Maximize Your Experience Abroad

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Wellesley Career Education

This resource was co-authored by Wellesley Career Education and the Wellesley Office of International Study.

Learn how to maximize your study abroad experience by connecting to the Wellesley network, exploring beyond the classroom, and reflecting on your experience.

Thinking of Study Abroad?

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Wellesley Career Education

This resource was co-authored by Wellesley Career Education and the Wellesley Office of International Study.

While it is easy to see the academic benefits of study abroad, it is also important to identify its career benefits. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has a list of competencies that contribute to the career readiness of today’s college graduates. Global/intercultural fluency was one of the marketable competencies on the list. Furthermore, in a NACE survey, employers identified their top four competencies: critical thinking/problem solving, professionalism/work ethic, teamwork, and communications skills. The great news is that you could develop all of these skills as part of your study abroad experience.

Introduction to Interviewing

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Wellesley Career Education

Career Education's Interviewing Resources are centered around The Four Pillars, or Four P’s (Preparation, Presentation, Proficiency, Partnership) of Interviewing, which serve as the foundation for a successful interviewing experience.

Leverage Your Experience Abroad

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Wellesley Career Education

Co-authored by Wellesley Career Education and the Wellesley Office of International Study.

    This resource provides tips to help you leverage your study abroad experience upon your return.

    Negotiation: An Overview

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    Wellesley Career Education

    Negotiation is often one of the most intimidating parts of the job search for so many people. People are unsure about when and if they can negotiate. In order to demystify the process and give you confidence, we have outlined what you can do to prepare for a negotiation conversation, and being prepared will make any negotiation go more smoothly.

    Applying to Graduate School

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    Wellesley Career Education

    "Do I want to apply now?" There is no simple way to answer this question because the reasoning is different for each person. This resource will help you to consider if this is the best time for you to apply for graduate school.

    Negotiation & Identity

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    Wellesley Career Education

    Your social context for negotiation will depend upon a variety of factors. This is where you may ask yourself where you are at this stage in your career journey. How do your identities, values, interests, skills, and other aspects of your background intersect with the negotiation process? All of these components are worth considering because they will inform your approach to the process. Depending on your personal situation, some components may pose more questions for you than others.

    Introduction to Graduate School

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    Wellesley Career Education

    Graduate school is an opportunity to examine a field of your choice with more specificity and direction. It gives you the tools you need to succeed in the industry of your choice. Preparation for grad school can begin as early as your first year of college as you begin conversations with your College Career Mentor about how your values, interests, and strengths align with potential fields of study.

    Artful Communication for Networking

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    Wellesley Career Education

    Whenever we interact with others, we are practicing the art of communication. It is something that is best learned by trying and failing, practicing, and observing others who are skilled. When you are exploring careers and trying to find a job, you will be meeting people and building relationships. Improving your communication skills as you try to meet people who share your professional interests should be an ongoing lifelong goal.

    Writing a Personal Statement

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    Wellesley Career Education

    A personal statement is a narrative essay that connects your background, experiences, and goals to the mission, requirements, and desired outcomes of the specific opportunity you are seeking. It is a critical component in the selection process, whether the essay is for a competitive internship, a graduate fellowship, or admittance to a graduate school program. It gives the selection committee the best opportunity to get to know you, how you think and make decisions, ways in which past experiences have been significant or formative, and how you envision your future.

    Resources for Women

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    Wellesley Career Education

    This resource presents a collection of career-related resources for women, including relevant information on employers, professional organizations, and funding sources.

    CV (curriculum vitae) Guidelines

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    Wellesley Career Education

    Your CV or curriculum vitae is similar to your resume. It clearly represents your current and past experiences and accomplishments so that your reader can understand the unique value that you bring to a job/internship/academic program. A few important differences to keep in mind about your CV are outlined in this document, along with helpful tips for format and content.

    Introduction to Networking

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    Wellesley Career Education

    For some, the idea of networking is exciting. For others, the mere mention of the word can be anxiety provoking. In either case, it is important to know:

    • Why networking is important to your lifelong career success
    • What networking actually is, and what it is not
    • Where you can effectively network
    • Skills and strategies for networking

    Requesting Faculty References

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    Wellesley Career Education

    This resource provides best practices for requesting a letter of reference from a professor. Please note that we recommend that you allow at least eight weeks for a professor to prepare a letter of reference.