LEVERAGING YOUR EXPERIENCE
Now that you have a fabulous international experience under your belt, how can you translate this into a useful professional tool? Below are some ways to help articulate how the skills and qualities that you have acquired will be useful in a professional setting. Using the list below, pick out 5 – 7 items that will be useful to an employer. Recall and discuss a specific situation that demonstrates the skill or quality.
SKILL
- Time management skills
- Identify problems and utilize available resources to solve the problems
- Accept responsibility
- Communicate despite barriers
- Learn quickly
- Take initiative and take risks
- Establish rapport quickly
- Function with a high level of ambiguity
- Achieve goals despite obstacles
- Handle difficult situations
- Handle stress
- Manage/Organize
- Lead others in informal or formal groups
- Conduct research despite language and cultural differences
- Cope with rejection
- Adapt to new environments
- Understand an organization's culture
- Learn through listening and observing
- Learn through mistakes
- Perform in an environment with adverse conditions
QUALITIES
- Self-reliance
- High energy level/enthusiasm
- Appreciation of diversity
- Perseverance
- Flexibility & Adaptability
- Tolerance/open-mindedness
- Assertiveness
- Inquisitiveness
- Self-confidence
- Self-knowledge
- Independence
- Openness to relocation
- Diplomatic
(Reprinted from the Metro Boston Study Abroad Re-Entry Conference, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, February 8, 2003. Presentation of Susan Ingleby, Office of Career Services, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University.)
For assistance with future endeavors or to request a formal recommendation please email Jess Thornton at jthornton@playtheglobe.org.