Working Abroad
Working internationally is often an enticing choice for those with language skills, a global mindset, or previous international experience. Whether you have an interest in international affairs due to an industry, or you have unique academic or language skills, there are a variety of career paths that will open up doors to living abroad in your career.
Living and working abroad provides an opportunity to experience different cultures, languages, and ways of life. It allows individuals to broaden their horizons, develop a global mindset, and gain a deeper understanding of the world. Choosing this path requires the ability to adapt, cross-cultural skills, a global perspective, and the resilience to embrace change and discomfort.
It is important to keep in mind that in order to work abroad you must bring skills that are very valuable to an employer that they would not be able to find in-country. Finding roles abroad requires an extra level of work in the job search. You will need to do thorough research on visa requirements in the country you would like to work in. Many companies will expect you to have a work visa already before applying for summer or full-time roles. There are countries that have different regulations depending on how long you will be in that country.
There are many industries that have opportunities abroad. So while “working abroad” may not be a traditional career pathway, it is one way of considering opportunities. The resources on this page will help you as you consider the benefits of working internationally and how to get started with exploring this option.
EXPLORE CAREERS
There are many industries that can have opportunities outside of the United States. Below are some ideas of fields that could lead to working internationally. Many of the ideas below require work experience domestically or specialized experience such as language skills or in-depth experience with a global issue (i.e. research on a specific topic or geographic region, or experience in country).
International Organizations & Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Join international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), or World Health Organization (WHO). These organizations address global issues, promote development, and coordinate international cooperation. Similarly, Non-Governmental Organizations often work on international issues. NGOs like Amnesty International, Oxfam, or Doctors Without Borders work on a range of humanitarian and advocacy issues globally. They often focus on areas such as human rights, poverty alleviation, healthcare, education, and environmental sustainability.
Government Agencies & Diplomacy
The U.S. Government maintains a strong presence overseas through embassies, consulates, and other diplomatic missions, creating a plethora of job opportunities for both American citizens and local nationals. Positions may include Foreign Service Officers, who represent and promote U.S. interests abroad, as well as Civil Service employees who support the operations of various government agencies in foreign countries. Additionally, there are opportunities with organizations like USAID (United States Agency for International Development) focused on providing assistance and support for economic development, humanitarian aid, and disaster relief efforts. Other government agencies, such as the Department of Defense and the Department of Commerce, also have a presence abroad and offer diverse roles in national security, trade, and commerce.To learn more about pursuing a career in government, check out the government page.
International Education
Careers in education internationally come in many forms. Educators could teach English abroad through programs like Fulbright, Peace Corps, or a variety of country specific organizations. Professionals that work at study abroad organizations that support domestic students in pursuing abroad programs sometimes have travel built into their work. To learn more about opportunities in the field of education, check out the education page.
Global Business
There are a vast array of role titles in the area of global business. Professionals in global business must have a strong understanding of both domestic and international markets, including the unique economic, cultural, and legal environments of various countries. Career areas could include international trade, financial, supply chain management, or global marketing, just to name a few. In order to pursue an opportunity globally in business, entry level professionals must find opportunities to grow their cross-cultural skills while working domestically to open up future job possibilities abroad.
Journalism & Media
Journalism with an international focus allows you to report on global events, conflicts, and international relations. You can work for international news outlets, broadcast networks, or digital media platforms. Journalists abroad need to have strong language skills if they are working in a country outside of their native language. Cultural competence is also necessary to successfully report and receive necessary interviews and information to provide a thorough and reliable story.
International Law
International lawyers specialize in areas such as human rights, international trade law, or international criminal law. These roles involve advocating for clients or representing countries in international legal matters. To learn more about careers in the law field, check out the law page and resources in the Advising Hub for pre-law advising.
FIND OPPORTUNITIES
Finding opportunities abroad is a much more nuanced process than your typical process in the United States. Colorado College has a variety of international fellowship resources across campus. To learn more about those opportunities check out the Scholarships and Grants page.
Below are some websites to get started in finding international opportunities. These websites can encompass job boards, volunteering opportunities, and specific employers to explore.
- BUNAC
- Experiential Learning International
- Global Experiences
- Habitat for Humanity International Volunteer Program
- Intern Abroad
- Internships Down Under
- Internship New Zealand
- Roots: Internships that Matter
- United Nations Internship Program
- Worldwide Internships
- World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF)
Teaching abroad offers a unique chance to gain international experience and develop valuable skills in cross-cultural communication and adaptability. There are a variety of considerations in looking at teaching abroad opportunities. It is important to think about finances, personal safety, the responsibilities of the job, and what cultural experiences you are seeking. A great place to start is to check out this guide from Office of Culturally & Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Education as you consider your options. For specific country information check out the TEFL Teaching Abroad Guide also available through CLD.
Below are more resources to check out for teaching abroad.
- Maximo Nivel
- NAFSA: Association of International Educators
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Association
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Career Center
- TEFL Teach English Abroad
- TES Jobs
- The International Educator
- U.S. Department of State - Office of Overseas Schools
DEVELOP YOUR INTEREST
There are many options to get involved at Colorado College and develop your career competencies. Get involved to deepen your understanding of an industry and help you decide if a job in this field is of interest to you. Planning your experience can feel daunting, so check out some industry specific ideas both on and offf campus below. As you plan, meet with the Advising Hub to discuss your major and academic interests to ensure you’re on track for your academic plans as well.
- Join on-campus clubs that allow you to practice your global skills. Some examples include Aprender Mediante Amistad (AMA), CC Students for Justice in Palestine, Colorado College Injustice Watch, Colorado College Refugee Alliance, and Enseña Club.
- Attend cultural events hosted by campus affinity groups to learn about the practices and holidays of other cultures.
- Add the Colorado College religious holiday calendar from the Chaplin’s Office to gain awareness of events of significance around the world. The calendar contains many sacred, holy, and religious holidays that are of importance to traditions represented on campus, though it is not comprehensive.
- Consider studying abroad through Global Education and Field Study to explore other cultures and international issues.
- Become a Global Outreach Team Peer Advisor on campus.
- Live in an on campus language house to immerse yourself in language practice day to day.
- Volunteer with Lutheran Family Services through the Colorado College Refugee Alliance to practice cross-cultural communication with refugees in the Colorado Springs community, including ESL tutoring. Learn more on the Collaborative for Community Engagement’s page.
- Take courses that develop your cultural competence such as Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners in the Education Department or International Relations.
- Minor or major in a foreign language of interest or take courses in that department.
- Consider majors like Race, Ethnicity, and Migration Studies, Southwest Studies, International Political Economy, Anthropology or Sociology.
- Explore scholarship options for graduate study abroad, for example, the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degrees (EMJMD) Scholarship for Master’s programs abroad in the EU, The Marshall Scholarship for graduate study in the UK, or The Mitchell Scholarship for graduate study in Ireland. These are just a few of many competitive fellowships. Schedule a Career Center appointment to learn more.
- The Peace Corps Prep Certificate offered through Colorado College is a way of bolstering your resume for Peace Corps or other international opportunities. The certificate will help you identify your areas of global focus and map your Colorado College experience to be competitive when applying to the Peace Corps.
- Check out language courses through online resources like Coursera or DuoLingo.
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CURIOUS TO LEARN MORE
- GoinGlobal is a subscription through the Tutt library that offers a variety of tools to evaluate international opportunities. Check out their country career guides to get advice on cultural standards for job searching internationally. Consider taking the CultureWizard Culture Calculator, a feature within GoinGlobal to evaluate your cultural perspective in comparison to other countries. Be sure you are on campus to utilize this resource and follow the link above.
- If you are interested in government work abroad, check out Go Government’s Work Abroad webpage.
- The Association of International Education Administrators recommends a variety of professional associations to get connected.
- The Network of International Education Associations is an informal group that convenes the leadership of nonprofit, non-governmental associations and organizations that have the main stated purpose to advance international higher education.
- The U.S. Department of State and The Department of Education have useful information about teaching overseas and how to find roles.
- Use resources from the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs as one place to consider the safety of countries of interest.
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