Career Readiness

The Impact of Global Education on Your Career

A global educational experience like study abroad can boost your career development, open doors to diverse job opportunities, and help you build transferable skills. This page explores how to showcase your study abroad experience to employers.

What Employers Want

Employers value many qualities developed through study abroad: cross cultural skills, strong communication, and problem-solving abilities.
Employers are highly likely to ask about your study abroad experience during interviews. Be prepared to discuss how it shaped your personal and professional growth.
Only 10% of all undergraduates study abroad - make your resume stand out to employers!

What UC San Diego Alumni Say

39.0% agreed or strongly agreed that studying abroad helped them obtain their first job after college.

51.4% agreed or strongly agreed that studying abroad influenced their choice of career.
93.7% agreed or strongly agreed that the cross-cultural skills they learned abroad were professionally valuable.

- 2008 survey of UCSD Study Abroad alumni

Study Abroad's Transferable Skills

Here are 11 examples of transferable skills that you can gain from study abroad that are highly sought after by employers!

Understanding Global Context (one of the twelve competencies identified by the Career Center)
Teamwork/ Cross-Cultural Collaboration (one of the twelve competencies identified by the Career Center)
Intercultural competencies
Communication skills
Flexibility and adaptability
Motivation and initiative
Independence, self-reliance, and responsibility
Time management and organizational skills
Problem-solving and overcoming challenges
Goal-setting and achievement
Global awareness of economic and political issues

"Studying abroad made me more adaptable and gave me the confidence to tackle challenges in both my career and life." – UC San Diego Alum

Actions to Take While Abroad: Maximizing Your Experience

While studying abroad, engage in actions that can further boost your career readiness and professional development. Consider the following opportunities:

Shadow Professionals: Gain insights into careers you’re interested in by shadowing professionals abroad.

Conduct Informational Interviews: Learn about industries and roles by connecting with professionals in your host country. Some resources from the Career Center: Resource #1 and Resource #2

Explore Graduate Schools: Research graduate programs in your host country or other international institutions.

Network: Build international connections that may benefit you in your future career.

Participate in Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility Activities: Contribute to local communities and gain experience while enhancing your resume.

Self-Reflect and Document Key Events: Keep a journal or blog about your experiences and lessons learned, working on the ability to assess, articulate, and acknowledge personal skills and abilities and gain new insights and understandings.

Communicating Your Global Competencies in the Job Search

On Your Resume

Be sure to highlight your study abroad experiences strategically. Employers are looking for candidates who have demonstrated initiative and global awareness.

Here are three ways to incorporate your study abroad experience into your resume:

Education Section: Include the name of your program, country, and relevant coursework.
International/Intercultural Experience: If you have multiple experiences abroad, create a dedicated section to highlight them (e.g., volunteering, internships).
Relevant Experiences: Include any internships, volunteer work, or independent studies you completed abroad.

Consider including contacts from your abroad experience—such as professors, internship supervisors, or host families—as references. A reference from a professional or personal connection abroad can make a lasting impression on employers.

Example:

Bachelor of Science in Economics and Ethnic Studies Expected June 2024

University of California, San Diego GPA: 3.74

Minor: Finance

Study Abroad: Florence, Italy Spring 2022

Cover Letter

Your cover letter is your opportunity to tell the story that your resume cannot. Connect your international experiences to the specific job you’re applying for and demonstrate how the skills you gained abroad make you a stronger candidate.

Example:
While studying abroad in Spain, I developed strong communication skills by working with a team of international students on a community project. This experience gave me the confidence to work in cross-cultural environments and to adapt to new challenges quickly—skills I’m eager to bring to the position of Project Manager at [Company Name].

Interviews

Prepare to discuss your study abroad experiences in job interviews using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Reflect on a few key moments where your study abroad experience shaped your professional abilities, so you can share them effectively when asked behavioral interview questions.

Tip: Be ready to connect your experience abroad with the specific skills employers are seeking—whether it's problem-solving, leadership, or adaptability.

Resource from the Career Center: https://career.ucsd.edu/_files/TritonCareerGuide.pdf

Engage with the Career Center, UC San Diego Alumni and Fellow Returnees

Additional Resources

Career focused study abroad programs

Here is a selection of career-focused study abroad programs that are popular among UC San Diego students and alumni. (Please note, this is not a comprehensive list.)

Elevate Your Employability

Watch a video recording to learn from staff at Study Abroad and the Career Center on how Study Abroad can enhance your employability skills and support your career development goals!

Job Hunt

The Impact of Global Education on Your Career

A global educational experience like study abroad can boost your career development, open doors to diverse job opportunities, and help you build transferable skills. This page explores how to showcase your study abroad experience to employers.

What Employers Want

What UC San Diego Alumni Say

Study Abroad's Transferable Skills

"Studying abroad made me more adaptable and gave me the confidence to tackle challenges in both my career and life." – UC San Diego Alum

Actions to Take While Abroad: Maximizing Your Experience

Communicating Your Global Competencies in the Job Search

Engage with the Career Center, UC San Diego Alumni and Fellow Returnees

Meet with an Advisor at the Career Center

Connect with Alumni Globally

Build Your Global Network

Additional Resources

Career focused study abroad programs

Global Seminars and UCEAP Programs

UCEAP Health Focused Programs

Global Opportunities After Graduation

Elevate Your Employability