Career Connections Newsletter • December 2007

Career Topic of the Month: Utilizing International Experience
Career Resource of the Month: Going Global
Spotlight on Success: SNC Alumni Profile
Career Tip of the Month: Study Abroad
Internship of the Month
Upcoming Events 

Career Topic of the Month: Utilizing International Experience

Have you studied or traveled extensively abroad?  If so, you have gained essential skills that employers seek when hiring recent grads.  Read on to learn more about how you can incorporate your international experience into your job search materials.   

As the current economy becomes more global, it is essential that we have the ability to communicate and interact with people from a variety of backgrounds and ethnicities.  Employers are placing increased emphasis on seeking employees with international experience and cultural competence.  A study conducted by Global HR News found that nearly 75% of HR executives surveyed cited study abroad as important when evaluating the resumé of a job candidate for a junior–level position.  Other findings of the study include:

• "Cultural awareness/sensitivity/tolerance" and an "international perspective" topped the list of the attributes valued by HR executives among prospective employees with study abroad experience.
• "Worldliness/sophistication" was least valued among the choices offered that included "fluency in a language," "problem-solving skills," and "independence."
• Two-thirds (67%) of HR executives surveyed said that a study abroad experience within a culturally diverse student environment distinguishes a job candidate from others studying only with students from their own country.
• Eight in 10 (80%) HR executives believed that an international education experience is important in distinguishing a candidate for overseas job placement.

Your international experience is a great way to distinguish yourself from other candidates!  Be sure to emphasize that your skills are necessary in the ever increasing global economy and transferable to any job.  You can communicate your international experience and incorporate the skills gained on your resume, cover letter, graduate school applications and interviews.

Skills/Attributes Gained from Study Abroad/International Experience
Communication Skills
Foreign language skills (Ex: Spanish, German, etc.)
Lead others in formal/informal groups
Effectively participate in group discussions with people from diverse backgrounds
Identify and manage different needs of people and groups

Interpersonal Skills
Global point of view
Appreciation of diversity
Cultural awareness
Establish rapport quickly
Understand an organization’s culture
Understand global dependence
Sensitive to other cultural values, norms, customs and communication patterns
Tolerant of differences
Open to new ideas and practices
Empathetic toward other perspectives

Organizational Skills
General travel and navigational skills
Successfully juggle multiple demands
Able to prioritize
Time management skills

Intrapersonal Skills
Patience
Function with a high level of ambiguity
Achieve goals despite obstacles
Take initiative and risks
Accept responsibility
Handle stress and difficult situations
Learn/adapt quickly
Cope with rejection
Flexibility
Assertive/self-confident
Inquisitive
Independence

• For more specific details on incorporating your international or study abroad experience into your resume, cover letter or interviews, please view the Marketing Your International Experience handout.
  

• Are you interested in working, teaching, volunteering or attending graduate school abroad?  Click here for a list of helpful resources. 
  

• For additional assistance, please contact Career Services.  

Career Resource of the Month: Going Global

Did you enjoy your study abroad experience so much that you want to go back after graduation?  Are you looking for an overseas work adventure post-graduation?  If the above sound familiar, then check out Going Global, to learn more about international employment and internship opportunities.  

The Going Global subscription database includes world-wide job openings, internship listings, industry profiles and country-specific career and employment information. More than 30,000 pages of constantly-updated content is included on topics such as: work permits/visa regulations, resume writing guidelines and examples, employment trends, salary ranges, networking groups and cultural/interviewing advice.  With Global Chat you can ask questions or share personal advice and experience with other Going Global customers from all over the world. 

Note: You will need a password to access Going Global from off-campus.  Please contact Career Services for the password to gain off-campus access.  

Spotlight on Success: SNC Alumni Profile

Caryn Harman, IBLAS (International Business and Language Area Studies), 2001
Marketing and Sales, Careerbuilder.com, Chicago, Illinois

Click here to learn about the work experience and career path of this successful SNC alum.

Check out our growing list of Alumni Profiles to learn more about their career paths, experience and to envision what you can do with a degree from St. Norbert College. 

Career Tip of the Month: Study Abroad

Studying abroad, as noted above, makes you a more desirable candidate to potential employers.  There are additional benefits to studying abroad, including:

• enriching your academic experience
• learning how to work in a new environment and culture
• taking classes taught by world renowned professors
• increasing your language skills
  

St. Norbert College offers more than 75 study abroad opportunities in 31 countries on six continents.    Contact the Study Abroad Office to learn more about the great study abroad opportunities!

Internship of the Month: Media Relations Intern

Why intern? Internships are a great opportunity to apply classroom theory to real life work and to acquire experience to make yourself more marketable for future employment. It can also be one way to "test" your chosen career area to determine if it is a good fit for you.

Media Relations Intern, Green Bay Blizzard, Green Bay

• Description:
  
• • Help create 2007 Blizzard Media Guide
    
  • Assist with delivering information to the press
  • Assist with press releases
  • Assist media with players/coaches interviews
  • Work press row during Blizzard home games
  • Game Tape Exchange
  • Assist with special and public appearances
• Qualifications: 
• • Candidate must posses strong communication skills, the ability to multi-task efficiently, very detail-oriented, and great organizational skills.
    
  • A great work ethic, positive attitude, customer service skills, team player and self-motivation are keys to succeeding in professional sports.
    
  • Interns will be asked to work outside their job descriptions, so the ability to work well with change and unexpectedness is important.
    
  • Each candidate must live in the area and have transportation and lodging available.
• Contact: If you are interested in this unique internship opportunity, please contact Nick Olsen at (920) 965-8516 or
  via e-mail at nolsen@greenbayblizzard.com.  You can visit the website at www.greenbayblizzard.com

For more information on this internship and to search for additional internships, please login to Career Connections.

Upcoming Events

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! 
The Career Services staff wishes you a safe and enjoyable Christmas Break!