Study Abroad can do wonders for your résumé, but you don’t have to take our word for it:

• 76% of study abroad alumni report that their study abroad experience helped them acquire skills for the workforce (Abroad View Foundation link: http://www.abroadview.org/going/work/peters_internships.htm).
• 73% of employers cited study abroad as important when considering candidates for a junior-level position (Frontiers Journal link: http://www.frontiersjournal.com/issues/vol10/vol10-07_OrahoodKruzePearson.pdf).
• Over 90% of employers believe that study abroad alumni are likely to possess these highly desirable attributes: cross-cultural communication skills, independence, cultural awareness, maturity, and flexibility (Frontiers Journal link: http://www.frontiersjournal.com/issues/vol10/vol10-07_OrahoodKruzePearson.pdf).

However, it’s not enough just to go study abroad; you also need to learn about how to talk about your study abroad experience to a potential employer. You should not assume that your employer automatically understands the value of your study abroad experience. Don’t speak about it in vague, qualitative terms (e.g. “It was amazing and it changed my life!”); rather, focus on the specific skills you gained as a study abroad student (e.g. “I had to arrange all of the logistics for a move overseas, so I learned how to plan for major projects and troubleshoot independently.”) This blog post contains some excellent tips on how to translate your study abroad experience to employer-speak. Also check out this post on 10 professional skills that can be gained through study abroad!

The Career Center can also help you work study abroad into your résumé. You are encouraged to drop by during their walk-in consulting hours (11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Monday through Thursday), or, if those hours don’t work, you can make an appointment by stopping in Sears 206 or calling 216-368-4446.