How to spin your international experiences into career opportunities....
At Gannon University we offer long and short term study abroad opportunities. For a semester or summer abroad, Gannon has partner universities in 9 countries; with affiliates worldwide. If you can't fit a whole semester into your schedule, then GIFT (faculty-led travel) Courses are another way of traveling and earning credit within a shorter span of time. In 2016-2017 there are 15 offered courses that fulfill major/minor and LSC requirements.
Now ask yourself, "What can international travel do for me?" You'd be surprised by how much traveling can impact your personal growth by increasing maturity, self-confidence, toleration of ambiguity, and creation of world view. Studying abroad gives you the opportunity to build relationships by sharing experiences with others and gaining a stronger understanding of others' differences. One of the greatest impacts of studying abroad is on your education and career attainment. Study abroad experiences influence subsequent educational experiences, can influence decision to attend graduate school, encourage international work or volunteerism, acquired skills influence career path, and ignite interest in career direction.
To use your international experience as a resume builder you want to articulate your transferable skills. Don't just talk about your experiences overseas- talk about what you learned from them and what skills you gained from them.
When identifying your international competencies their are five major components: Flexibility, cultural adaptivity, wider worldview, language acquisition, and leadership. How have you developed a greater tolerance for ambiguity? Are you a productive team player? How have you gained new cross-cultural skills, sensitivity, and awareness? How have you gained a deeper understanding of international affairs and global issues? How have you strengthened your primary, secondary, or tertiary language skills? How have you acquired new vision or purpose, abilities to motivate others, core skills in leadership?
Skills learned during study abroad experiences:
independence/self-reliance
self-knowledge
self-confidence
flexibility
perseverance
ability to cope with stress
assertiveness
inquisitiveness
awareness of global consequences
adaptability to new environments
appreciation for diversity
open-mindedness
appreciation of other perspectives
concern/knowledge of international issues and politics
handle difficult situations
critical thinking skills
crisis management
function with a high level of ambiguity
take initiatives and risks
communicate despite barriers
learn through listening and observing
time management skills
AND MANY, MANY MORE!
What to put on your resume:
address how these learned skills can be applied in the workplace
share experiences showing your ability to:
creatively solve problems by applying familiar concepts to unfamiliar situations
contribute to an ethnically diverse team
be self-confident, yet able to listen to and learn from people whose value systems are different
take personal risks and act independently
be flexible and adaptable to rapidly changing situations
imagine, forecast, analyze, and/or address situations from a different cultural frame of reference
Action verbs to use on resumes:
adapted
collaborated
changed
challenged
developed
exchanged
explored
financed
fostered
immersed
implemented
interpreted
involved
learned
lived
managed
navigated
organized
researched
represented
shared
translated
traveled
So....is it really true that employers care about international experience?
YES! Researchers at Michigan State University found that the following traits were chosen by 35% or more of responding employers as areas “where recent hires with international experience stood out”
interacting with people who hold different interests, values, or perspectives
understanding cultural differences in the workplace
adapting to situations of change
gaining new knowledge from experiences
ability to work independent
undertaking tasks that are unfamiliar/risky
applying information in new or broader contexts
identifying new problems/solutions to problems
working effectively with co-workers
If you haven't participated in a study abroad opportunity....DO IT! If you have, make an appointment with the Career Exploration & Development Office to update your resume to reflect your skills gained during your time abroad, focusing on how they relate to your major and how they can transfer to your desired job.
Gardner, Phil et al. “Unpacking Your Study Abroad Experience: Critical Reflection for Workplace Competencies.” Collegiate Employment Research Institute. Michigan State University. March 2008.
Matherly, Cheryl. “Effective Marketing of International Experiences to Employers.” Impact of Education Abroad on Career Development, Volume 1. American Institute for Foreign Study, 2005.
Tillman, Martin. “Effective Marketing of Your Study Abroad Experience to Employers.” StudyAbroad.com. February 4, 2014.
