I am asked often for tips on how to enter the field of International Education. This is a question that I understand well, because when I finished my undergraduate degree, I had no idea this field existed. I knew I wanted to work in something international, but I didn't know what. My college advisors and professors had no idea of the field either. Once I finally found the field of international education, I felt like everything had finally fallen into place.
Typically the questions I get about how to enter the international education surround where to find job listings. But two more useful questions you should be asking of yourself as a candidate are:
"How do I set myself apart in this ultra competitive field?"
"How do I not work against myself?"
HOW TO SET YOURSELF APART
Have an experience abroad.
It is virtually impossible for me or any other employer to hire someone into the field of international education who has not either studied or worked abroad (or both!) It is like being a vegetarian working in a steak house. You need to understand and believe in the product in order to be able to pass on your passion and knowledge in the best way possible. Also by having gone abroad, you are able to demonstrate a sense of independence and willingness to take chances that is very valuable as an employee. So if you haven't already, study or intern abroad! I hear Athena Study Abroad is a good place to start :)
Get your degree(s).
To work in the field of education, having your education is important. Earning your degrees provides you with the educational foundation and knowledge base to perform successfully in the field. Also, whether you believe in it or not, having your degrees provides you with the credibility to advance and grow in your role in a field of highly educated and worldly people.
Network, network, network.
While this field spans the entire globe, it is a surprisingly "small" and networked group of people. We all value the input of our peers, and reputations mean a great deal when looking to hire new employees. An applicant that comes with a good reputation and/or recommendations from others in the field is sure to be set apart from the rest of the pack. Making connections can only help you, and we are a very friendly bunch (if I do say so myself!) Great places to start are national and regional conferences with organizations such as NAFSA or Forum on Education Abroad.
DON'T WORK AGAINST YOURSELF
The devil is in the details.
Misspelling the company or employer's name on a resume. Leaving in mention of another company in the cover letter from a previous job application. Calling a woman Mr. or Sir. All of these seemingly small things are actually quite large errors that would make most employers immediately disregard the application. When you are dealing with students going abroad or students coming to the US and the extremely precise work of immigration documents, I-20s, visa assistance, overseas enrollments, etc....details are EVERYTHING. Therefore, if you make large errors when you are seemingly on your best behavior and trying to present your best self in the application process, it stands to reason that details are not your strength and thus you may not be a fit for this field.
Longer is not always better.
There is an art to presenting yourself concisely and thoroughly. Resumes that are 5, 6, 7 pages long tend to lose the interest and impact for the employer. Much like friendships or dating, you don't want to over-communicate or disclose too much on the first introduction. Find a way to convey the important information, and elude to further details that can be conveyed in further discussions and/or interviews.
Don't apply for a job you don't want.
People often apply for jobs that they don't want just to see what's out there. While there is some benefit to getting interview experience, this can work against you. The interview process can be a long and consuming one for both the interviewee and interviewing company. By interviewing for, and rejecting a position due to lack of interest in a position at a company, you could jeopardize your chances at getting another chance at the same company in a position that is a better fit down the road. Be sure you would at least consider accepting the job before submitting your resume to maximize your time as well as that of the potential employer.
Happy job hunting!
Typically the questions I get about how to enter the international education surround where to find job listings. But two more useful questions you should be asking of yourself as a candidate are:
"How do I set myself apart in this ultra competitive field?"
"How do I not work against myself?"
HOW TO SET YOURSELF APART
Have an experience abroad.
It is virtually impossible for me or any other employer to hire someone into the field of international education who has not either studied or worked abroad (or both!) It is like being a vegetarian working in a steak house. You need to understand and believe in the product in order to be able to pass on your passion and knowledge in the best way possible. Also by having gone abroad, you are able to demonstrate a sense of independence and willingness to take chances that is very valuable as an employee. So if you haven't already, study or intern abroad! I hear Athena Study Abroad is a good place to start :)
Get your degree(s).
To work in the field of education, having your education is important. Earning your degrees provides you with the educational foundation and knowledge base to perform successfully in the field. Also, whether you believe in it or not, having your degrees provides you with the credibility to advance and grow in your role in a field of highly educated and worldly people.
Network, network, network.
While this field spans the entire globe, it is a surprisingly "small" and networked group of people. We all value the input of our peers, and reputations mean a great deal when looking to hire new employees. An applicant that comes with a good reputation and/or recommendations from others in the field is sure to be set apart from the rest of the pack. Making connections can only help you, and we are a very friendly bunch (if I do say so myself!) Great places to start are national and regional conferences with organizations such as NAFSA or Forum on Education Abroad.
DON'T WORK AGAINST YOURSELF
The devil is in the details.
Misspelling the company or employer's name on a resume. Leaving in mention of another company in the cover letter from a previous job application. Calling a woman Mr. or Sir. All of these seemingly small things are actually quite large errors that would make most employers immediately disregard the application. When you are dealing with students going abroad or students coming to the US and the extremely precise work of immigration documents, I-20s, visa assistance, overseas enrollments, etc....details are EVERYTHING. Therefore, if you make large errors when you are seemingly on your best behavior and trying to present your best self in the application process, it stands to reason that details are not your strength and thus you may not be a fit for this field.
Longer is not always better.
There is an art to presenting yourself concisely and thoroughly. Resumes that are 5, 6, 7 pages long tend to lose the interest and impact for the employer. Much like friendships or dating, you don't want to over-communicate or disclose too much on the first introduction. Find a way to convey the important information, and elude to further details that can be conveyed in further discussions and/or interviews.
Don't apply for a job you don't want.
People often apply for jobs that they don't want just to see what's out there. While there is some benefit to getting interview experience, this can work against you. The interview process can be a long and consuming one for both the interviewee and interviewing company. By interviewing for, and rejecting a position due to lack of interest in a position at a company, you could jeopardize your chances at getting another chance at the same company in a position that is a better fit down the road. Be sure you would at least consider accepting the job before submitting your resume to maximize your time as well as that of the potential employer.
Happy job hunting!
