Below you will find some excellent resources, tips and mentoring links for your professional development.
In 2012, IES Abroad reported that 97% of students who had taken part in their study abroad programs had found employment within one year of graduation, while only 49% of the general student population had found employment during that time.
50% of IES Abroad alumni felt that their study abroad directly impacted their job prospects, while 84% expressed that their experiences abroad aided indirectly to their job search by helping them to develop skills and abilities that increased their marketability to employers.
A German study found that students who go abroad score higher on the “Big Five” traits of openness, conscientiousness, and extraversion
Many employers place a high value on international experience when interviewing job candidates. Beyond listing your study abroad experience on your resume, you can use many examples of experiences you’ve had abroad to market yourself during job interviews. We have compiled a list of questions that can help you to brainstorm experiences that might be highly attractive to employers. We recommend that you consider these types of questions in depth before an interview, as it can be difficult to recall your memories of studying abroad during the stress of an interview. Be selective about which stories you tell, and have a thorough answer planned out — don’t just give them a run-through of your time abroad!
Many employers value international experience, particularly in jobs in fields such as international development, public relations, marketing, consulting, and tourism. The first step towards utilizing your study abroad to enhance your career possibilities is often to integrate it into your resume. Here are some tips on how to do so.
University of Colorado Denver (August 2010-May 2014) Denver, Colorado
Study Abroad, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (January 2013-May 2013)
Keep your experience alive by helping others.
One way to share your experiences from abroad is to join the Global Education team as a student peer mentor. Student peer mentors share their experiences and help prospective study abroad students reach their international academic and personal goals.
Peer mentors work closely with Global Education staff to take students step-by-step through the study abroad process and guide them to the appropriate resources. As a student peer mentor you have the opportunity to share your invaluable perspectives on living and learning in another country. Peer mentors are also assigned tasks according to their passions and skills, which can include such tasks on-campus marketing, social media management, and producing print materials. Interested study abroad alumni may contact a study abroad advisor either by email at study.abroad@ucdenver.edu or 303.315.2001.