Meeting in the Middle: Ideas for Collaboration Between IE Newcomers and Hiring Managers

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Meeting in the Middle: Ideas For Professional Collaboration Between IE Newcomers and Hiring ManagersEllen Street – DSF ConsultingTiffany Harrison – GoAbroad.comSora Friedman, Ph.D. – SIT Graduate Institute #nafsa1

This is How Ellen Came to The Field…Ellen Street@EllenStreet1

• Worked abroad at an international office

• Temporary jobs for experience and a way into the field

• Moved to a bigger city

• Found current job through Twitter!

This is How Sora Came to The Field…Sora Friedman@sorafriedman

• Active with AFS in high-school -> was an exchange student in Bolivia

• Worked in Study Abroad office in college -> studied abroad in Colombia

• Volunteered with AFS -> turned into real job!

• Attended SIT -> did practicum in England

• Found current job through networking!

This is How Tiffany Came to The Field…Tiffany Harrison@ttmharrison

• Study Abroad Experience ≠ a Job

• Social Media & Tech– Online

Networking– Blog & Guest

Posts– Twitter – LinkedIn

• Authenticity & Creativity

Let’s Hear From YouWho is a student/recent

graduate?

Who is an international education veteran?

Hopefuls: Who Are We?• Excited, motivated, well-

traveled, and unemployed!

• Chances are we learned about education through study abroad.

• Perhaps we had an internship, but we are hoping to get our first full-time job, and with the constant lack of interest in our skills, we get frustrated.

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Veterans: Who Are We?

• We are energetic, helpful, and willing to give advice to anyone who asks.

• We often blame the economic crisis for lack of jobs in our field, even though this problem existed long before then.

• Many of us came into the field through other paths.

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Veterans: Who Are We?• One size does not fit all. Here is how some veterans got

their start:

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Tips For International Education Veterans

– We can give the air of being helpful as a colleague.

– We can be easily accessible, rather than seem untouchable as a school official.

– We could allow students to assist us on a volunteer basis with parts of our position that could be done by someone else. It’s all about experience!

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Tips For International Education Veterans• Why should we do better?

– It would put excitement in your office. • Put the pep back in your step!

– Those that you assist in the beginning will help you in return when they become directors and advisors.

– Professionalization of the field prepares young workers to take over jobs in the future. (After all, you want to retire at some point!) Remember, it’s not about competition, it’s about collaboration.

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Tips For International Education Veterans

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Master's Degree Bachelor's Degree0

Ask for what you are looking for!

Tips For International Education Veterans• Model Practices and Future Trends

• This is what we could be doing:– Tasks/Jobs while still a

student/Grad Student/Intern

– Creative ideas or successes you can share with the group?

What can we do better? What ideas do YOU have?

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Tips For International Education Hopefuls• Where are we now?

– We are excited, motivated, well-traveled and unemployed!

– Chances are we learned about international education through study abroad.

– Perhaps we had an internship, but we are hoping to get our first full-time job, and with the constant lack of interest in our skills, we get frustrated.

– Entry-level jobs posted on the NAFSA Job Registry• 984 Total Jobs in 2013• 352 4-Year Jobs in 2013

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Tips For International Education Hopefuls• What can we do better?

– Be persistent.

– Network, even while in college. (By coming up with reasons to meet people in the field, your network and knowledge base will grow!)

– Be able to move, even proactively. We’re adventurous!

– Accurately explain your skills: a positive attitude is not enough.

– Create a “Digital Footprint” for yourself.#nafsa14

Creating A Digital Footprint• What does it mean? Why is it

important?

• Make social media your “Professional BFF.”

• Top Networks to Consider:– LinkedIn– Twitter– Personal Blog– Google+– Instagram

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We Just Met, But Google Me Maybe?

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Web Search

Image Search

LinkedIn Presence

Tips For International Education Hopefuls• Model Practices and Future Trends

– Put yourself in the view of IE veterans.

– Take control of your own job hunt.

– Be mindful of the bigger picture.

– Be proactive.

– Say what you feel has merit, and the ones that are willing to listen will be your future audience.

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Meeting Each Other Halfway• Collaboration – examples in the field

• Directors care about budgets. Students care about living expenses and paying back student loans. Can we achieve both (e.g. government stipends, etc.)?– School officials are surprised when GAs live in the

dorms. Consider a residence life type position so that basic expenses are covered.

– What other ideas do you have?

• If not, seek out volunteering opportunities during the wait.

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Our Examples from the Field• GoAbroad

– Summer Internship Institute• SIT Graduate Institute

– Coordinating practica to provide experience• DSF Consulting

– Learn by doing

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Meeting Each Other Halfway

Now that you have the information, who will you reach out to?

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Ellen StreetEllen@dsfconsulting.net@EllenStreet1