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

2. Career resources

3. 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/ ~ ~ OM 280 ~ M-F, 8-5

4. 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:
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.
International Resume Format
May include information not customary in U.S.

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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 if you are wanting to do an informational interview

9. 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.

10. Your Friends’ Friends’ Friends
Identifying Contacts
You
Your Friends
Your Friends’ Friends
Your Friends’ Friends’ Friends

11. 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?

12. 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

13. 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 -
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.

14. 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

15. Questions? Come visit us!
Education Abroad
Miller Hall 208
Career Services Center
Old Main 280