Working: Walking the walk and talking the talk
me teaching class 1!
by laihiu
This article was written by Natacha Cullinan, published on 22nd January 2010 and has been read 26807 times.
Working abroad is a popular option amongst language students, as you can acquire or brush up on skills, get a better understanding of the job market abroad and most important of all: make an amazing difference to your CV! Whether you're getting an internship, doing a placement or working as part of an exchange programme, you need to find out exactly what sector(s) you want to target and whether your CV fits the bill.
Schemes
Many schemes are on offer these days, suited to either subject matter (engineering, translating etc...) to fields of interests. Popular with many, the Leonardo da Vinci programme offers the chance to work anywhere within the EU and a few other countries, on a paid internship programme. You pick your place to work in, or scroll down your university list, and voilà! Schemes are also available to engineering students with the IAESTE organisation (Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience), which helps students work in all sorts of different countries, gaining valuable experience doing so. Internships and Teaching If you're not familiar with AIESEC, then you should be now! It's an amazing organisation that has been generating talent for the past 60 years all across the globe. You can work, teach or even do volunteer work with their internships that run from 2 month to 18 month placements. Speaking of teaching, if you'd like to see what the classroom looks like from the other end of the spectrum, get in touch with the British Council for its language assistantships across the globe. EURES, the European Employment Services website, is packed with information and job vacancies across the continent—advisers in each country can give you the lowdown of what's out there so make sure you give it the once over.
CV-writing If you're worried about writing a CV, check out Europass for CV templates, CV examples and employment related documentation. Whatever you chose to work in over the year abroad, you'll be adding valuable experience to your CV. Many employers see working abroad, regardless of the job description, as an asset: it proves you are an adaptable, motivated and career-minded individual. Additionally, if you aren't too sure what to work in once you've graduated, this is a perfect way of practising the 'try before you buy' technique. You can network, improve your formal language skills, learn how the job market works and perhaps even find a position there once your internship has reached its end.
Your other option... Unis abroad: What are your choices?
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