Employers generally look favorably at applicants who, in addition to having a strong academic record, also have some hands-on work experience. In the increasingly globalized economy and job-market, and international work experience may be seen as especially valuable. Many study abroad programs have internship components; some are even centered around internships. It is also sometimes possible to set up some sort of work project, volunteer service, etc. in the community surrounding your program, as long as you can do with without conflict with your studies. In any of these instances, your home institution may or may not grant credit. Its policy is best something you find out about as early as possible.

Here is a check-list of things you can do before, during, and after you study abroad, to maximize its career-enhancing potential. It is adapted from a handout written by Jane Cary, formerly of Amherst College:

THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU GO

• Make a list of alumni from your college living in the city/county where you'll be. Get names and addresses from the Alumni Office.
• Talk with current students who are back from your Study site. Did any of them work or perform an internship while there?
• If yes, did they do it during the semester or after? How did they arrange it?
• Read the sections of all "work abroad" books that mention the country/city where you'll be.
• Read back issues of TRANSITIONS ABROAD magazine.
• Prepare a resume, in case you need to show an employer or internship adviser overseas what you've already done.

THINGS TO DO WHILE ABROAD:

• Maintain a "contacts" notebook. Include the name, address, and phone number, e-mail address, etc. of every interesting professional you meet
• Contact alumni. Meet then at their place of business or socially. Express your interest in staying on after your program of study ends, or your interest in returning after graduation.
• Check out the local "yellow pages" and scan the daily paper's want adds for future reference.
• Look for schools which teach in English. Go check them out. What qualifications do their teachers have?
• If in a homestay, talk often with adults in the family about the local economy. Take every opportunity to meet the family's friends and extended family, to network.
• Practice, practice, practice the local language--if English, learn the idioms, accent, vocabulary, etc. Speak with 'natives' in all walks of life, constantly. Read the local and national papers and periodicals.
• When you encounter 'older' Americans living locally, introduce yourself. Make note of where they are employed and how they obtained their positions.
• Pay attention to the cost of living, as opposed to the U.S. Figure out how much money you would need to live there.
• Have a standby friend At home pick-up and save summer job and internship information for you.
• If graduate study in that country might be an option, get application information while you're there.

AFTER RETURNING:

• Visit your campus Career Center early after you return, and often, to learn about its services for job-hunting seniors; attend all relevant job-seekers workshops.
• Learn whether firms with offices abroad recruit on campus. Don't be distressed to learn that you might have to work in the U.S. first.
• Ascertain whether you will need a higher degree to obtain the job you want. What graduate entrance exams are required? Where in the U.S. or abroad can that degree be earned?
• Make time to gather and pursue short-term and more permanent work-abroad resources.
• Prepare your resume. Make sure it adequately describes your experience abroad and all skills you acquired, including language competency.
• Keep in touch with all the contacts you gathered abroad. Write to them, stating your serious interest in returning to work in that country after graduation (if your ARE serious).
• Investigate short-session programs that teach the Teaching of English as a Second Language. Do they help with job placement?
• Determine your financial situation. Must you earn $ before you go? How long can you afford to live abroad?
• Find a buddy to job hunt with. Two heads are better than one, and you can share leads and contacts.

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