IANAL, but I don't understand why you would have had to use your F1-OPT for an RA position. I am not recommending F1-OPT forever obviously. But, it would buy y

IANAL, but I don't understand why you would have had to use your F1-OPT for an RA position. I am not recommending F1-OPT forever obviously. But, it would buy you time until you find someone willing to sponsor and H1B. Things are much easier these days.