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Disclaimer: The entries contained within the Staff Blog should not be construed as advice; it is merely for information purposes and reflects the opinions, approaches, research, and experiences of individual staff members. Students are encouraged to attend Drop-in Advising to discuss their situation with a career advisor.
Schmooze to work internationally
April 24 2008; revised on June 09 2008
Posted by Nick Podsiadlik, Assistant Director
Liberal arts students dedicate themselves to breadth. They give their four (or five) years in school to the study of language, psychology, history, and culture—all impossibly broad topics to master at any level, but rewarding to study nonetheless. When our students begin to think about their careers, it's no surprise they want to sample all the world has to offer.
Touring and studying abroad are relatively easy. The U.S. Department of State offers country-specific, up-to-date information on tourist visas as well as harrowing warnings (word to the wise: "Showing contempt to a Brazilian government official is a serious offense."). Even better, IU's Office of Overseas Study lets students gain credit while testing the international waters.
Working abroad is more complicated. Unless you have citizenship, working in a foreign country requires the sponsorship of an organization with ties to that country. Such organizations include schools that teach English, non-profit and non-governmental humanitarian groups, governmental outfits like Peace Corps, and private companies.
Short-term volunteering and work are easier to swing than long-term work. You begin by researching potential sponsors. Check out the International Volunteering shelf in our library, the special topics in our international web link library, idealist.org, and even Google. But wait: don't go anywhere unless you know someone who can vouch for the organization you're considering! Fortunately, IU boasts a fairly cosmopolitan campus. You should be able to find students and professors familiar with any area of the world, and you ought to talk to them about your plans. Beyond IU, you may have a network already in place. Did you ever study abroad? Consult your old friends, classmates, teachers, and administrators.
Long-term work usually takes connections. The process for getting permanent residency varies with each country, but it's always complicated and difficult. A good relationship with a person in an important organization or the government will take you further than anything else. Simply filling out the paperwork may not be enough; depending where you want to work, friendship may be necessary to cut through the red tape. In some countries, bribery is well integrated into the bureaucratic system, and an outsider cannot know how to grease the wheels.
Hopefully, of course, you have something to offer. In some developed countries, like Denmark, you simply cannot get a job unless you are a nurse or have a very advanced degree and in-demand technical expertise. Even non-profit organizations are fiercely competitive. How can you pull ahead? Make friends and talk to your friends. You will need help. If you are determined to work long-term in a certain country, begin by studying and volunteering there now and build a social network for later.
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