Get Your International Career in Gear - Practical Tips on Living and Working Abroad from Two Cal Grads
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Ever dream of living and working abroad but don't know where to start? Leslie Forman, who teaches entrepreneurship and works with startups in Chile (by way of several years in China) and Natalie Tan, a project manager at Lonely Planet who spent several years working at a multinational in Europe, share their experiences and practical advice on how to kick start a career abroad. Learn about factors to consider and proactive steps you can take to create an international career from two global citizens who have done it! Presented at Cal Career Center, February 23, 2013. More advice from the event and a list of international career resources can be found here: http://www.leslieforman.com/2013/03/get-your-international-career-in-gear-advice-diagrams-and-links-from-our-cal-career-center-presentation/ Thank you!
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Get Your International Career in Gear - Practical Tips on Living and Working Abroad from Two Cal Grads
- 1. Get Your International Career in Gear Leslie Forman, Universidad del Desarrollo, Cal grad ‘06 Natalie Tan, Lonely Planet, Cal grad ‘06 Cal Career Center, February 23, 2013
- 2. Where do you want to go? Why?
- 3. Leslie Forman B.A. Latin American Studies @ Cal, ’06 Study Abroad: Santiago, ’05
- 4. 2006-2007 Jiaxing University, China • Taught English outside Shanghai • Began learning Chinese in the vegetable market and on the train • Learned about Chinese mindset 2007, 2008-2011 Adventures in Corporate China • Interned at American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai • Trained attorneys, diplomats, and journalists in specialized English • Wrote ads and edited documents for corporate clients in Beijing
- 5. 2011-present Start-Up Chile, freelance work, university teaching in Chile • Joined solar energy startup that was selected for Start- Up Chile • Do editing, research, and translation projects for biotech, energy and mining companies • Teach social entrepreneurship, leadership, and English at two universities
- 6. Starter Position to Local Hire Starter Position in Target Local Industry Local Country Fluency Experience Hire Teach English Contacts How to do the work Often with or + similar $$ as Internship Culture Yes, you can and will local staff or + learn on the job! Fellowship Language or Language Study or Volunteer or Save $ + Leap Entrepreneurship A large % of long-term expats eventually choose self- employment.
- 7. Natalie Tan B.A. Mass Communications @ Cal, ’06 Study Abroad: Paris, ’06
- 8. 2007-2008 Burson-Marsteller SF • Worked at international PR agency • Gained experience with global clients and colleagues • Developed expertise in technology • Expressed interest in working abroad 2008-2011 Burson-Marsteller London • Built connections in London office and worked there for a week • Transferred to UK help grow European technology practice • Decided to go in another direction after three years
- 9. Present Lonely Planet Oakland • Pivot into the travel space • Currently managing digital projects with clients interested in content and marketing campaigns • Work closely with colleagues in UK and Australia What’s Next? MBA in Hong Kong • Moving abroad again! • Gain experience in a new market and exposure to a new culture • Grow network • Develop a truly global marketing career in US, Europe and Asia
- 10. International Office Transfer Start in your home Show your interest Get familiar with the country culture Secure job at Tell your boss Learn the culture and multinational or language of your growing company in Take on international destination country your home country projects Join local cultural Become an expert/ interest clubs rockstar Plan on Changing Network, network, Your Plans network! Secure an Explore a “starter international position” transfer Apply to a graduate Try to work/travel to program overseas your preferred destination
- 11. The Big Questions 1) Where do you want to go? 2) Why? 3) What does success mean to you? 4) How might your skills fit into the local economy? 5) How long do you intend to stay? 6) How much do you need to have saved up to make the leap?
- 12. Top Tips 1) Consider living outside the major cities. Friendlier people, fewer foreigners, more immersion and impact. 2) Learn the language! One-on-one tutoring can be efficient and fun. 3) Put yourself out there. Join local industry communities (co-working spaces, happy hours, startup incubators, etc.) and go to as many social events as you can. Be sure to follow up. 4) Be findable. Create a blog and be active on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. 5) Avoid automated hiring systems (like local versions of Monster.com). They are not designed for global candidates. Ask your friends instead.
Editor's Notes
- Welcome! It’s great to see so many people interested in learning more about launching international careers.Tonight, Leslie and I are hoping to help you get started in preparing for work abroad.We’ll start off by sharing our own stories and then dive into some practical tips. We’ll leave plenty of time for questions.Hope you can learn from our experiences and go out and shape your own!
- I knew I wanted to go into marketing when I graduated high school so I decided to study Mass Communications at Berkeley.I took a broad range of courses in writing, business, sociology, psychology and language.My study abroad semester at the UC Center in Paris really kick started my interest in living and working abroad.I enjoyed meeting people from all over the world and learning about different cultures. It was also a great way for me to get out of my comfort zone because I was forced to do all these things that I had never done before, as big negotiating a refund in French to something as little as converting currencies, distances, temperatures, etc.As the self-appointed travel planner of my group, I planned weekend trips to Munich, Barcelona, Prague, and other cities. During the four months I was in France I fell in love with traveling, learning languages, and exploring the world.
- B-M has over 100 offices in 98 countries across 6 continentsHelped a German software company launch new business productsHelped a Chinese telecommunications company adapt its comms strategy to break into the US marketAble to position myself as a leader and specialist in the fieldDuring my interview I mentioned that the global network was a big drawThese factors helped me build the business case to move abroad within my companyHow did I do that?Internal job boardApproached my boss and he started conversations with senior leadershipAlso talked to a colleague who had transferred from London to San Francisco, she put me in touch with othersWorked out of the office, talked more about the role, essentially interviewed for the jobTwo months later I was on a plane to London where I helped the technology practice grow from 5 people to over 20
- Want to gain experience in a growth market
- As you can see my experience is a bit different from Leslie’sI knew what field I wanted to be in and I wanted to build a foundation first before moving abroadI basically started growing my skillset and differentiating myself in the USCompany handled all the visa paperwork and relocation which makes things a bit easier for meFor those of you interested in the international office transfer route:Look into companies who have offices in destinations of interest to youTake on projects where you are able to work with clients and colleagues globallyJust know it isn’t guaranteed, but during this time you should be showcasing your flexibility, increasing responsibility and teamworkAs well as identify areas where you can add valueThe good news is that recent surveys show that at least 69% of US businesses plan to send employees abroad, compared to 21% five years agoKeep in mind, you may need to cast your net wider. Where you want to go may not be where the jobs are. Read country labor reports, keep up with the news, read industry publications.Research your field from the start. Find out: What international positions are likely available? What regions of the world are they likely to be in? What support you can reasonably expect to be offered? Knowing this will enable you to have a smarter job search strategy and to be more informed in your conversations.Not to discourage you, but hiring is down in most of Europe and it’s very difficult to get a visa unless you can prove that there are no local workers who can do the same job as you, a foreigner.Do you just want a change? You may need to build some experience at home first. Would you be okay taking a step down in your role or responsibilities or salary? Do research on cost of living. Talk to people. Comms in London is huge, WPP, major newspapers originated there
- Keep in mind, you may need to cast your net wider. Where you want to go may not be where the jobs are. Read country labor reports, keep up with the news, read industry publications.Research your field from the start. Find out: What international positions are likely available? What regions of the world are they likely to be in? What support you can reasonably expect to be offered? Knowing this will enable you to have a smarter job search strategy and to be more informed in your conversations.Not to discourage you, but hiring is down in most of Europe and it’s very difficult to get a visa unless you can prove that there are no local workers who can do the same job as you, a foreigner.Do you just want a change? You may need to build some experience at home first. Would you be okay taking a step down in your role or responsibilities or salary? Do research on cost of living. Talk to people. Comms in London is huge, WPP, major newspapers originated there