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Director of Outreach and Academic Integration Education M.A. Education, University of California, Santa Cruz B.A. Anthropology, The Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA Study Abroad Undergraduate: Conducted anthropological research on the Maya in Guatemala and Honduras (Summer) Graduate: Conducted ethnographic research on primary schools in Belize (6 months) Work Abroad Urban Youth Development/Environmental Education Volunteer, Peace Corps Belize Environmental Education/Library Science Volunteer, Peace Corps Palau (Service Extension) |
How'd you get that freaking awesome job?
As is often the case, it began through networking. In my previous job I was an Academic Advisor at a university in Hawaii, where I was involved with NACADA (National Academic Advising Association). Through my work with NACADA I was introduced to my current director, and after I had relocated to San Diego I looked her up and kept in contact. After a period of being a stay-at-home dad, my current position opened up and I was already on her radar.
My study abroad job is really a perfect blend of my background in Higher Education/Student Affairs (academic advising, residence life, college programming) and international service (Peace Corps recruiting, Peace Corps volunteering). Part of my job involves outreach and marketing of study abroad to the campus community, of which my time as a Peace Corps Recruiter and Volunteer has come in handy; I also work with Academic Integration – making sure colleges and departments accept and support study abroad and study abroad credit – so my work in Academic Advising has helped me there as well.
My study abroad job is really a perfect blend of my background in Higher Education/Student Affairs (academic advising, residence life, college programming) and international service (Peace Corps recruiting, Peace Corps volunteering). Part of my job involves outreach and marketing of study abroad to the campus community, of which my time as a Peace Corps Recruiter and Volunteer has come in handy; I also work with Academic Integration – making sure colleges and departments accept and support study abroad and study abroad credit – so my work in Academic Advising has helped me there as well.
Describe a typical day.
I’m answering this question during the summer when things have slowed down a bit around here, but a typical day during the school year usually involves meetings, advising appointments, conference calls, and presentations. I keep busy as part of our Study Abroad Leadership Team, and I work with several marketing councils, a study abroad-in-engineering workgroup, and various committees around campus. There are often several advising appointments that make up part of my day, as I am both the discipline advisor for engineering majors and the Middle East regional advisor. I also supervise several professional study abroad advisors, our office manager, and a team of student outreach assistants, so 1:1 meetings and routine check-ins are commonplace. As the director of outreach, I am also either giving presentations or delegating speaking requests around campus. But really, it is all about e-mail. And more e-mail!
what 's something you've learned from your students?
You mean other than they are incredibly smart? I work closely with engineering majors and those interested in Middle East programs, and as a professional male of color, I also try to address the needs of our underrepresented student communities. Therefore, I don’t often work with your stereotypical “study abroad student.” I have learned that each student is unique in their reasons for wanting to study abroad. These may include a desire to do internships or research overseas; to gain an international edge in their career aspirations; to learn more about the language and culture of their family; to experience what it means to be a person of color outside of the U.S.; to add an international lens to their identity; or to study abroad at a university where their discipline is well renowned. Students at my university are incredibly focused and academically driven, and they are constantly challenging my preconceptions of what a typical study abroad student is. As for my student staff, they regularly amaze me with their proclivity to try and learn every new thing that I throw at them. Don’t know InDesign? No worries, they’ll just Google It. The technical acumen of millennials is truly something to behold.
how do you stay fresh & creative in a job that can be very cyclical?
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Now that I have three years in my current position under my belt, I recognize that this question is becoming increasingly important. I always look for new projects to work on, I approach my outreach and messaging in new ways, and I stay as engaged as possible in my professional development. I make sure to attend several conferences annually, and to present at least once a year at those conferences. I also seek out interesting professional opportunities whenever I can, such as site visits, seminars, leadership summits, and professional awards. I throw everything against the wall to see what sticks, and while that approach may result in being turned down for certain opportunities, I at least know that I made the attempt.
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any advice for people trying to break in ?
Join the Peace Corps! OK, so I’m biased, but I truly believe that Peace Corps can provide recent graduates/new professionals with an incredibly valuable intercultural – and professional - experience that enriches an internationally-focused career. It did for me. It amazes me how many students/recent graduates I speak with these days who shun the idea of joining Peace Corps, usually because of the two year commitment. I tell them that rather than it ‘putting life or career on hold’, Peace Corps can be a high water mark both personally and professionally, and can inform and influence each career decision thereafter. (I have literally referenced my Peace Corps experience in every interview I have ever had post-service.)
That said, I understand that Peace Corps isn’t cut out for everybody. However, gaining in-depth intercultural experiences, either at home or abroad, is in my opinion essential in establishing oneself as a legitimate international educator. Finally, as more U.S. universities move to internationalize their portfolios, there may be opportunities beyond the international education office. Getting a job as an academic advisor, programmer, coordinator, etc. - might allow for some peripheral engagement with international students or interaction with study abroad, which can then be parlayed into a more central international education role in time.
That said, I understand that Peace Corps isn’t cut out for everybody. However, gaining in-depth intercultural experiences, either at home or abroad, is in my opinion essential in establishing oneself as a legitimate international educator. Finally, as more U.S. universities move to internationalize their portfolios, there may be opportunities beyond the international education office. Getting a job as an academic advisor, programmer, coordinator, etc. - might allow for some peripheral engagement with international students or interaction with study abroad, which can then be parlayed into a more central international education role in time.