International Internships

Internships, whether they are paid or unpaid, can be a great way of getting your foot in the door of an international office. While it may be frustrating to graduate from uni with a stellar degree only to find that your best option is to find a low-paying or non-paying internship, it is important to realize that the current economy requires individuals to have experience, even in entry-level positions. One of the best ways you can get experience is interning during school. Many programs, mainly post-graduate, require students to have an internship during the months where they are writing their dissertation. Take that time to intern at an office that would benefit your career- such as working in the international office at your university.

If you did not get the chance to intern while at school, it is not too late to snatch up an internship after you graduate. I have been able to intern at the Birmingham International Center, a wonderful organization that helps Alabama businesses think and act globally; as well, the BIC educates students across the state about the wonders and excitement of multiculturalism, diversity, and cross-cultural communication. Here, I have been able to witness first hand how important it is for businesses to maintain good working relations with different cultures and economies. With the world rapidly expanding and modernizing, now is the time for companies to begin expanding their business across borders and oceans, to markets that are developing and growing.

But, if you truly want to gain an international internship, then why not intern in a different country? There are several programs offered by third party agencies that allow students to gain access into a country that they would normally not have access to. Check out goabroad.com, http://www.goabroad.com/intern-abroad, which offers several different internships in multiple countries. Many companies prefer to have these third party organizations to set up the internship and to handle the necessary visas, but you can go directly to the company you are interested in interning with, depending on the company of course.

Overall, interning can be a great opportunity to gain valuable experience in the field of international education- experience being necessary nowadays in this tough economic climate. As well, if you are met with the option of unemployment or interning (which was my situation) then you should definitely choose the latter. Or even if you are struggling to choose between a paying job that will not provide valuable experience, and an unpaid internship that will allow you to gain experience in an international office, then think about your long-term career goals and consider going for the internship.

Rule #16 for Breaking into the Field of International Education- If you are having trouble finding work, then look for internships that will allow you to gain experience in an international office.

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The Value of Learning a Foreign Language

A common thread among international education job descriptions is the need for their employees to be able to speak at least one foreign language. Whether you are applying for job s in the U.S. or elsewhere, having this skill can greatly increase your chances of getting your foot in the door, and can open up so many more doors to careers you never thought imaginable.

So, my goal for the remainder of 2012: begin learning Mandarin Chinese. Chinese is an excellent language to try to master if you are considering entering the field of IE, simply because there are so many students from China who study around the world, and those numbers are only going to increase. 

But Chinese isn't the only valuable language that could be learned. I have also seen in these job descriptions the need for Spanish, German, French, and many more. There are many programs that are established in Latin American countries, so the need for Spanish seems to be very high, alongside Chinese. Indeed, any second language will greatly increase your chances of finding a job, as it shows your awareness and interest to a world outside of your home country.

So how does one go about learning a foreign language? I have heard Rosetta Stone is quite good (this coming from native speakers of Chinese) but also check out classes in your area for beginning courses for adults. Here in Birmingham a semester with a Chinese language school is 250 dollars, not a bad price considering the amount that you would learn over 4 months. 

Consider learning a foreign language, not just to increase your chance of getting a job, but also to expand your worldview!

Rule #15 for Breaking into the Field of International Education: Learn a Foreign Language!

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/zack-wright/49/b26/265