3 On Your Side: Study Abroad May Help In Job Hunt
By Jim Donovan
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- For decades study abroad programs have allowed college students to explore the world while completing their studies. But as 3 On Your Side Consumer Reporter Jim Donovan finds, spending time abroad can actually give students an edge in the job hunt after graduation.
When Calvin Xu won a scholarship to help fund a year abroad in Germany during college, he was excited about the educational opportunities. But that international experience also helped land him his job as a project manager. He says, "The ability to mention that you studied abroad, and also worked abroad, was a great way to connect with different employers. To basically express, you know, how you dealt with challenges, how you dealt with different people, different cultures."
One survey found 54 percent of U.S. employer respondents actively seek or attribute value to international study experience when recruiting. Danile Obst of the Institute of International Education says, "Employers are looking for graduates who are ready to succeed in the global workforce, who have global skills such as being able to work on multinational teams or being able to speak another language."
The experience could do more than get you a foot in the door. It may contribute to long term success. Ed Hanibal of Mercer says, "As companies look at their future employment needs, they will seek out individuals that they can grow to potentially be some of their senior leaders and as part of that they need in their leadership toolkit global experience."
Cost is one of the biggest obstacles to studying or interning abroad. But there are scholarship programs available to help. Calvin paid for his trip through a State Department funded scholarship.
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