Working Abroad

Working abroad comes in all formats.  Just like in the United States, you need to devote time and energy to finding jobs and applying for them.  But finding jobs abroad takes more time and energy, so start early!  Working in a country in which you are not a citizen means you will need permission – in the form of a work visa or permit – to work legally.  Working illegally can put you in jeopardy of deportation, jail, fines, and future denial of entry into the country.  Your employer may also face fines or other sanctions. 

Work authorization is determined by each country’s government.  You will need to research what is required for the country you want to go to.  Recent graduates wanting to work abroad typically look at three options:

Temporary work permit.
With this work permit, you are limited to how much time you can spend in a country. Often, students get service
jobs since more professionally skilled positions typically require a longer time commitment.

Sponsored work permit.
With this work permit, an employer in the country you are going to applies and pays for your work authorization.  This is infrequent because employers must meet certain standards – usually proving there is not a citizen of that country that can perform the duties of the position for which you are being hired.

Working for a branch of a company or organization that is owned and operated in your own country but located abroad.
Companies or organizations owned in your country, but have branches abroad, have different regulations on hiring citizens of their own country than do the local companies and organizations of that country.  This means it’s easier and cheaper for them to get you a legal work permit.  That said, there are A LOT of people looking for these positions and they are typically looking for higher-skilled workers, so it’s very competitive.

Opportunities:

BUNAC (http://www.bunac.org/)
BUNAC is an organization that gets a work permit for you to work abroad.  What you pay is for the work permit. They also provide resources on finding a job, an orientation upon arrival, social programs and a central resource office.  With BUNAC, you can work abroad in Britain, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.  Each country sets its own limit on how long you can work legally.

Alliances Abroad (http://www.alliancesabroad.com/home/home.htm)
Work programs in England, Norway, Australia, Ireland

CDS International (http://www.cdsintl.org/fromus.html)
Work, internship, and fellowship programs in Germany and elsewhere

Things to Consider:   

  1. As a recent undergraduate, typically you will have entry-level and service opportunities open to you abroad.  For higher level jobs, you are competing against (and usually second in line for) people from that country.
  2. Consider Teaching English (formally or informally)
  3. If you want to extend your stay abroad, but have a limited amount of time with your work permit, consider working in a couple of countries
  4. If you’ve studied abroad, reconnect with the people you met – they know of jobs perfect for you. (Network, network, network!)

Resources:     

  1. DePauw University Office of Career Services - http://www.depauw.edu/admin/career/
  2. Transitions Abroad Magazine - http://www.transitionsabroad.com/ 
  3. University of Michigan's work abroad site - http://www.umich.edu/~icenter/overseas/work/index.html
  4. Escape Artist (great overseas living site) - http://www.escapeartist.com/ 
  5. GoAbroad.com (work, intern, study, volunteer, teach abroad resource site) - http://www.GoAbroad.com/