Experience: Questions and advice
Why is it so hard to break in?
If you’ve read any job postings for positions in study abroad you probably noticed a common theme. Even the entry-level jobs tend to require some prior experience. How can you get experience if you can’t get a job? You are probably left scratching your head. Why is there this unnecessary barrier?
Many study abroad offices are lean on staff, whether by choice or necessity. It isn't the same as working for a Fortune 500 company. Institutions don’t always have the luxury of formal training programs for new hires. They expect you to hit the ground running. A candidate who already has a background in the field will be able to make a greater impact from day one. Chances are, if they are hiring for a new position, they need the extra hands on deck. Your co-workers won’t have time to take time out to explain the basics. If you already have a solid foundation in international education you’ll be ready to learn the specifics of that organization’s program portfolio, computer systems, advising process, etc.
The other reason is simply supply and demand. For each entry-level position posted, they receive hundreds of applications from talented candidates. Think about all of the study abroad students who return and are fired up about helping others have meaningful experiences abroad... If working in study abroad seems like your dream job, you are probably not alone.
What do I really need to know?
Of course you will need prior experience studying or working abroad. If you don’t have this, start there. If you are an undergraduate student visit your school’s study abroad office. If you are a graduate student, it is not too late. There are a number of graduate study abroad opportunities dedicated to international education administration.
Don’t get hung up on memorizing the ins and outs of certain study abroad programs. Study abroad advising is about process not the product. Yes, it helps if you have prior experience with a program. But each school has a different portfolio of options. These options will change. What you want to gain is a better understanding of the education abroad culture.
You will want to learn:
How do I learn this stuff?
What they don’t tell you is that there a variety of great ways to gain experience. Some of them may be nontraditional. Below are common ways people gain experience in the field:
Graduate Assistantship
Depending on the program and university you may be able to land an assistantship in a study abroad office. Be sure to check this as you research graduate programs. This type of para-professional position allows you to work part time in the study abroad office in exchange for a tuition remission or stipend (or both). In addition to financial assistance you will gain the hands-on learning you need. If you do a good job, you will also leave with a letter of reference. A referee in the field will trump any faculty or employer reference you might have.
Practicum
A practicum is similar to a graduate assistantship, but instead of getting paid you earn credit. A practicum is usually fewer work hours than an assistantship. For this reason you may wish to see if there is a way to do multiple practicum placements related to education abroad or ensure you leave with a tangible product for your portfolio. Telling a future employer you understand course transfer is one thing. Showing an example of a course articulation brochure you created for business majors demonstrates you really do know your stuff.
Student Assistant/Peer Advisor
If you are still an undergraduate, be sure to meet with your study abroad advisor now to indicate you are interested in study abroad as a potential career. Ask if there are student assistant jobs or peer advising opportunities. You won’t know if you don’t ask. Often times these positions are paid. Even answering the phones or making copies can get you the exposure. You would be surprised at what you overhear.
Volunteer Work
If you can’t find a paid position, or one for credit, consider offering to volunteer. Start out by offering to help with pre-departure orientation or the study abroad fair. Then ask how else you can help, even if it is virtual. Make sure you are focused on giving vs. taking. Your goal is to develop a relationship and gain access to responsibilities to build your resume. This is great option if you have been out of school for a while.
Get Creative
Don’t rule out temporary or contract positions. They could turn into something bigger. Making a sacrifice in the short term, like temporary relocation or an unpaid position, could pay off big in the future. Keep your eyes on the SECUSS-L listserv for maternity leave posts, one-year contracts, internships, or other jobs that are not advertised through formal channels. Check the listserv archives to see which organizations have advertised these positions in the past and send them a cold call resume & cover letter indicating you’d love to talk should something similar surface in the future.
One career-changer contacted a study abroad provider with customized internship placements. She told them she’d like to be matched to a study abroad office overseas. Although she paid for the placement and living arrangements in Australia, it helped her to gain a year of solid international experience that launched her career.
Check with your former study abroad office to see if any faculty-led programs need a program assistant or have resident assistant positions available. You might receive a discount or free travel expenses as compensation for working as an assistant to the program director. You can gain invaluable on-site program management experience (not to mention health & safety experience).
If you’ve read any job postings for positions in study abroad you probably noticed a common theme. Even the entry-level jobs tend to require some prior experience. How can you get experience if you can’t get a job? You are probably left scratching your head. Why is there this unnecessary barrier?
Many study abroad offices are lean on staff, whether by choice or necessity. It isn't the same as working for a Fortune 500 company. Institutions don’t always have the luxury of formal training programs for new hires. They expect you to hit the ground running. A candidate who already has a background in the field will be able to make a greater impact from day one. Chances are, if they are hiring for a new position, they need the extra hands on deck. Your co-workers won’t have time to take time out to explain the basics. If you already have a solid foundation in international education you’ll be ready to learn the specifics of that organization’s program portfolio, computer systems, advising process, etc.
The other reason is simply supply and demand. For each entry-level position posted, they receive hundreds of applications from talented candidates. Think about all of the study abroad students who return and are fired up about helping others have meaningful experiences abroad... If working in study abroad seems like your dream job, you are probably not alone.
What do I really need to know?
Of course you will need prior experience studying or working abroad. If you don’t have this, start there. If you are an undergraduate student visit your school’s study abroad office. If you are a graduate student, it is not too late. There are a number of graduate study abroad opportunities dedicated to international education administration.
Don’t get hung up on memorizing the ins and outs of certain study abroad programs. Study abroad advising is about process not the product. Yes, it helps if you have prior experience with a program. But each school has a different portfolio of options. These options will change. What you want to gain is a better understanding of the education abroad culture.
You will want to learn:
- Some of the hot topics on the minds of current professionals
- Different program models and the associated lingo (ex. "bilateral exchange”, “direct enroll”, “3rd Party Provider”)
- Awareness of issues surrounding student immigration and visas
- Basic familiarity of legal issues in study abroad (ex. risk management, FERPA)
How do I learn this stuff?
What they don’t tell you is that there a variety of great ways to gain experience. Some of them may be nontraditional. Below are common ways people gain experience in the field:
Graduate Assistantship
Depending on the program and university you may be able to land an assistantship in a study abroad office. Be sure to check this as you research graduate programs. This type of para-professional position allows you to work part time in the study abroad office in exchange for a tuition remission or stipend (or both). In addition to financial assistance you will gain the hands-on learning you need. If you do a good job, you will also leave with a letter of reference. A referee in the field will trump any faculty or employer reference you might have.
Practicum
A practicum is similar to a graduate assistantship, but instead of getting paid you earn credit. A practicum is usually fewer work hours than an assistantship. For this reason you may wish to see if there is a way to do multiple practicum placements related to education abroad or ensure you leave with a tangible product for your portfolio. Telling a future employer you understand course transfer is one thing. Showing an example of a course articulation brochure you created for business majors demonstrates you really do know your stuff.
Student Assistant/Peer Advisor
If you are still an undergraduate, be sure to meet with your study abroad advisor now to indicate you are interested in study abroad as a potential career. Ask if there are student assistant jobs or peer advising opportunities. You won’t know if you don’t ask. Often times these positions are paid. Even answering the phones or making copies can get you the exposure. You would be surprised at what you overhear.
Volunteer Work
If you can’t find a paid position, or one for credit, consider offering to volunteer. Start out by offering to help with pre-departure orientation or the study abroad fair. Then ask how else you can help, even if it is virtual. Make sure you are focused on giving vs. taking. Your goal is to develop a relationship and gain access to responsibilities to build your resume. This is great option if you have been out of school for a while.
Get Creative
Don’t rule out temporary or contract positions. They could turn into something bigger. Making a sacrifice in the short term, like temporary relocation or an unpaid position, could pay off big in the future. Keep your eyes on the SECUSS-L listserv for maternity leave posts, one-year contracts, internships, or other jobs that are not advertised through formal channels. Check the listserv archives to see which organizations have advertised these positions in the past and send them a cold call resume & cover letter indicating you’d love to talk should something similar surface in the future.
One career-changer contacted a study abroad provider with customized internship placements. She told them she’d like to be matched to a study abroad office overseas. Although she paid for the placement and living arrangements in Australia, it helped her to gain a year of solid international experience that launched her career.
Check with your former study abroad office to see if any faculty-led programs need a program assistant or have resident assistant positions available. You might receive a discount or free travel expenses as compensation for working as an assistant to the program director. You can gain invaluable on-site program management experience (not to mention health & safety experience).