SEPTEMBER 16, 2008 |
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Routine coincidences or noteworthy clues? A student loan mystery tale. Barry Silbert's firm makes a market in auction rate securities, and he talks candidly about them. Remember PEOPLExpress? Is GoodSearch a better mousetrap? Jeff Wendt continues a discussion with Tim Loomer about serving up IT in a very savvy industry. Ridin’ the rails. Extreme travel with Herschell. Admissions in the pincers of recruitment and retention Christopher Chapman, the new CEO of Access Group, is the right man for the job at the right time. And much more! |
Employers are growing in appreciation
However, what students consider the most rewarding might not agree with a prospective employer's view.
What do companies value most in the study abroad experience? Interestingly, they are attracted to evidence of curiosity within global-minded applicants. Within some industries and companies, the need for global thinkers exceeds the need for employees who are willing to go overseas.
I've interviewed hiring professionals on this topic, among them global companies for which an international experience is a true hiring differentiator with a payoff. Almost all of them agree that if two applicants have essentially the same resume credentials, they would hire the one who studied abroad or had other international experience.
Here's why:
• Enhanced cross-cultural awareness is critical for diverse,
global teamwork. • Global thinking skills are needed to solve problems across
the board. • Multiple language skills are ever more beneficial.
• Experience with global mobility is beneficial.
But would-be employees shouldn’t expect these companies to simply check the international experience box and move on. Overseas experience often opens up a line of questioning during the interview process—questions whose answers will affect the decision. A student should be prepared to explain what he or she did and learned. Was the experience a rigorous one with a full academic load on campus—or was it primarily just for fun? Were classes conducted in the local language? Was an internship involved? He or she should be able to make clear how the international experience will be useful to the company on the job. Where a student studies matters more and more to prospective employers. Studies and visits in China, Brazil, Russia or India signal an awareness of the growing global economies where most global companies are expanding.
Students who use study abroad time to enhance their career prospects are doing just that.
Stacie Nevadomski Berdan has spent years living and working abroad. She is a speaker and co-author of Get Ahead By Going Abroad: A Woman’s Guide to Fast-Track Career Success. Reach her at StacieNBerdan@aol.com or 203.228.4062.
Don't miss Stacie's cover story: "Get to know Hanban and the Confucius Institutes" in the September issue of The Greentree Gazette magazine.
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Event Spotlight
Greentree Gazette personnel will be at these conferences:• National Association for College Admission Counseling: September 25-27, Seattle
• Professional Development Group Student Loan/Receivables Collection Conference: September 28-October 1, St. Petersburg, FL
• Campus & Community Sustainability Conference: October 19-21, Orlando
• EDUCAUSE 2008 October 28-31, Orlando
See more upcoming conferences on GreentreeGazette.com.
“The time to act is now, not after we are forced to surrender the mantle as the world's innovation headquarters. Some creative thinking is also called for. We need to directly engage America’s youth in this discussion and reach out to them through the new media they know best.”