Education - International
Employers | Online Resources & Networking
Career Opportunities in Education
(International)
International education encompasses a wide range of careers including teaching, curriculum development , technical assistance, exchange, capacity building, training and the promotion of international understanding. International education professionals work in colleges, universities, governmental agencies, non-governmental/non-profit organizations, foundations, and private firms.
Career Paths
Career paths in the field of international education are varied. To advance, one might work in a progression of positions within a particular organization or switch to similar work in another organization. They might also broaden their experience by working in several functional areas within international education. People benefit from developing a diversity of experience, permitting not only flexibility in job possibilities, but also qualifying themselves for management positions involving a variety of functional areas.
For example, professionals might work within an international exchange organization assisting with the coordination of high school exchanges, then work at a college study abroad office and/or international student office, positioning themselves to perhaps oversee an International Center or Education Abroad Program.
Entry-level positions for those graduating with a master’s degree typically involve administrative and programming responsibilities. Job titles might include: program coordinator, educational assistant, foreign student advisor, study abroad advisor, international admissions officer, or international program exchange officer.
Qualifications Necessary to Enter the Field
Required qualifications vary depending on the particular position, but most may be expected to include some or all of the following:
- Masters degree preferred in most cases, sometimes required
- International study and/or work experience preferred (not just travel)
- Experience with ethnically and culturally diverse populations
- Proficiency in a foreign language is helpful (often required)
- Knowledge of foreign educational systems, or US immigration rules and regulations
- Work experience in some aspect of international education/exchange often preferred
- Program or project management experience
- Strong oral/written communication skills, interpersonal skills
Universities and Colleges/ International Exchange Organizations/Non-profits:
- Academy for Educational Development, http://www.aed.org/
- American Field Service, www.afs.org/
- American Institute for Foreign Study, http://www.aifs.com/about_us.asp
- Council for International Exchange of Scholars, http://www.cies.org/
- Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), http://www.ciee.org/
- Institute of International Education (IIE), http://www.iie.org/
- International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX), http://www.irex.org/
- Rotary International, http://www.rotary.org/
- World Learning, http://www.worldlearning.org/
- Youth for Understanding, http://www.yfu.org/
Associations/Foundations/Government Agencies/Private Business:
- Business Council for International Understanding, http://www.bciu.org/
- Creative Associates, http://www.caii-dc.com/
- Ford Foundation, http://www.fordfound.org/
- International Foundation for Education and Self Help, http://www.ifesh.org/
- US Department of Education, http://www.ed.gov/index.jhtml
- US Department of State, http://www.state.gov/
- US Information Agency, http://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/usia/
- US Agency for International Development, http://www.usaid.gov/
Professional Associations/Websites
NAFSA: Association of International Educators (202) 462-4811, e-mail: inbox@nafsa.org; www.nafsa.org
SIETAR: International Society for Intercultural Education Training and Research (202) 466-7883; e-mail: SIETAR@compuserve.com; http://sietarinternational.org
Additional Online Resources
- Chronicle of Higher Education http://chronicle.com/
- International Career Employment Weekly http://www.internationaljobs.org/
- International Educator http://www.tieonline.com/
- Monday Developments http://www.interaction.org/monday-developments
- NAFSA Job Registry http://www.nafsa.org/job_registry_3
- Transitions Abroad http://www.transitionsabroad.com/