Many students embarking on a study abroad program are interested in interning or volunteering while abroad; and while abroad (and/or after coming home) many also start thinking about returning and/or staying on in country to work (over summer months or post graduation).
Time abroad can offer an unparalleled opportunity to gather information and expand your network. But it takes work, care & attention to detail, and time.
The overarching theme in leveraging your study abroad experience into an expanded network?
Talk, talk, talk, talk, talk!!
Doesn't matter what form this "talk" takes -- email, phone, commenting (and asking questions) online, introducing yourself to a speaker at a campus event, speaking face to face with an advisor (gasp!!) -- you need to talk to any & everybody.
Broadly cast, there are three tracks to follow -- in no necessary order. In fact, they probably should be running simultaneously: research, connect, followup (there is considerable overlap among all three).
Research
You need to know about the field you are interested in working in and the current climate of the place where you will be studying:
- GoinGlobal country guides (free to access for UW-Madison students via BuckyNet)
- NGO Directories
- Newspapers & news outlets around the world
- Professional associations in your field of interest: Associations Unlimited as a resource (or log-in with your UW NetID here)
An awareness of a country's visa & work permit requirements is important.
Keep in mind: you cannot do everything in advance. The web is great, but... there will be a tremendous amount of additional information and resources available to you when you arrive in country.
Connect
Do you know folks who have studied abroad where you're going? Ask your study abroad advisor for referrals: can you connect with them? When you get in country does your host institution have a career services office you can take advantage of?
Is your destination one of those that has a UW Alumni chapter or contact?
Are there businesses or organizations in Madison at work in the field you're interested in pursuing? If so, can you set up an informational interview with someone there to learn about their career path & the field in general? The same holds in country!!
Get some advising. It's not too early to speak to career services...
Keep an eye on campus programs, talks, and events in your area of interest.
Followup
You should thank and will probably need to ask clarifying questions -- do both!! If you are refered to someone, get in touch with them; if you've looked at a resource and found it worthwhile, check back.
After you return to your home institution: stay in touch with those you connected with abroad!!
A few words of caution:
Unless it is part of the study abroad program and/or you are working very closely with your study abroad advisor, think long and hard before setting up an internship or volunteer position prior to the start of your study abroad program.
Take notes and keep clear records of all contacts, resources you've explored, etc.
Be professional and have a "place" that contacts can go and/or refer others to (Facebook or LinkedIn profile, stand alone website/page, your UW email address, etc).
Google yourself -- and clean it up!!
If any of the links above are broken, or if you have thoughts to share or additional resources you'd like to suggest for inclusion, please email Go Global!
Page updated January 10, 2012.