How well does studying abroad improve my chances for getting hired straight out of college?
Will studying abroad end being a waste of time and only for an "ok" experience, or will it boost my morale of my major and help me acquire skills for field of work. Will it also enhance my chances of landing a higher paying job fresh out of college? #career #college-bound #help
5 answers
Heena’s Answer
Ken’s Answer
This really depends upon the major which you choose.
Important factors to consider in selecting an appropriate major are
- getting to know yourself well enough to select a career area which matches your personality traits with people who are successful in career areas
- getting to know people who are involved in your appropriate career areas to see what they do, how they dog there, and what advice and suggestions that they might have for you.
Getting to know yourself and how your personality traits relate to people involved in various career opportunities is very important in your decision making process. During my many years in Human Resources and College Recruiting, I ran across too many students who had skipped this very important step and ended up in a job situation which for which they were not well suited. Selecting a career area is like buying a pair of shoes. First you have to be properly fitted for the correct size, and then you need to try on and walk in the various shoe options to determine which is fits the best and is most comfortable for you to wear. Following are some important steps which I developed during my career which have been helpful to many .
Ken recommends the following next steps:
Chrissy’s Answer
Margaret’s Answer
Studying abroad allows you to see a different way of life, experience a new culture, and learn more about yourself. Some people may overlook how in tune one becomes with themselves when they are experiencing a new culture or way of life. I would use what you learn about others along with what you learn about yourself and take this into the field you wish to start your career in. These discoveries could also lead you to figure out what career path might best suit you, along with a career in which you could excel and prove to be a leader in. Studying abroad will allow for self growth and self discovery.
Zack’s Answer
Study abroad can be a great differentiator to help your resume stand out when applying for jobs. It's a great conversation topic during interviews and how the experience may have changed your perception of particular topics (i.e. adapting to new surroundings, interacting with people of diverse backgrounds, etc.) These are all attributes that can apply to the work place so it's important to convey this to a prospective employer. Having studied abroad in college, I always loved to highlight this experience in interviews and how it expanded my view of the world!