Suitcase to Briefcase: Your Ticket to Pursuing International Careers A workshop presented by WWU Education abroad & Career Services center

Career resources

Career services resources Individual Career Counseling Viking CareerLink: online job and internship postings ASK! Mentoring Network Career Fairs & Events Optimal Resume! Resume, Cover Letter+ Employment Survey Grad School Info International Opportunities Link SIX MONTHS FREE SERVICES POST-GRAD!! Career Services offers lots of helpful resources. In the packet that we handed out, we have some of them listed on the 1st page. I will highlight a few here for you to give you an overview. Come See Us! ~ wwu.edu/careers/ ~ 360-650-3240 ~ OM 280 ~ M-F, 8-5

What’s in your professional suitcase? Lets talk about resumes Resume: a tool to market yourself for positions and opportunities. Not just one way to do a resume, many formats. We have lots of resources on our website to help: http://www.wwu.edu/careers/resumes_coverletters.shtml Biggest tip (for US Resumes) is to target your skills and experience to the qualifications of the position Optimal Resume is a GREAT Resume-builder that is FREE for you to use, ACCESSIBLE anywhere, COMPATIBLE with Microsoft Word and PDFs, SAMPLES are included. https://wwu.optimalresume.com/ International Resume Format May include information not customary in U.S.

What’s in your professional suitcase? Professional Clothing and Considerations Cultural Professional Conduct Do’s and taboos abroad Cultural protocols in business

What’s in your professional suitcase? Immigration Considerations – A “Visa” = Your permission to be in a country for a set time and set purpose Similar to how when individuals want to study, intern, or work in the USA, there are set requirements you may need to seek employment in another country. Citizenship = many international job postings may require that you already have permission to be in that country Visa status = some countries are more flexible that others in seeking to obtain a work visa BUNAC- Work Abroad in Australia, New Zealand, Canada or Ireland OR Intern in Britain

Networking & increasing professional skills Practice your Pitch Online Presence Professional Social Media Presence Facebook/Instagram Western ABROAD Blogs & Travel Writing Program Keep Track of Contacts from Abroad! – keep a journal, document, or folder for contacts Business Cards – in multiple languages! Vista Print = 100 cards for $16 Cultural Considerations

Linkedin Great way to use your network to connect with others Use the alumni tool Start a profile today! Western Washington University Global Use Alumni tool on profile to look up WWU alumni to see what they studied and what they are doing now with their major from Western From profile  My network  Find Alumni Search major  click on major  click on connection  ask to be connected or send email if you are wanting to do an informational interview

Tips for moving from college to career: Informational Interviews Gain more knowledge about a specific job or career that you are interested in from a professional who is working in that specific field 10-30 minute meeting to connect in person (or via phone/Skype) to gain INFORMATION Learn about their field of work or study by asking questions and having a conversation Say thank you or send them a thank you note for their time. Informational Interviewing involves talking with professionals and friends and acquaintances to gain information about a particular job, career, or field of study/interest. Consider other times in your life where you moved to a new city or when you started college, how do you find out about opportunities? Utilize those same skills to reach out to others domestically and abroad.

Your Friends’ Friends’ Friends Identifying Contacts You Your Friends Your Friends’ Friends Your Friends’ Friends’ Friends

Tips for moving from college to career Transferrable Skills from studying abroad Begin thinking of your answers to these questions: Flexibility: How have you developed greater tolerance for sudden changes? Are you a productive team player? Cultural Adaptability: How have you gained new cross-cultural skills, sensitivity, and awareness? Wider Worldview: How have you gained a deeper understanding of international affairs & global issues? Language Acquisition: How have you strengthened your primary, secondary or tertiary language skills? Leadership: How have you acquired new vision or purpose, abilities to motivate others, core skills in leadership?

Resources – Pinterest Boards! WWU Education Abroad Pinterest Boards Great tips, blogs, and short easy reads on: Preparation Cultural Immersion Tips by Regions, Country, City Jobs that will allow you to travel Marketing your Study Abroad Experience Resumes & Cover Letters

Ways To Go abroad again Grad School Abroad – FAFSA Dept. of Education Ask about Assistantships/Fellowships Visit universities while you are abroad and make connections with faculty! Internships - http://www.wwu.edu/careers/internationalOPP_helpfulwebsites.shtml Work Abroad – BUNAC, GoAbroad.Com, Overseasjobs.com Including State Department Peace Corps Peace Corps Prep at WWU Teach Abroad – JET, TaLK, TAPIF, Fulbright, etc. (handout for international teaching) Local/Global Connection – Seek out US Based companies with International connections! Tourism/Hospitality Industry, Flight Attendants, etc.

Resources – Lessons From Abroad Washington State Lessons From Abroad Returnee Conference Seattle Pacific University – End of February (Date for 2018 TBD) Resume Writing/Review Workshop How to Talk about your International Experience in an Interview Go Abroad Again Panel Session

Questions? Come visit us! Education Abroad Miller Hall 208 360-650-3298 Career Services Center Old Main 280 360-650-3240