W.W.W. World Wide Work Experience Presentation by Sarah Whiteley and Natasha Kerven Work Experience Team

Objectives The benefits and disadvantages of overseas experience Things to consider What, where, when, how, why? How to find opportunities: Financial support Handy tips

Weigh-up the pros and cons

The benefits of going overseas Skills development Future work in global companies International commercial awareness Is it right for you?

The disadvantages of going overseas Does it really add value? Perceptions Relevance Language and cultural barriers Finance

Things to consider Valid passport Your ability to travel to another country Visas Risk assessment Travel insurance Medical card Language and cultural awareness Translating your qualifications – Organisations such as NACES in may translate grades for a fee. You can also try translating your grades yourself at http://www.foreigncredits.com/Resources/GPA- Calculator/

Over to you You have three minutes to introduce yourselves, identifying: Name Course / School / College Year What experience you think you might like internationally and why?

Going overseas and how to do it So, you’ve decided that an international opportunity is right for you. What Where When Why How

What should you do? Do you have a career strategy? Have you spoken to a Careers Advisor? Have you looked at job profiles? Have you done any research? Think about how your opportunity will impact on your personal development – what will you gain from it? Identify several options – not just one Can you convince others of its benefits?

Where should you go? Where in the world are the opportunities? Where would you like to go? Where wouldn’t you like to go? Different locations will cost different amounts Do some destinations appeal to employers more than others? (E.g. BRIC countries) Some locations are easier to access than others (consider visas, work permits…) Consider language and the benefit of that particular country

When should you go? When are opportunities available with employers? Are you restricted by the nature of the business? When is convenient with your studies? When fits best with your academic year? (E.g. some internships only for second years) Is there any flexibility? Are you an undergraduate or postgraduate? Give yourself enough time!

Why should you go? Are YOU convinced that the opportunity has a good business case? Could you sell the benefits to a future employer? How will you ensure that you make the most of it? Do you know everything that it entails? Are there any risks which might prevent you from gaining everything you want from the opportunity?

How do you find an opportunity? Careers Network: Careers Connect Work Experience Week Fair Global Challenge opportunities Advertised opportunities With companies With agencies / similar Speculative enquiries Leads from other contacts, networks

Global Challenge - Case Study Maria Barlow, BSc Natural Sciences with year abroad Social Entrepreneurship, Guatemala Why did Maria decide to go overseas? What other opportunities did Maria consider? Were there any particular issues which Maria had to face? Would Maria recommend going abroad? What hints and tips does Maria have?

Careers Network resources Careers Network time lines… http://bit.ly/StagesOfStudy

Careers Network resources Careers Network events… http://bit.ly/CNEvents

Careers Network resources Internship pages… www.birmingham.ac.uk/internships

Careers Network resources Select options from: Opportunities Organisations My bookings Queries

Careers Network resources Search opportunities by country and filter by industry…

Careers Network resources Guidance on sourcing international work experience… www.birmingham.ac.uk/internships

Global Challenge Fully-funded overseas internships. Finance to cover flights, visas, accommodation and living costs Based with internationally renowned organizations 6-8 week opportunities during the summer vacation Aimed at all undergraduate students Maria Barlow Social Entrepreneurship, Guatemala

Global Challenge 2015 Guangzhou Municipal government internship, China English Theatre, Frankfurt, Germany Museum Victoria internship, Melbourne, Australia Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Chicago, USA U21 Social Entrepreneur Corps internship, Guatemala GlaxoSmithKline procurement internship, Buenos Aires, Argentina GlaxoSmithKline HR internship, Casablanca, Morocco GlaxoSmithKline marketing internship, Casablanca, Morocco GlaxoSmithKline finance internship, Morocco Vaisala internship, Vantaa, Finland http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/generic/internships/opportunities/globalchallenge/index.aspx

Overseas providers and companies Absolute Internship Any Work Any Where British Council Internships BUNAC Camp America CRCC Asia Global Brigades Go Abroad International Volunteer HQ Operation Wallacea Projects Abroad Prospects Sri Lanka Volunteers Target Jobs Third Year Abroad Other useful websites: UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office www.fco.gov.uk Prospects’ country profiles http://www.prospects.ac.uk/working_abroad.htm

Speculative applications Making speculative applications involves contacting an organisation and enquiring about possible vacancies. You might contact an organisation because their area of work interests you, or because you’ve heard about an upcoming vacancy from someone you know. To make a speculative application you’ll need: Tailored CV and covering letter Up-to-date-references Professional email address Method of tracking your applications Consider booking a CV check with a CN Advisor through Careers Connect

Methods of making a speculative application How to find out about organisations? Telephone Use online resources Yellow pages Thomson Directories FAME directory Face-to-face Social media networking Utilise your network Friends & family Colleagues Tutors and university contacts Mail E-mail Attend events

UoB Work Experience Bursaries Professional – Up to £800 Deadline: 29th March Research – Up to £500 Deadline: 29th March International – Up to £800 Deadline: 29th March Global Challenge – Fully funded Deadline: 8th Feb Gateway – Up to £2000 Deadline: 12th April *The bursaries are only open to undergraduate students For further information, visit the internship web pages: www.birmingham.ac.uk/internships

Handy tips Do: Don’t: Send a generic application Research! Consider cost Follow up after contact Have an effective CV/covering letter Tell them why you’re interested in working for them Consider as many companies/industries as possible Don’t: Send a generic application Take rejection personally Rule out companies without applying first Be too inflexible Accept any role which you feel is unfair/particularly unsuitable

Back to you You have five minutes in pairs to identify which approaches you plan to use, and why.

Presentation by Sarah Whiteley and Natasha Kerven For all the workshops this week, there are on-line discussion forums via the Preparing for a careers fair canvas course: https://birmingham.instructure.com/courses/10099 Any questions? Presentation by Sarah Whiteley and Natasha Kerven Work experience team