Some suggestions for today:  Reflect on your study abroad experience by documenting and translating it into some form of career portfolio.

 Build and maintain effective networking strategies to stay connected and to improve your connections globally.  Emphasize your study abroad experience in your resume and cover letter.  Know what employers look for, and always build on your experiences to increase your emerging crosscultural knowledge and skills.

Let’s reflect on our experience first!  What motivated you to have a study-abroad experience?  What was your biggest worry and/or fear about going

abroad?  What did you expect to gain during/out of it?  How would you describe yourself before this experience?

And, who are you now as a result of some change and/or influence after your study-abroad time?

Some tools & strategies for reflection  Have you had a diary, photo diary, any notes, any recorded

experience and/or memory?  How do you process your experience? What is your way of

reinforcing what you added to your interests, qualities, and skills?  Do you share your experience with others, who can help you

to come up with more reflection on it?

From reflection to connection:  What is the value of international experience in the employment search,

as a future employee, intern or student?

A formula for ANY experience: KNOW& BELIEVE: Your experience counts  Translate it into the language of your chosen field  Convey what you learned, as well as what you did  Quantify and Qualify your actions  Present information for maximum impact  Demonstrate your added value  Spotlight your personal attributes, as well  Consider a portfolio

Now you have a global network and connections: Linked-In  http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?trk=hb_ta b_pro_top  http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1095877&tr k=group-name

Extend your connections and improve your international career options and prospects!  Going Global

https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/career/GoingGlobal/glob al.shtml  Working Abroad

http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/career/pdf/Working_Abro ad_Resources.pdf

What is the purpose of a resume?  To get an interview or gain acceptance  To grab the reader’s attention

 To present your qualifications:  Market your abilities, accomplishments, future

capabilities  Tell a story about you in a professional setting  Articulate past actions and supporting personal characteristics and qualities you contribute to your work

Recommended content  Contact Information

 Activities

 Objective

 Skills

 Education

 References

 Experience

 Semester At Sea

2008 – 2008 Study Abroad Program visiting: Brazil, Namibia, South Africa, India, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, Japan, Costa Rica. Semester at Sea's mission is to educate individuals for leadership, service, and success in shaping our interdependent world. We are committed to providing profoundly transformative study-abroad experiences that emphasize global exchange and awareness. We will continue to make a positive world impact by developing leaders who have the knowledge and perspective necessary to promote greater understanding of all peoples and all cultures.

Sample Education Section SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS Creative, adaptable and enthusiastic Art/Communications senior student with 2 years of internship experience and a passion for personal growth. Future goals include utilizing communication, production, design, and administrative skills in project and team management. EDUCATION The Pennsylvania State University – University Park, PA B.A. Integrative Arts G.P.A. 3.64 (Clare Dahlia Snetzinger Fine Arts Scholarship)

May 2012

Study Abroad: Florence, Italy Languages: English, Italian, Spanish OR The University of Florence (Università degli Studi di Firenze), Florence, Italy 2011

Summer-Fall

-Completed course work in “International Perspectives in Design” and “Cross Cultural Communications”. -Learned to establish rapport quickly with individuals in an unfamiliar environment. -Traveled throughout Europe, observed culture and enhanced language skills -Interacted with … Observed… Visited… -Participated in … discussions with …

Experience  Related and/or unrelated to goals  Paid and/or unpaid

 Categorize headings  Internship Experience

 Related Experience - may have more than one heading  Work Experience/Employment - only list paid experience

 International/Global Experience

 General guidelines for listing information     

List most important information first Keep order consistent Use action verbs and keywords Focus on accomplishments - qualify/quantify No lists of more than 6 bullets - reader loses focus 

Try to limit text to two lines per bullet

International Experience The University of Florence, Italy

Summer-Fall 2011

-Completed course work in “International Perspectives in Design” and “Cross Cultural Communications”. -Participated in Student Design Club and weekly discussions with … -Learned to establish rapport quickly with individuals in an unfamiliar environment. -Traveled throughout Europe, observed culture and enhanced language skills -Interacted with … Observed… Visited… -…

Provide details  Contributions to event(s)  Can list activity in experience section (if significant or related)

Skills (Optional)  Computer 

Languages, programs, etc.

 Foreign languages  

Fluent, Conversational, Knowledgeable, etc. Be prepared to prove it in the interview!

 Other 

Interpersonal, communication, etc.

Good strategies!  Tailor your objective

 Include unique experiences that

 Clearly articulate experiences

set you apart  Key words count (check this out: www.tagcrowd.com)  Proofread, proofread, proofread!

that match with those being sought  Be concise – but not too brief (balance)

QUESTIONS ON RESUME WRITING?

What is the purpose of a cover letter?  Show interest in the position  Draw connection between your skills and the employer’s

needs  Motivates the employer to read your resume  Resume shows qualifications, whereas letter can best

demonstrate interest  Ultimate purpose – to

support your resume in landing an interview!

1234 West 67 Street Carlisle, MA 01741 May 1, 2011

Sample Letter 1

Mr. John Smith Dickinson Press 207 Park Avenue South New York, NY 12436-3442 Dear Mr. Smith, I am writing to express my keen interest in the Editorial Assistant position you advertised with the University of Washington's Center for Career Services. I will be receiving my Bachelor of Arts degree in English this coming June, and I am eager to join a small publishing house that values skills in writing, editing, proofreading, research, and critical analysis. Based on my knowledge of Dickinson Press publications and objectives, I believe that my educational background and abilities would be an excellent match for your Editorial Assistant position. Through my academic work in English language, literature, and writing, I am prepared to make meaningful contributions to editorial discussions and to function as a member of your editorial team. In addition to my university training, I have held editorial positions with Bricolage, the University of Washington's undergraduate literary arts journal, and with Steubing Press, a small publishing house specializing in non fiction and regional publications for the Pacific Northwest. These volunteer and intern positions have provided me with experience in editing, proofreading, fact checking, production scheduling, working with off-site vendors, sales, marketing, and customer service.

Furthermore, my experiences with a small university publication and diverse classes during my study abroad experience in Ireland have taught me to become more openminded, creative, and adaptable. I learned to manage my time efficiently to grasp the diversity and new knowledge to meet deadlines, adapt readily to new responsibilities, work as a team member in an unfamiliar context, and function well under pressure (and with more diversity). The writing skills that I developed through my background as an English major have been further refined by both of these experiences, where I learned to write concise, persuasive descriptions of new publications for press releases, catalog statements, and website content. Both positions afforded me an in-depth understanding of the important and varied behind-the-scenes work involved in book publishing. I hope you'll agree that the combination of my academic training and my internship work in publishing has provided me with excellent preparation for the demands of a literary editorial position with Dickinson Press. This letter offers some examples of why we might work well together, although I welcome the chance to speak personally with you about this rewarding opportunity. Please contact me by phone at 555234-5678 or via email [email protected] to request further details or to arrange a time to meet. Thank you for your time and your consideration.

Sincerely, Richard Anderson Richard Anderson

How do I know which experiences about my study abroad are transferable skills and personal qualities to highlight in resume and cover letters?

What Employers Want… Importance of Candidate Skills/Qualities  Communication Skills (verbal)  Strong Work Ethic

 Teamwork Skills (works well with others)  Analytical Skills  Initiative

 Problem-Solving Skills  Communication Skills (written)

NACE Research: Job Outlook 2012

What Employer’s Look For…  Work experience that is job related  Leadership role in a student organization  Member, academic/pre-professional organization

 Volunteer Community Service experience  Member of student social organization  Work experience that is not job related  Membership in leisure/hobby organization

9 Career & Life Essentials for College Students  Interpersonal Skills  Appreciate Diversity  Team Player  Character  Communication  Computer  Leadership  Worldly  Experience

Skills

Qualities

Establish rapport quickly Function with a high level of ambiguity Achieve goals despite obstacle

Self-reliance High energy level/enthusiasm

Take initiative and take risks

Perseverance

Time management skills Accept responsibility Communicate despite barriers

Flexibility Tolerance/open mindedness Assertiveness

Learn quickly Handle difficult situations Handle stress Adapt to new environments Learn through listening and observing

Inquisitiveness Self-confidence Self-knowledge Independence

Appreciation of diversity

Gain Experience  Student Activities and Organizations  www.clubs.psu.edu

 Student Professional Associations  PSU Student Employment Opportunities  http://www.psu.edu/studentaid/aidprog/wage.shtml?reload#

Campus

   

Part-time/Summer Jobs Volunteering Job Shadowing “A Day in the Life” Internships  College Internship Coordinator  Career Services

How can Career Services Help? Career Counseling and Planning  

 

Drop-In Individual Self-Assessment Mock Interviews

Learning Opportunities/Outreach Programming     

Workshops LionLink https://psualum.com/career/index.asp? Career Planning Course for credit- CN ED 100, Job Search courses Industry Panels A Day in the Life (job shadowing program)

Recruiting and Employment Services  

Nittany Lion Recruiting Career Fairs/Graduate Fairs

Career Resources    

Career Library Website and On-line libraries http://www.studentaffairs.psu.edu/career/ Career Guides Career Planning News (published in The Collegian)

Questions?

Career Services website: http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/career