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To understand new rationale linking study
abroad & career development
To review best practices for collaboration
with study abroad colleagues
To understand why collaboration makes a
difference for student learning
To understand skill domains employers
value
To share best practices on your campus
Increased student mobility
Increased anxiety of families
Increased pressure on career offices
IMPACT? A new narrative supporting
realignment of international programs to
achieve gains in competencies adding value
to student career decision-making & post-
graduate job searches
“…In today’s global economy, where
complexity and change are the norm,
attracting and retaining culturally competent
talent will continue to challenge companies
globally…International experience has
become a critical asset for all global
organizations and will continue to create a
competitive advantage.”
Laurette Bennhold-Samaan, Managing Director
Aperian Global (2011, personal correspondence)
“…American universities have made great strides
toward internationalizing their campuses…too much
of this progress has…been conceived in academic
terms…those of us in higher education are forced to
look beyond our campuses, because the employability
of our graduates is at stake – as well as capacity of
organizations to grow and create those jobs we hear
about. “
Giles Bousquet, Dean, Div. of International Studies & Vice
Provost for Globalization, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison (2011
True or false?
Most go abroad without thinking
about how the experience adds
value or is connected to their career
development…
Students may not know how unique it is to
study abroad! They may under-value its
strategic importance on resume!
Fact: In 2011-12, less than 1% studied abroad -
--or under 300,000 students
Opens window on marketing experience – and
what is learned - to employers
They don’t view decision as having value in their career decision-making**
They do not know why employers value international experience
They are not supported in articulating why “it was great”
**2006 IIE report stated only 7% of undergrads
studying abroad (in 04-05) say doing so to
improve job prospects after graduation
Study abroad & career office
collaboration is limited or non-
existent
Lack of resources available to
develop a holistic advising
process
Many surveys report high correlation between
education abroad & career direction and
advancement
...even if students go abroad as undergrads
without clear career direction, there is evidence
of lasting impact upon career direction &
opportunities for advancement years later
Too much emphasis placed on
instrumental administrative issues in
study abroad – at expense of focus on
aligning learning objectives with student
career goals or aspirations
Adaptability & Self-Confidence
Autonomy
Problem-solving capacity
Strengthened interpersonal
relationships
Identity development
Language development
Awareness of international issues
Intellectual flexibility
Cross-cultural sensitivity
Domain knowledge
Cognitive, social & personal skills
Prior work experience
Cross-cultural experience
(Rand Corp, NACE, 1994)
2011 QS Global Employer Survey: 10,000 respondents from 116 nations. 60% valued international experience when recruiting talent.
“…employers are under strong pressure
to find employees who are not only
technically proficient, but also culturally
astute and able to thrive in a global work environment.”
Institutions with articulated
internationalization policies bridging gap
between student needs and employer
expectations in design and structure of study
abroad programs
Advisors need to assist students see
connection between time abroad and value
employers place on skills and competencies
they develop through their program
experiences
Students make purposeful decision to
study abroad
Students take advantage of career
connections while abroad
Students learn to “unpack” & market
experience to employers
ValuesWhat makes
work meaningful?
SkillsWhat do I do well?
InterestsWhat engages me?
EnvironmentsWhat work environmentswill be supportive of me
and my values?
Job FunctionsWhat job or job functionswithin this organizationwould need my skills?
OrganizationsWhat organizationsreflect my interests?
Career Research
Partner with study abroad staff during orientation to focus on career benefits
Workshops on intl business culture; discuss what employers value from IE
Focus on linkage to toolkit: resume
NAFSA Career Action Plan model: framework for creating learning outcomes tied to career goals or aspirations
Monitor networking with alumni
Blogging with purpose: more
personal insights, critical incidents
assessed
Online career counseling
Best practice unpacking seminar model at
MSU – required seminar for all students who
go abroad (otherwise most LASA programs
poorly attended)
Goal: assist students get beyond “it was
great.”
Students have inadequate skills to make
meaning of their intl experience in interview
settings
Assist students create career narratives
derived from specific cross-cultural
experiences
Assist students to draw out lessons learned
from critical incidents
Have alumni discuss obstacles they faced in
making meaning of and articulating their intl
experience
Best Campuses: UMN, MSU, Elon, Susquehanna, U Penn, Depauw, UVA, UKY, Smith, UKS
Best Resource: UMN: July 2014 Career Integration Conference web resources