 programs. Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids and John Deere in the Quad Cities offer structured internship pipelines with documented international hiring. MidAmerican Energy and ACCO Brands have also participated in university-connected programs. Sponsorship availability varies by year, department, and program structure, so confirming directly with each employer's recruiting team is always worth doing.
Which visa types are most common for internship roles in Iowa?
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) are the most common work authorizations for international interns in Iowa, as both allow F-1 students to work without requiring the employer to file a separate petition. J-1 exchange visitor visas are used for structured internship programs sponsored through a designated exchange sponsor. H-1B visa sponsorship for internships is uncommon given the temporary and entry-level nature of most internship roles.
Which cities in Iowa have the most internship sponsorship jobs?
Des Moines is Iowa's primary internship hub, driven by its concentration of insurance, financial services, and technology employers. Cedar Rapids follows closely, with aerospace and manufacturing firms like Collins Aerospace anchoring opportunities there. Iowa City benefits from its proximity to the University of Iowa, creating a pipeline into healthcare, research, and biotech internships. Ames, home to Iowa State University, supports engineering and agricultural technology internship placements with regional employers.
How to find internship visa sponsorship jobs in Iowa?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international candidates and filters internship roles in Iowa that are open to visa sponsorship or OPT and CPT authorization. Rather than sorting through general job listings where sponsorship status is unclear, Migrate Mate surfaces roles where employers have an established track record of sponsoring international workers. Filtering by Iowa and the internship category gives you a focused, relevant list without the guesswork of contacting employers individually.
Are there any state-specific considerations for international interns in Iowa?
Iowa's internship market is heavily tied to its flagship universities, Iowa State University and the University of Iowa, which maintain strong employer relationships that support CPT and OPT placements. International students should confirm their internship qualifies under their program's CPT rules before accepting any offer. Iowa employers in agriculture and food technology sometimes work with J-1 sponsors for summer programs. University international student offices are a reliable first resource for understanding authorization requirements specific to your program.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored internship jobs in Iowa?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.