Exploring International Career Opportunities
Dee Dee Wyckoff, UNF Career Services www.unf.edu/dept/cdc, 620-2955
International Careers Are You Prepared??? Do I enjoy experiencing new things? Are you prepared for the unexpected? Am I able to adapt to different cultures? Do I know a foreign language? Would others say I have determination and preserve? Am I an independent person? Do I have the degree and/or practical skills in my area?
What does an “International” Career Involve?
►
The “world” is the “market”
►
Travel or live and work abroad for periods of time
►
Global contact via “Telecommunications”
►
Targeted “skill set” requires multicultural interest and proficiency
Interested? Do this… ►
Self-Assess …do you have the skills, interests, personality, values for an international career?
►
Explore Your Options …what agencies interest you & why? What does the job require you to do?
►
Research the country where you hope to obtain a position. Learn as much as you can about the culture, customs, language, food choice, and the job market.
►
Get Experience … an Internship, Co-op, or Volunteer with local agencies that are involved in International Affairs (Global Jax, www.globaljax.org)
Skills International Employers Prefer ►
Ability to learn
►
Language skills
►
Adventurous spirit
►
Sense of humor
►
Creativity
►
►
Curiosity
Sensitivity, adaptability, and flexibility
►
Functional skills
►
Strong interpersonal skills
►
Initiative
►
Tenacity
►
Willingness to take risks
NACE
International Career Fields ► Private
Enterprise
Business, manufacturing, aviation, oil, engineering, hospitality ► Educational
Institutions
Teachers, guidance counselors, principles, and librarians, and other administrative staff ► Medical/Health
Doctors, Dentists, Nurses, etc. ► Government
Technical, administrative, and supervisory ► Non-profit
Human rights, disaster relief, health awareness, etc.
Examples of Career Titles in the International Field…Exploration
Activist, Advocate/Organizer
Customs or Immigration Officer
Business Analyst
Health Advocate
CIA Analyst or Agent
Language Instructor
Corporate Public Affairs Advisor
Journalist/Reporter
Marketing Manager
Corporate Adviser for Govt'l Relations
Infrastructure director
For detailed job descriptions visit: The Occupational Outlook Handbook Site www.bls.gov/oco/ O*Net www.onetonline.net or The Agency’s website
Economic Needs are Important… More Exploration! ► ► ► ► ► ►
►
Base Salary Utilities Food Income Tax Liability Vacation leave House Furnishings Baggage Allowances Medical Benefits Allowance for Dependents Cost of Living Calculators http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/costofliving/ costofliving.html,http://www.bankrate.com/brm/movecalc.asp Salary Research http://hotjobs.salary.com/, http://www.payscale.com/
How to Prepare for Your Career… Conduct Informational Interviews Network with faculty, student clubs, professional associations JCCI Forward (Jacksonville Community Council, Inc.) www.jcci.org Keep an open mind concerning “conflicting” information Search Job Posting sites related to your interest areas Create a Resume and practice Interviewing Skills
Job Searching Resources for International Careers ► Business International Chamber of Commerce http://www.iccwbo.org/ Global Edge http://globaledge.msu.edu/ibrd/ibrd.asp
► Education The International Educator: http://www.tieonline.com/ European Council of International Schools: http://www.ecis.org/
Job Searching Resources for International Careers ► Government International Trade Association: http://www.ita.doc.gov/ The U.S. State Department: www.state.gov/ United Nations: http://www.un.org/en/
► Non-profit Nonprofit Career Network: http://www.nonprofitcareer.com/ Idealist: http://www.idealist.org/
► All International Career Employment Center: http://www.internationaljobs.org/
Presentation References ► Camenson, B. (2005). Opportunities in Overseas Careers. New York , NY: McGraw-Hill. ►
Special Topics: International Careers, UNF Career Services. Retrieved on July 4th, 2012 from http://www.unf.edu/careerservices/International_Care ers.aspx
Q&A
