Are you looking to use the international language and cross-cultural skills you gained during your exchange program to pursue your dream career?
Employers are increasingly eager to attract employees with international experience. They know that overcoming the challenges of living and working abroad, problem-solving in new environments, and adapting to a different culture make you more interesting and skillful.
That said, many exchange alumni find it difficult to communicate the value of their exchange experience to potential employers. Employers also want to see that you can thoughtfully communicate how your exchange has helped you develop personally and professionally. Evaluating how your time abroad will benefit their organization is a key point that many applicants overlook when applying to jobs.
Explore the resources below and learn how to market your international exchange experience to shape your career path.
Resources for U.S. Alumni
Self-Assessment
We recommend using this self-assessment to identify the transferable skills you may have gained during your exchange experience.
Résumé Tips and Tricks
Check out these best practices to incorporate your exchange experience into your résumé.
Additional resources for building a competitive resume can be found using the links below:
Action Verbs to Polish your Résumé
Integrate compelling action verbs into your résumé to powerfully describe your exchange experience.
Additional resources can be found using the links below:
Commonly Asked Interview Questions
Once you have identified the transferable skills and qualities you gained through your exchange experience, you can also practice answering mock interview questions.
Tips for Acing an Informational Interview
Check out these tips for acing an informational interview.
Developing your Personal Brand
Check out these resources on developing your personal brand, online and in person.
Places to Look for Internships
- Amnesty International
- Brookings Institute
- Center for Strategic and International Studies
- Center on Foreign Relations
- Department of State
- Human Rights Watch
- Smithsonian
- United Nations Foundation
- U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs
- U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee
- United States Institute of Peace
- Wilson Center
Pathways to Careers with the U.S. Government
Check out these resources on pursuing a career with the U.S. government.
Non-Competitive Eligibility (NCE) for Federal Employment
Are you a recent alumna or alumnus of the Fulbright U.S Student Program, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, or the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) program? If so, you may be eligible for non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government! Learn more here.
To learn more about additional cultural, educational or professional exchange programs for U.S. citizens, click here.