OPPORTUNITIES ININTERNATIONAL STUDIES

Career-Building Strategies

Kirsten Brown: Advisor, IS Major

Joel Clark: Career Advisor, IS, PS, & Sociology

Michael Kruse: International Directions Advisor,Language Institute

Marie Koko: Career & Internship Specialist for Government/Politics/Policy and Social Justice Nonprofits

Csanád Siklós: Assistant Director for Students and Curriculum, Institute for Regional and International Studies

Presentation Overview

• Role of Your Major in Your Career

• Career Development in International Studies

• Strategies During College

• Strategies for Graduation & Beyond

ROLE OF YOUR MAJOR IN YOUR CAREER

How Does Your Major “Fit”

Fit with Degree

Fit with Career

Co-Curricular Learning

(Student Orgs, Volunteer,

Employment, Athletics)

Internships (Abroad, DC,

Madison)

Study Abroad,

Internship Abroad, Travel

Undergraduate Research or Independent Study with

Faculty

Major and Certificates

Liberal Arts Education (the

rest of your 120 credits)

Major Specific Goals for the Employer

Be able to answer the question What is an IS Major?” in 15 seconds

Be able to articulate what you learned / gained from experiences like study abroad or internship abroad ; rather than just simply stating that you did study abroad.

Good cover letters show the transferable skills

Not as good cover letters, state you had an experience

Start networking NOW as a process of inquiry.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT IN INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

Asking the Correct Questions

‘What jobs are open to me with a degree in International Studies?’(WRONG QUESTION)

‘What relevant knowledge, skills, and networks can I develop through my International Studies major and other experiences at UW-Madison?’(RIGHT QUESTION)

How To Start Career Development

If your career path is wide open, how do you start searching for ideas and ways to develop skills, experiences, and contacts for professional development?

If you have some ideas about what you want to do, how do you make progress towards those goals?

STRATEGIES DURING COLLEGE

1. Build international knowledge through campus resources

2. Build international knowledge through coursework

3. Gain international experience

4. Develop relevant experience & skills locally

5. Develop your personal network

6. Work closely with advisors and faculty

Build International Knowledge Through Campus Resources

• IRIS Centers• Regional expertise • Way to network directly with faculty and staff • Events with guest lecturers and visiting faculty

• Certificates

• Student organizations • European Horizons Think-Tank

• Funding• Fulbright

Build International Knowledge Through Campus Resources

L&S Career Services

• Meet with any L&S student for 30 minute appts on all career-related topics

• Host career fairs and employer site visits

• Host recruiter interviews and on campus info sessions

• Buckynet

• Connect students to alums in areas of interest (Badger Career Coaches)

Government Jobs – Comprehensive career assistance with jobs and careers related to Federal/state/city/county agencies and public officials

• Making Global Impact guide

• To the Student who wants to work in international relations blog

• Listserv: join-governmentcareers@lists.wisc.edu

Non-Profit Jobs – Lots of info and links about how to get into the NGO world. Special section on working internationally for nonprofits

Build International Knowledge Through Coursework

Develop knowledge & skills that will make you attractive in an international job market

▪ Languages

▪ Regional knowledge

▪ International knowledge relevant to your field (marketing, politics, law, policy analysis…)

▪ Quantitative analysis

Gain International Experience

Study abroad:

• Engage as much as you can with the local community

• Separate yourself from expats

• Think about course work that fits well with another major or certificate

• Make new friends and keep in touch!

Gain International Experience

• International Internships

• IIP

• Intern with domestic corporations, non-profits or public agencies with an international focus

• Wisconsin in Washington Internship Program

• Bucky Net

• L&S Career Services

Gain Relevant Experience & Skills Domestically Look for parallels between international and domestic internships & jobs

▪ Interested in development?

• Strongly consider Peace Corps (On campus recruiter drop in hours T & F | 1-3pm 106 Red Gym) or Americorps

▪ Want to use your language skills?

▪ Thinking about national security?

• IC Hiring practices and timeline

• http://Intelligencecareers.gov (hosts bi-annual virtual career fair. This year on 11/17. Register online)

• Federal resume writing

Develop a Network of Supporters•Networking is just meeting people and staying in touch

•Perform your best in classes, internships, jobs, volunteering, etc. to develop mentors

•Conduct informational interviews with alumni and other professionals

•Grow a network by cultivating relationships with people you know, sort of know, and want to know

Work Closely with Advisors & Faculty

Academic and career advisors can offer support

▪ Meet often and utilize resources across campus (e.g., L&S career services or IIP)

▪ Advisors are here to help you explore and narrow down your interests and skills

Faculty researching relevant areas may have important contacts

▪ Excel in class work, visit office hours, & get advice

STRATEGIES FOR GRADUATION & BEYOND

1. Gain relevant skills in related fields

2. Work immediately in international cities & fields

3. Consider graduate school

4. Volunteer or time-limited opportunities

5. Connect an internship to a first job

Gain Relevant Skills In Related Fields

Seek jobs to develop concrete skills that are relevant for future international-related employment

▪ THINK TRANSFERABLE SKILLS: e.g. education, logistics, events, financial development, grant writing or program management

▪ Develop these skills & your network as you work toward future international jobs

▪ Then apply for international jobs and leverage what you have learned

▪ Think about YOUR professional BRAND and how to reinforce it online and offline

Work Immediately in International Cities & Fields

•Consider moving to cities like DC or NYC: Note ‘Wisconsin in Washington,’ DC program

•Take internships or administrative jobs at firms, NGOs, and government agencies and work toward more senior positions

•If no specific job or project exists, consider proposing one.

Consider Graduate School

• Look into graduate schools with a focus on international business, linguistics, policy, etc.

• Potential for more substantive internships & networking that could lead to employment

• Confirm what you want to study before committing

• Meet with professionals in the field to learn if the degree is necessary or helpful

Volunteer or Time-Limited Opportunities

Examples of Jobs • Teaching ESL

• Working for a Non-Profit

• Working for State or Federal Government (CIA, NSA, Peace Corps)

• Foreign Service

• Domestic position with international focus

• Working for an academic institution

• Working for a for-profit company (e.g., Medical Technology) either domestically or internationally

• Language based work (e.g., translation)

CAREER DATA FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES MAJOR ALUMNI

IS Major Alumni Data by Sector

Alumni Data

Top Employers

What About You?Pair up with a neighbor and talk about your current planning

▪ What skills do you have/want to develop?

▪ How can you expand your network?

▪ What strategies can you employ now & after graduation?