Build Your Resume (and Your Life) Abroad
Life after college doesn't have to be defined by briefcases, ties and the monotony of a boring office and a 9-to-5 schedule. College students and recent grads dreading the transition into the working world often consider hitting the road and taking their skills abroad. Increasing numbers of students and grads are heading overseas to work, doing everything from tending bar and working in hostels to teaching English and working for international banks. In fact, a large number of overseas workers actually work for American companies with international branches.
The options for work abroad are as varied as the places one can go. If you're looking to jumpstart your career with some international experience, there are plenty of jobs available. You just have to know how to find them.
A good first step is to decide what you want to do and for how long. This often depends on whether or not you've graduated. You can make big money working for a big company, but if you have to go back to school at the end of the summer, you'll be looking for a whole different kind of job. Restaurants, bars, hostels, farms and many other places are always looking for extra workers, and itinerant college students on summer vacation often fit the bill.
If you're tired of washing dishes for travel money and want to put your degree to good use without losing your sense of adventure, an overseas career might be just what you're looking for. Depending on the field, most overseas contracts are for one year, so you should be ready for a bit of a commitment.
Getting there by starting here
In today's world of globalization and multinational corporations, many American companies send employees abroad to work in their offices overseas. Getting a job with one of these companies can be a great way to get yourself out of the country for a year or two while still climbing the corporate ladder. The trick is to make yourself the best candidate for the overseas job. If you speak another language or have previous international experience, this should improve your chances. Even if you're still taking classes and just working part time, let your supervisors know that you're interest in an overseas assignment. This should put you on the fast track to an international gig.
It can be hard to know what companies offer international assignments to their employees. Large financial institutions, multinational corporations and companies that do business in other countries often have offices and branches abroad or require occasional overseas trips to schmooze with clients. When you find a company that you're interested in working for, check its website for international opportunities. With a click of the mouse, you can find if it is hiring for a sales specialist in Sydney or a buyer in Bangalore-it's really that easy.
Government, NGOs and International Organizations
A stint as an ambassador may be a ways off for recent college grads fresh from a game of beer pong, but there are many other options out there for young professionals looking to jumpstart their global careers.
The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that works to bring peace and development to the world. While its main headquarters is in New York City, there are also agencies located in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Denmark and Quebec. Many branches of the United Nations as well as U.N.-affiliated organizations are located in Geneva, Switzerland, along with a large community of working "expats." Most United Nations organizations have short- and long-term employment opportunities available to recent college grads and young professionals. You can also snag an internship to get your foot in the door.
According to an article by Michele Ann Jenkins, one of the founders of wikitravel.org, the majority of United Nations employment opportunities are short-term contracts lasting anywhere from three to 11 months, with needs ranging from "Web programming, to administrative work, to medical doctors and statisticians." While there are loads of options, the red tape involved in applying for a gig at the United Nations can be a bit daunting, especially for a recent college grad. But if you get the job, there are definitely some perks. According to Jenkin's article, "U.N. employees usually do not need to apply for a work visa in the country they are employed in, nor do they need to pay any taxes on their salary in either their home country or country of residence." Sounds like a pretty sweet deal for a young go-getter, who doesn't mind relocating and jumping through a few hoops. Furthermore, your job won't just be a job, but an incredible learning experience in a foreign land - which is sometimes worth more than a paycheck.
Even a low level, short-term contract with the United Nations could be your first step on the road to an exciting international career. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) offer various career and internship opportunities overseas. Visit the NGO Global Network at ngo.org for a list of NGOs associated with the United Nations. Jobs range from translators and administrators to secretaries and nurses.
Intern Abroad
If you feel that you lack the experience necessary to jump into the working world, consider participating in an international internship to help boost your résumé. The International Court of Justice (icj-cij.org), the main court for the United Nations, offers multiple internships in varying fields. Its website lists internships in information technology, finance, translation, and the department of legal matters, among others. The World Bank Group's Young Professionals program is another great starting point for career-minded college grads with an international itch. According to its website, Young Professionals are generally sent on two to three trips to developing countries, providing them with firsthand international experience. The selection process is intense, and aspiring Young Professionals must have a master's degree or equivalent, so don't stop studying just yet!
Learn to Love it
Working on the road can be as grueling as it is rewarding, no matter what you do. Being a travel writer can be exhausting, and working for a foreign company can be alienating. While you may be sitting in an office in Oman or scrubbing pint glasses for beer money in Bulgaria, you really can't complain. Just think of your friends back home, rotting away in some cubicle, working on TPS reports.
So regardless of how you make that extra travel buck, never forget to explore and learn from the world around you. Live it, love it, and send me a postcard.
Justin Jones is a writer/nomad, looking to expatriate himself in paradise. Join him at www.JustinWasHere.com.
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