Stepping Stones to Your Career

by Alia Santini
This article was printed in Abroad View magazine fall 2004

According to a study recently conducted by The Institute for the International Education of Students (IES), 62 percent of alumni stated that studying abroad ignited their interest in a career direction. Of those study abroad alumni surveyed, 17 percent commented that their experience abroad motivated them to get a job overseas. As the articles in this section suggest, it is possible for students of all majors and disciplines to seek international opportunities in addition to—or outside of—the typical study abroad model.

As a study abroad alumnus who both studied and worked abroad and then chose an international career because of the richness of those experiences, I can tell you there are many benefits to working overseas. Working in a foreign culture offers you unique access to local populations. As a study abroad student, you are often isolated on a college campus, behind tall university walls and most likely surrounded by plenty of fellow Americans. However, as an employee you are usually immersed in a foreign culture, working with host-country nationals who share a common interest in the work at hand. You often will be valued for your skills as an English speaker and your cultural perspective.

Bill Nolting, the director of the University of Michigan’s Overseas Opportunity Office, recognizes what an enriching experience working abroad can be. His office connects hundreds of students each year with opportunities for working, interning, volunteering, teaching and studying abroad.

He says that his students and alumni report the same kinds of positive personal and professional benefits from their experiences as do the authors of these articles. Many of his students have developed international careers after a combination of study abroad, internships, graduate study and additional overseas professional work experiences.

Studying abroad is not the only option for gaining international exposure. You can obtain an internship as part of a study abroad program, spend a summer working or volunteering in a different country, or even use the year after graduation to build intercultural competency. These experiences provide valuable life and job skills, enhance your resume, and become your first stepping stone toward having an international career.

ALIA SANTINI worked with Bill Nolting to coordinate this section. At the time, Alia was an international education graduate student at The School for International Training. She also worked as a global human resources specialist at AXA Global Services in California.