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International Outreach Coordinator College of Engineering, University of Missouri Education M.P.A. Public Administration, East Tennessee State University B.S. Business Administration, Bryan College B.A. Communication Arts, Bryan College Study Abroad Studied Abroad in the US as an international student from Lima, Peru Find Miguel LinkedIn |
How'd you get that freaking awesome job?
Relationships, flexibility, involvement, and continued education! These are four key factors that have helped me get where I am today. I came to the US as an international student from Peru back in 1999. After 9 years of living and studying in Georgia and Tennessee, I moved to Missouri to begin my professional journey in higher education. I have been working at the University of Missouri since August 2008 and have been able to work for 3 different departments: Residential Life, International Center (campus central international office), and the College of Engineering.
I was able to move departments and grow professionally in part because of the positive professional relationships I had pursued and cultivated with colleagues across campus through my involvement in campus committees and voluntary work. Two of my supervisors attended the campus educational leadership graduate program where I am currently a part –time student. It occurs to me that my supervisors found it helpful to hire someone with whom they had already shared classroom experiences and worked in group projects with.
My first career move into international education was actually a lateral move where I transitioned from an entry level position in residential life to an entry level position in education abroad. I actually took a compensation pay cut to start my career in international education as I no longer had the great housing and meal allowance that residential life provided for me. My wife and I "buckled up" financially during this job transition to start a new adventure in international education.
I don’t regret my move to international education at all! I feel excited to be part of a vibrant field where I can work with brilliant students, faculty, and colleagues. My worldview has become bigger and more inclusive. Plus, after 4 years in the field I have had the amazing opportunity to visit 8 countries: Austria, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland. Why would I ever want to leave this field…are you kidding me?
I was able to move departments and grow professionally in part because of the positive professional relationships I had pursued and cultivated with colleagues across campus through my involvement in campus committees and voluntary work. Two of my supervisors attended the campus educational leadership graduate program where I am currently a part –time student. It occurs to me that my supervisors found it helpful to hire someone with whom they had already shared classroom experiences and worked in group projects with.
My first career move into international education was actually a lateral move where I transitioned from an entry level position in residential life to an entry level position in education abroad. I actually took a compensation pay cut to start my career in international education as I no longer had the great housing and meal allowance that residential life provided for me. My wife and I "buckled up" financially during this job transition to start a new adventure in international education.
I don’t regret my move to international education at all! I feel excited to be part of a vibrant field where I can work with brilliant students, faculty, and colleagues. My worldview has become bigger and more inclusive. Plus, after 4 years in the field I have had the amazing opportunity to visit 8 countries: Austria, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland. Why would I ever want to leave this field…are you kidding me?
WHAT SKILLS ARE REQUIRED IN YOUR POSITION ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?
In my current position I direct, provide vision, and manage daily operations for a self-funded education abroad program for engineering and STEM students. Every day that I come to the office I need to have a “plan of action” to keep up with the demands of my position. Strategic planning is overall a fundamental skill set that I have to use to keep our study abroad program running effectively. If there is one thing I don’t want to ever fail at, it is to give students my most undivided attention during our advising appointments. I am trying to become a better listener and read more on student development literature to be a better resource for my students. More than helping them sign up for classes or book their plane tickets, I want my students to leave my office thinking that studying abroad is a great opportunity for personal growth and leadership development.
Which parts are most challenging?
I work with brilliant engineering students, but I am not an engineer. Since my educational training is not in engineering, I have to make time to read and stay up to date with latest developments in engineering education and industry to effectively speak my students and faculty's “engineering language”.
It can also be challenging to run a 1-person study abroad program in a large academic department with 3000 plus students. I am the marketing guy, the advisor, the “travel agent”, the program cheerleader, the health and safety primary responder, the course instructor…all at once. On a typical day, I communicate with students, faculty, study abroad providers, the registrar office, etc. When you direct a one-person office in a fast pace environment, you constantly deal with “moving targets” and have to ask yourself every day, “what do I really need to take care of today, and what can wait until tomorrow? I don’t have this figured out yet, but I feel that I am becoming better at setting daily priorities.
It can also be challenging to run a 1-person study abroad program in a large academic department with 3000 plus students. I am the marketing guy, the advisor, the “travel agent”, the program cheerleader, the health and safety primary responder, the course instructor…all at once. On a typical day, I communicate with students, faculty, study abroad providers, the registrar office, etc. When you direct a one-person office in a fast pace environment, you constantly deal with “moving targets” and have to ask yourself every day, “what do I really need to take care of today, and what can wait until tomorrow? I don’t have this figured out yet, but I feel that I am becoming better at setting daily priorities.
What educational preparation would you recommend?
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Your chances to land a job significantly increase if you have a master’s degree and you have a graduate assistantship related to international education. If you are still in college and you are reading this…STOP! Delay your graduation one semester so you can study abroad, participate in a Fulbright or Peace Corp program, go on a mission trip, or at the very least get a minor in a second language.
What advice do you have for others who want to follow in your footsteps? |
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Never stop learning. If graduate school is not an option for you yet, then find a way to take Spanish, French, Chinese, or Russian lessons. Learning a second language keeps your brain active, makes you more marketable, and shows your commitment to the field.
Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer! Check international organizations in your campus and your city in need of help. Get to know the challenges and opportunities of immigrant communities in your current city such as international students or refugees. You never know…you may be doing community work right beside your next boss!
Become a member of international education organizations such as NAFSA or the Forum. Attend conferences, volunteer, network, and take advantage of their career resources. (Check out the recently released “Competencies for International Education Professionals”
http://www.nafsa.org/Explore_International_Education/Impact/International_Education_Professional_Competencies/
Keep an Active Linkedin Profile! Linkedin can be a great tool to network with people, celebrate the accomplishments of your colleagues and keep up with trends in our field.
Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer! Check international organizations in your campus and your city in need of help. Get to know the challenges and opportunities of immigrant communities in your current city such as international students or refugees. You never know…you may be doing community work right beside your next boss!
Become a member of international education organizations such as NAFSA or the Forum. Attend conferences, volunteer, network, and take advantage of their career resources. (Check out the recently released “Competencies for International Education Professionals”
http://www.nafsa.org/Explore_International_Education/Impact/International_Education_Professional_Competencies/
Keep an Active Linkedin Profile! Linkedin can be a great tool to network with people, celebrate the accomplishments of your colleagues and keep up with trends in our field.
