The British Open (a.k.a. The Open Championship) is one of my
favorite major golf tournaments. There
it is. I said it. Sure, I love The Master’s and The U.S. Open
as much as the next red-blooded American, but The British Open is unique. Not only because of the types of courses the
tournament is played on (links) but because of the conditions (rain, wind) and
the trophy that is awarded to the winner (Claret Jug). My only complaint is the time difference and
how/when it is broadcasted- do you know how hard it is to watch The British
Open and work at the same time? But I
digress…
So, how am I going to tie this into something
career-related? Fear not, this is a
seamless correlation. If you are
considering, are on the fence, or have never even fathomed an international
experience as a part of your undergraduate or graduate education, here is my
professional plea to do so. For this
entry, “international experience” will be intertwined with “Study Abroad” and “Co-op/Internship
Abroad”.
As many of you know, I worked in Drexel’s career center
where we helped hundreds of students every year take on International Co-op
experiences in nearly 40 countries around the world. My current employer, Arcadia University, is known
for its study abroad program and has historically been at the top of study
abroad rankings; it is embedded in the culture of the university. To say that
these institutions value the benefits of international experiences would be an
understatement!
So what does this have to do with your career? First, let’s start with the notion that many
of you probably plan on working in the sports industry in the U.S. This still applies to you! However, let’s not assume that all of you
will stick around but rather will explore careers in sports in another country
and/or continent altogether. This
especially applies to you! Co-op/Internship
Abroad and Study Abroad, to put it in basic terms, provides you with a global
perspective. You will learn how
different cultures function, how different business and sports communities
operate, and what is important and valued by others around the world including
fans and participants. In many, but not
all, cases you will learn a new language and you will understand different
forms of business etiquette and customs.
Whether you are planning on working in the U.S. upon
graduation or not, you need to convey this international experience properly to
your potential employer; here is what you should highlight:
- How you were able to adapt to a new environment
- How you were able to survive and thrive despite not knowing anyone and built relationships
- How you were able to communicate, either in English or another language, with new people
- How you needed to be detail-oriented and independent in planning and executing your travels
- How you were not afraid to take a risk and put yourself out of your comfort zone
- How you learned new and creative business practices
- How you learned a new language and/or had to use your linguistic skills
Your goal is simple- explain (and even “sell”) how these
skills and experiences translate and are transferable to what that organization
does. On paper, it might not be enough
so you must be able to verbally communicate the benefits. The notion of a “global economy” applies to
sports as well. Sports, and not just the
Olympics or World Cup, are global. Much
business is to be had here and around the world. You are a very attractive candidate because
of, not regardless of, your international experiences.
---
Mark Gress is the
Associate Director of Employer Relations for Arcadia University with a Masters
Degree from Drexel University. Mark
formerly worked as Co-Op Coordinator and Manager of Employer Relations for the
Steinbright Career Development Center at Drexel University. He also has experience with Turnkey Sports
and Entertainment, Philadelphia Eagles, and Drexel Athletics.
Connect with Mark
Gress on LinkedIn.
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