Case Study
UniSA Re-Entry Session
Powerpoint
Outbound Mobility Best Practice Guide for Australian Universities
Re-entry Session Powerpoint
Next steps after Study Abroad
Maximising Your Experience Through
Proactive Self Marketing
Career Services
Lynne Sowerby
2011
Janene Pellarin
Regional Officer, Student Mobility
UniSA International, University of South Australia
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Optimising Your Overseas Experience
Seminar Objectives
Understanding the importance of this experience
Being clear about changes that have occurred in thinking and decision-making
Being able to define key strategies, based on:
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Self awareness - What did you learn about yourself ?
What worked and what didn‟t?
Options awareness - Is there now a different focus to your career direction ?
How can the o/s experience be translated into positive self marketing ?
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Ice breaker Activity (10 mins)
Working in table groups briefly share your experiences around
the following questions:
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Where?
When?
What?
3 things that I learned that I didn‟t know before (culture, country)
Something embarrassing / humorous
Nominate a spokesperson from your group to share with the
class one standout or highlight.
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Reflecting on my
Overseas Experience
Stage 1: Reflecting on personal changes.
Addressing key questions, including:
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2.
3.
4.
5.
What did I like most about the exchange?
What didn‟t I like?
Did it live up to expectations?
Did I achieve what I set out to achieve?
Did my family / friends think I had
changed upon my return? How?
Reflecting on my
Overseas Experience
Stage 2: Consequences of these changes.
Addressing key questions, including:
1.
2.
3.
4.
What is my attitude to future employment?
What am I passionate about?
What are my strongest communication skills?
Am I more confident than I was in my ability
to perform?
5. Can I see the relevance of targeted networking
and getting connected (face-to-face ; social networking?)
Reflecting on my
Overseas Experience
Stage 3: Utilizing these overseas
experiences as a point of difference
with a prospective employer.
Addressing key questions, including:
1. Does my resume reflect the additional breadth
of experience from the overseas exchange?
2. Which now are my key transferable skills?
3. Does my resume promote my understanding
of cultural diversity?
4. Are there contacts from overseas that would be
worth pursuing for future employment?
EMPLOYABILITY - Self Awareness
What have you learnt about yourself? (10 mins)
When completing part six Personal Goals and the Values
and Attitudes think in terms of:
• People
• Cultural Diversity
• Career Outcomes
• International Perspectives
• Future Travel / Work Options
(Source Graduate Careers Australia www.graduatecareers.com.au )
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EMPLOYABILITY - Self Awareness
What have you learnt about yourself?
What Am I Good At?
What Do I Have To Offer?
What Do I Bring To The Table?
Based on the o/s experience, provide examples for the following
situations. Can I handle …
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Working under pressure?
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Communicating at all levels?
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Working in a team environment ?
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Providing excellent customer service ?
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Administration duties ?
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Industry-related computer literacy?
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Agreed targets, sales/marketing?
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Finding innovative solutions?
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Transferable Skills
Skills you have gained specifically through your Study Abroad Experience
may include:
• Cultural Sensitivity and Awareness
• Increased Self-confidence and Resilience
• Language Proficiency
• Problem Solving
• Managing a Limited Budget
• Handling unfamiliar situations Diplomatically
• Acting as an Ambassador and Leader
• Country Specific Skills
Source Marie-Louise Hansson, Going Global, Accessed 20.06.2010 available at:
http://old.goinglobal.com/hot_topics/sweden_hansson_global.asp
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Six Global Skills
What are global skills and how are they acquired?
Demonstrating your ability to:
1. Deal with ambiguity and constant change—and love it
2. Take moderate risks and step forward in an unfamiliar situation
3. Act in a diplomatic way and build lasting relations—in the real and in the virtual world
4. Create vision for the future and how you, and your organization, fit into the bigger picture
5. Create strategies as well as put them into practical plans and actions
6. Provide leadership, regardless of position, and have respect for different nationalities,
cultures, and religions
Source Marie-Louise Hansson, Going Global, Accessed 20.06.2010 available at: http://old.goinglobal.com/hot_topics/sweden_hansson_global.asp
What do employers really think about
Study Abroad?
According to a June 2007 article in the Going Global newsletter, global executives say that “study
abroad boosts employability” and here are a few reasons why:
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Cultural awareness/sensitivity/tolerance” and an “international perspective” topped the
list of attributes valued by HR among prospective employees with study abroad experience
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75% executives cite study abroad as important criteria when evaluating candidates for
junior-level positions.
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80% human resource (HR) executives surveyed believed that a study abroad experience was
an important factor for overseas job placement within their companies.
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67% of HR executives surveyed said that a study abroad experience within a culturally
diverse student environment distinguishes a job candidate.
Source Marie-Louise Hansson, Going Global, Accessed 20.06.2010 available at:
http://old.goinglobal.com/hot_topics/sweden_hansson_global.asp
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Employer Perceptions
Study Abroad Stereotypes
Pros
Cons
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International Perspectives
Transferable Skills
Global Skills
Initiative, seeks challenges, can do
attitude.
Interesting stories, global
perspectives
Always relate your skills and
experiences to company objectives
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Wanderlust, highly independent
Not willing to settle down
Will leave at the first opportunity for
O/S experience or holiday
Employers who have not travelled
themselves may not be able to relate
to your experiences and „see‟ the
skills you can bring to their
organisation
Source: Kimberley Larsson, Abroad View, Naperville, Accessed 20.06.10 at http://www.abroadview.org/avmag/2008fall_larsson.htm
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VISIBLE JOB MARKET
20-40% of jobs are advertised
HIDDEN JOB MARKET
60-80% of jobs are never advertised
People talk
***Adelaide 2 degrees of separation***
Assessing a work environment, from a
future employment perspective …
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Job type – challenging? interesting ?
Potential progression – providing a career path ?
Professional and personal development opportunities?
Travel - national / international experiences?
Working environment - working conditions?
Friendliness of personnel policies, e.g.
– child care
– further study support
– work/life balance
• Level of salary - commission / bonuses / shares?
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What’ are the
consequences
for me?
SWOT Analysis
Consider the pros and cons of each option
– What are the risks / threats
and negative consequences of your decision?
– What are the opportunities / strengths
and positive impacts arising from your choice?
– E.g.
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Experienced ?
Good fit ?
Interesting ?
Challenging ?
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Career pathway?
Training ?
Travel ?
Flexibility ?
STRENGTHS
OPPORTUNITIES
WEAKNESSES
THREATS
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Disinterested ?
Lack of rapport ?
Language issues?
Shyness
• Down sizing?
• Location ?
• Visa status ?
• Key contact has other
commitments ?
Updating my Resume and
Covering Letters
How can I record my experiences to:
highlight my overseas achievements
and
add value to my self marketing
documents?
Activity 10 Mins. Working in Table Groups decide
which section of the resume or cover letter you
would list your Student Exchange/Study Abroad
experience. (See attached handouts as guidelines)
Elect one member to report back to the class on
your chosen section, and potential wording.
Successful Communication
Top Tips for Networking – a checklist
Am I:
• Making the most of my networks?
• Using all available resources – including the web, telephone directory, industry guides – to
find out about potential employers and leaders in the field?
• Researching professional and industry associations ?
• Tell everyone you meet about your goals and interests.
• Checking written documents before sending? Little mistakes may seem insignificant, but
they create a bad impression.
• Using the telephone appropriately? Speak clearly & confidently.
• Always following up contacts… ideally within 48 hours?
• Getting involved and developing positive relationships – to get referrals ?
• Staying alert to what is happening in your field – saying “yes” to all opportunities?
• Including selected recruitment agencies in your networking activities?
• Thanking everyone who has helped?. .
• Keeping a networking log that will record key contact?
Reflection on a session
with a key contact
After an info exchange meeting and exploring various options,
ask yourself:
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What were the important elements/issues arising from the experience?
Why did I react as I did?
What was I thinking and feeling at the time about the mentoring experience?
What do I think and feel now about what happened? Why?
What should I be aware of if a similar situation occurs?
What did I learn? What insights did I gain? How or why was this significant for me?
What aspects of my practice or learning do I want to focus on?
How can I apply my theoretical knowledge to this situation?
Have my assumptions/perspectives changed as a result of this experience? How?
How can I apply what I have learned to my life or future career?
What did
we do?
Attending other related Events
e.g. Trade Fairs, Association and Careers events
• Exhibitors are representative of major employers in
Australia – gain an overview of the market
• Learn about the staffing needs of large organisation
• Understand the recruitment process
• Look at job seeking from an employer’s perspective –
what are their needs?
• Excellent opportunity to practise meeting and interacting
with potential employers – expand your network
• Make an impression – ready to follow up
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Useful Links
• CareerFAQ‟s www.careerfaqs.com.au
• Going Global http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/careersgoingglobal/default.asp
• Career Development Tool http://www-p.unisa.edu.au/careers/
• MyCareerPlan (Jobs):
https://mycareerplan.unisa.edu.au/BrowseJobs.chpx
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Going Global – Your Global Network
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Packed with Country Career Guides
Search job postings and internships in leading organisations around the world
Key Employer Access Directory 400,000+ country specific company profiles
Subscribe to the Going Global Blog and newsletter for student experiences
Only available to students who are currently enrolled at UniSA
Once you have logged on to Going Global, you can create a personal account,
this will help you keep track of the resources you find useful
Please note that the only way you can access the Going Global website is by
clicking on the link below; you will not be able to bookmark the site in your
Favourites
http://www.unisa.edu.au/careers/students/default.asp
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Summary
If you use this experience effectively it can propel you towards successful
employment outcomes – or not, depending on whether you choose to
participate whole-heartedly and run with this uniquely advantageous
opportunity.
Your decision ... Good luck!
Lynne Sowerby and Troy Dobinson
Career Services ,UniSA
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