Martin Tillman, PresidentGlobal Career Compass

April 29, 2014

To understand new rationale linking study

abroad & career development

To review best practices for collaboration

with study abroad colleagues

To understand why collaboration makes a

difference for student learning

To understand skill domains employers

value

To share best practices on your campus

Increased student mobility

Increased anxiety of families

Increased pressure on career offices

IMPACT? A new narrative supporting

realignment of international programs to

achieve gains in competencies adding value

to student career decision-making & post-

graduate job searches

“…In today’s global economy, where

complexity and change are the norm,

attracting and retaining culturally competent

talent will continue to challenge companies

globally…International experience has

become a critical asset for all global

organizations and will continue to create a

competitive advantage.”

Laurette Bennhold-Samaan, Managing Director

Aperian Global (2011, personal correspondence)

“…American universities have made great strides

toward internationalizing their campuses…too much

of this progress has…been conceived in academic

terms…those of us in higher education are forced to

look beyond our campuses, because the employability

of our graduates is at stake – as well as capacity of

organizations to grow and create those jobs we hear

about. “

Giles Bousquet, Dean, Div. of International Studies & Vice

Provost for Globalization, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison (2011

True or false?

Most go abroad without thinking

about how the experience adds

value or is connected to their career

development…

Students may not know how unique it is to

study abroad! They may under-value its

strategic importance on resume!

Fact: In 2011-12, less than 1% studied abroad -

--or under 300,000 students

Opens window on marketing experience – and

what is learned - to employers

They don’t view decision as having value in their career decision-making**

They do not know why employers value international experience

They are not supported in articulating why “it was great”

**2006 IIE report stated only 7% of undergrads

studying abroad (in 04-05) say doing so to

improve job prospects after graduation

Study abroad & career office

collaboration is limited or non-

existent

Lack of resources available to

develop a holistic advising

process

Many surveys report high correlation between

education abroad & career direction and

advancement

...even if students go abroad as undergrads

without clear career direction, there is evidence

of lasting impact upon career direction &

opportunities for advancement years later

Too much emphasis placed on

instrumental administrative issues in

study abroad – at expense of focus on

aligning learning objectives with student

career goals or aspirations

Adaptability & Self-Confidence

Autonomy

Problem-solving capacity

Strengthened interpersonal

relationships

Identity development

Language development

Awareness of international issues

Intellectual flexibility

Cross-cultural sensitivity

Domain knowledge

Cognitive, social & personal skills

Prior work experience

Cross-cultural experience

(Rand Corp, NACE, 1994)

2011 QS Global Employer Survey: 10,000 respondents from 116 nations. 60% valued international experience when recruiting talent.

“…employers are under strong pressure

to find employees who are not only

technically proficient, but also culturally

astute and able to thrive in a global work environment.”

Institutions with articulated

internationalization policies bridging gap

between student needs and employer

expectations in design and structure of study

abroad programs

Advisors need to assist students see

connection between time abroad and value

employers place on skills and competencies

they develop through their program

experiences

Employers Students

Institutional Influence

Career Services

Study Abroad Office

Student Affairs

Students make purposeful decision to

study abroad

Students take advantage of career

connections while abroad

Students learn to “unpack” & market

experience to employers

ValuesWhat makes

work meaningful?

SkillsWhat do I do well?

InterestsWhat engages me?

EnvironmentsWhat work environmentswill be supportive of me

and my values?

Job FunctionsWhat job or job functionswithin this organizationwould need my skills?

OrganizationsWhat organizationsreflect my interests?

Career Research

• Pre-departure1

• While abroad2

• Upon their return home3

Partner with study abroad staff during orientation to focus on career benefits

Workshops on intl business culture; discuss what employers value from IE

Focus on linkage to toolkit: resume

NAFSA Career Action Plan model: framework for creating learning outcomes tied to career goals or aspirations

Monitor networking with alumni

Blogging with purpose: more

personal insights, critical incidents

assessed

Online career counseling

Best practice unpacking seminar model at

MSU – required seminar for all students who

go abroad (otherwise most LASA programs

poorly attended)

Goal: assist students get beyond “it was

great.”

Students have inadequate skills to make

meaning of their intl experience in interview

settings

Assist students create career narratives

derived from specific cross-cultural

experiences

Assist students to draw out lessons learned

from critical incidents

Have alumni discuss obstacles they faced in

making meaning of and articulating their intl

experience

Best Campuses: UMN, MSU, Elon, Susquehanna, U Penn, Depauw, UVA, UKY, Smith, UKS

Best Resource: UMN: July 2014 Career Integration Conference web resources