The “REAL” Benefits of Studying Abroad
Amidst a highly competitive job market with 73% of job seekers finding the process stressful, many students are stuck with countless unanswered job applications and rejection emails for applications from months ago. In such a strong market with high demands, it is crucial to be able to stand out within the pool full of competent candidates. In this blog we will discuss the “real” benefits of studying abroad and what experiences current employers are looking for when hiring.
The current market
Competing in a market full of candidates with various skills and experiences is challenging, so it is important to understand what employers are seeking in new hires. According to Katy Kelly, Associate Director of Career Development and International Programs at Annenberg, it is important to have strong communication and interpersonal skills that allows an individual to manage relations effectively. Katy also emphasized the demand for individuals that have a good balance of soft and hard skills which will be necessary to differentiate oneself from other candidates. In addition, as more and more companies are going global and expanding into different markets, having global communication and adaptability skills is another quality that is in demand for many companies, including startups.
Benefits of Studying Abroad
Studying abroad is merely a milestone to success, and it is up to the student to decide what they will achieve from the experience. Some students gain new perspectives through learning about a new culture, some become bilingual, and most students return with the confidence that they have grown as a person both personally and professionally. Katy explained that many students may find long-term benefits to having a study abroad experience, since they become more curious about things and are more adaptable to new environments even after they enter the workforce. Students coming back from studying abroad are also prone to develop an interest in globalization and are more likely to have a wider vision for their future career.
I’ve studied abroad and have it on my resume. What now?
Many students study abroad to take advantage of the travel opportunities and experience a new culture, but what does study abroad actually look like on a resume? Annenberg Career Programs Coordinator, Zackary Rigney, comments that just adding a line for studying abroad on the resume will not mean much. However, if the student is able to showcase the “real” value of the experience, it becomes a strong talking point. Zack mentioned, “What employers like to see is more along the lines of ‘What did you do’ while studying abroad - you immersed yourself in a culture that was unfamiliar to you… became an active member of a community in a different culture,” there are many ways that a student can present their powerful skills through having a study abroad experience. After returning from a study abroad program, students should focus on honing the hard and soft skills they have gained, define priorities for next steps, and set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-Bound) goals to further their achievements.
While students continue to survive in today’s competitive job market, employers are also competing for strong candidates that are beneficial to their businesses. There are many opportunities out there for students to develop new skills, try new things, and grow as a person. In addition to the study abroad programs, Annenberg International Programs also offer short-term career programs where students get to visit companies and meet employers and alumni abroad. Whether you are thinking of studying abroad or have studied abroad already, it is important to remember that what you learn depends on how you approach it and that we should always make the most out of every experience.