Private Sector, Federal and Local Immigration Consultant Oil & Gas Scheduler Government, Non-Profit and IGO Systems Manager Sector, and Education
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Margin Analyst Center for International Studies International Services Guidebook for Employment and Employers Teacher 2013 Edition Intelligence Analyst Food Broker Editor Lawyer Foreign Service Officer Customs Broker Project Manager Financial Officer CPA Professor Financial Advisor Trainer Lists and links to employers in the Entrepreneur private sector, federal and local Immigration Consultant Oil & Gas Scheduler government, non-profit and IGO Systems Manager sector, and education. Translator Product Manager Sales Compiled by Dr. Hans Stockton, CIS Director, and Mr. Adil Gokturk, research assistant Preface This guidebook was developed to provide our You might notice that there are no job titles called, students in the Center for International “international studies-ist.” This tempts Studies with some beginning tips and links to students to make the mistake that the only start your search for careers and internships. jobs out there are in diplomacy or teaching. In fact, we estimate that less than 15% of our The Center is proud of the successes of our graduates go into foreign service or teaching. alumni who made Tiller Hall their home The majority seek employment in the private away from home; dedicated themselves to sector, non-profit, and public sectors in a learning; and have begun successful careers. variety of careers ranging from law, customs Their successes are demonstration of the brokerage, finance, and compliance and logistics. Quite a few start up their own currency of an international businesses. studies/development education in the global Your search for a career starts with you – what do marketplace. you want to do; what are you equipped to do; International Studies prepares students for the and what are you going to do to build your diversity of career options that are sampled resume while at UST? in this guidebook and we are proud of our We are happy to help you answer the above tradition of teaching, mentoring, and questions and provide you with opportunities preparing our students to make great strides to develop yourself academically, pre- in the professional world. professionally, and personally. This will, in large part, depend on your willingness to The material herein is certainly not exhaustive, engage in your education in the Center and at and intended as an initial guide to help you UST. So, don’t be shy! Get involved and use begin your career preparation. every resource possible. 2 Table of Contents Starter Points to Consider Now ………………. 2-9 Large Data Bases for job listings ……………… 10 US Federal and Related Agencies ……………. 11-14 United Nations and Related Agencies …….. 15-16 Non-Profit Agencies & Organizations ……… 17-26 Communications and Media …………………… 27-28 Local and State Government …………………… 29 Teaching and Education Abroad ……………… 30 - 32 Teaching and Education Universities ………. 33 Private Sector …………………………………………. 34-45 3 Starter Points to Consider Now • What employers are looking for in an entry level position. • Some pointers on becoming a competitive job applicant. • What you will need for your first job applications. Some Websites with general info on career searching Career Builder http://www.careerpath.com/ Adventures in Education http://www.aie.org/finding-a-career/ Careers Test http://www.careertest.net/ Mind Tools http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCDV_97.htm 4 Employers are looking for… With an entry level hire, employers are not expecting the candidate to be an expert in the field. They are looking for someone that meets the basic knowledge and skill sets required for the position and all or some of the following attributes: • Reliable – will show up to work every day and meet deadlines without fail. • A fast learner – You will be trained in the technology, techniques, and processes of the company. Do you catch on quickly? Can you master the material quickly with little remedial assistance? • Follow instructions – Can you be given instructions once and then pursue the task? Can you work with little direct supervision? • Analytical – Every task at work is a problem to be solved. Are you an analytical problem solver? Do you have an intuitive sense of where to find information to address a question? Do you have the research skills and creativity to find information quickly? • Communication – Are you able to explain yourself clearly; help others reach “the point” of a conversation quickly; avoid conflicts through clear communications? • Clear and clean writing – Can you write without typos, misspellings, and poor grammar? Your supervisor is not your proof-reader. Are you able to send memos, write reports, and emails that reflect sophistication that shine well on your employer? 5 Top Ten Things Employers Look for in New College Graduates (from AACU post at http://www.aacu.org/leap/students/employerstopten.cfm ) While you may think that choosing the “right” major is key to getting a good job, your long- term professional success will depend far more on acquiring the right skills for a rapidly changing workplace. 1. The ability to work well in teams—especially with people different from yourself 2. An understanding of science and technology and how these subjects are used in real-world settings 3. The ability to write and speak well 4. The ability to think clearly about complex problems 5. The ability to analyze a problem to develop workable solutions 6. An understanding of global context in which work is now done 7. The ability to be creative and innovative in solving problems 8. The ability to apply knowledge and skills in new settings 9. The ability to understand numbers and statistics 10. A strong sense of ethics and integrity Source: "How Should Colleges Prepare Students to Succeed in Today's Global Economy?" (Results of a national poll by Peter D. Hart Research Associates, 2007). 6 Top Ten Things Employers Look for in New College Graduates (from http://www.kavaliro.com/top-10-skills-employers-are-looking) 1. Communications Skills (listening, verbal, written). Being a clear, concise and effective communicator is critical in the workplace. This skill is evaluated based upon your initial interaction with the hiring manager. Think of this as your “first impression” skill. Having the ability to listen, write, speak effectively and facilitate communication is absolutely critical in whatever profession you are engaged in. 2. Analytical & Research Skills. Every potential employer is seeking employees who exemplify improvement. No work environment is perfect, so this is an ongoing opportunity to showcase your skill. Your ability to assess a situation, identify potential solutions and then execute accordingly is critical in the workplace. This skill is heightened if you are able to view the situation from all perspectives. 3. Self Motivation. Be proactive! Put forward your ideas and solutions. Every employer seeks a candidate who is reliable, takes initiative and works hard – so be ready to take action at any time. Showcase your work ethic. Demonstrate that you can work without supervision and fulfill your commitments. 4. Teamwork. Work confidently within a group and let your voice be heard. Maintain effective communication and a cohesive bond between your coworkers. Because so many opportunities involve working in a group setting, you must have the ability to work well with others. 5. Technical Skills. These are what you need to actually perform your work. In today’s world, most jobs require an understanding of computer hardware and software; including e-mail, word processing and spreadsheets. This skill set can translate across the job board, but varies depending on the job. 6. Strength of Character. It is important to maintain your self-identity in the workplace. You need to stand up for yourself, defend your ideas and opinions and stand by what you believe in. Employers want leaders who can set an example to the rest of the employees. 7. Interpersonal Skills. These skills are a way for employers to see how you relate to other people within your team as well as people outside of the organization. This can be measured by how you handle yourself in stressful situations, how you treat people and what your level of emotional intelligence is. It is crucial that you possess the ability to relate to your coworkers, inspire others and minimize conflict. 8. Flexibility/Adaptability. You must manage multiple assignments and tasks while setting priorities and adapting to changing conditions. Employers desire a strong but flexible team player who thrives in an environment where they are asked to effectively prioritize and juggling multiple tasks. 9. Planning/Organizing. This deals with your ability to effectively plan, organize, and execute within an allotted timeframe. It also involves goal-setting. Employers seek a results-driven achiever with a strong sense of detail orientation and time management. 10. Problem Solving Skills. Employers value an employee they can trust and do not have to micromanage constantly. Analyze the problem and examine the underlying causes before coming up with a solution and the means to achieving it. 7 Becoming a competitive job applicant Good Grades – 3.0 and higher indicate standardized Studies abroad, multiple languages, and intellectual capacity, but also travel that reflect global experience and ability to comply with rules transferability of cross-cultural and expectations. communications. Internships during college that build a strong image of you as reliable, energetic, and capable. Technical skills – courses, workshops, or certifications Extra-curricular activities that demonstrate early demonstrate leadership, development of technical initiative, and social skills. traits. 8 Job Applications Require … Different employers require different forms of documentation, so this is a general list. Start NOW developing the content and connections for these items. Cover letter – a letter that states your interest and qualifications for a position that speaks directly to that position and company. Resume – a resume that clearly lists your qualifications and attributes that qualify you as the “best person” for the job. Resume should be sculpted for the position for which you are applying.