Why It's Important That Your Next Internship Include Global Experience
Getting experience through internships is a key part of a college student's education; but lately there has been increased emphasis on students expanding their horizons beyond U.S. borders and experiencing other cultures, in addition to getting real-world experience in their chosen career fields.
Maya Frost, author of The New Global Student, had this to say when asked why it's important for college students to do internships internationally as well as in the U.S.:
"Experience abroad--whether it's study, volunteer, internship or work--can provide a tremendous boost in terms of both personal development and career options. But don't sign up for that junior year college semester abroad assuming it will help you get a job--employers know that most organized programs offer nothing more than a chance
to party internationally with American friends. Instead, choose options that provide true cultural immersion rather than the "submarine" experience in which students are technically immersed but never get wet.
"The real value of spending time abroad as an intern is the opportunity to see how things are done in other countries. Don't think of it as a resume booster as much as a meaningful experience that develops cultural understanding, critical thinking skills and (in the best situations) language fluency. Employers are looking for those who have shown a willingness to challenge themselves in new settings--spending two months on a glorified London pub crawl is not going to impress anyone, but spending six months working for an all-Spanish newspaper in Buenos Aires is likely to show future employers that you are willing to dive into unfamiliar situations and stick it out even when things
are difficult.
"Those who have spent solid (and relatively solitary) time abroad aren't passing out another round of resumes during a lousy U.S. economy -- they are finding thrilling and often lucrative opportunities abroad that are available to them only because they have the skills AND experience required. Rather than sticking to the limited hometown options, they've got the whole world open to them -- and endless possibilities to continue learning more about themselves and the world."
"Yes, it is very important for college students to get exposure to global/international markets, companies, customers/cultures, people!!" said Gen Y senior financial analyst, Steven Burda. "Why? Because we, as a world, are changing and adapting to the new realm of business dealings and collaboration! You have to think and work globally these days to get ahead!! Get a job in international markets -- and you'll be happy you had this experience to help you in your future careers," Burda advises.
Bryan Higgins, director of international education and professor of geography and planning at SUNY Plattsburgh, was more specific in his explanation of why college students should consider doing internships abroad: "At SUNY Plattsburgh we believe it is highly beneficial for students to study abroad and do international internships. Given the increasing globalization of the United States, this global experience gives graduates a crucial edge in today's workplace, whether that means making intercultural connections or better understanding the global connections where they work. If you look at the geographical organization of business," Higgins went on, "non-profits and government in the US today, they are all entwined with global connections. Financial institutions, transnational corporations and retail operations all depend upon their international connections. More than half of the items sold at Wal-Mart in the US are made in China. Even icons of America such as Anheuser-Bush and Columbia TriStar movies, are owned by foreign corporations. Many well known businesses such as McDonalds, Dunkin Doughnuts and IBM are global corporations that garner much of their overall profit from their international operations. Even local governments frequently invest their pension funds in stocks and bonds with global connections." SUNY Plattsburgh is so committed to encouraging its students to look beyond US borders for internship experience that, three years ago, it became the first school in the State University of New York system to establish a Global Education Office to "highlight how important it is for students to make local-global connections."
The job market is becoming increasingly competitive and while it's not absolutely necessary, having spent at least one summer or semester doing an internship abroad could be the one thing that sets a candidate apart from his equally qualified competition.
