Work-Abroad Opportunities
Every year, students and recent graduates express interest in traveling overseas to volunteer, intern, work, and explore new cultures. Some secure professional experiences through a study-abroad program, internship placement organization, or government-sponsored work opportunity. Others, through rigorous research, perseverance, and networking, find opportunities independently.
As a current student or recent graduate, you are likely to find that two routes to spending time overseas tend to be the most common. The most traditional route is to become a “domestic international.” This means that your international career begins in your home country. In a typical scenario, you would work for a multinational corporation in your country of origin, then apply for an international transfer, permanent or temporary, after a few years of experience. The second most common approach is to use the services of a placement organization, which, for a fee, may provide you with a customized experience and a work permit.
These two routes are the most typical, as finding entry-level work in another country can prove challenging. You will need a work permit for work, intern, teaching, and some volunteer opportunities, and most overseas employers prefer to select candidates who already possess work authorization for their country. To address this challenge, some placement organizations, special programs, and government-sponsored programs have been developed to provide assistance to students seeking country-specific work permits.
It is important to note that:
- You may need foreign language skills to secure a paid opportunity.
- You may need to secure a job/internship before you are able to apply for work authorization.
- You should begin your search early, as reviewing resources, applying for opportunities, and securing work visas takes time. This is especially important if you choose to create your own opportunity.
The resources offered this section will provide you with ideas to begin or supplement your search. Please note: The resources and links to external Web sites are provided for informational purposes only. The presence of a link does not imply the endorsement of any site by the McIntire School of Commerce.