Emerging from college with a crisp degree and racked with excitement, relief and debt, graduating students are faced with an existence devoid of final-paper anxiety and library chairs familiar to the contours of one’s hindquarters (at least for a while). So, what to do?
Emerging from college with a crisp degree and racked with excitement, relief and debt, graduating students are faced with an existence devoid of final-paper anxiety and library chairs familiar to the contours of one’s hindquarters (at least for a while). So, what to do?
For many, laying low for a while with a debt-heavy conscience seems to be an attractive option. “I’ve been learning German for a while on my own, and I’d really love to go put it to use after graduation. Unfortunately, I just feel weird spending any money I have on anything but paying off my loans,” art practices senior Kyle Mader said. “I’ll probably move home for a while and just work.”
For others, the idea of travel may be one among many for post-college options. But with so much angst over a dismal job market and a relatively stagnant economy, will experience abroad give graduates a leg ahead?
“In general, yes,” said Portland State Career Center councilor Mary Vance. For both graduate school applications and professional and non-professional job seeking, Vance said that students who have a trip abroad under their belt might be ahead in the game. But, Vance said, it is important to keep an eye on what practical skills can be gained or expanded upon.
“It’s really important that the student be able to tell the respective employer what they gained from the experience. So, as a result of this travel, I really became more cross culturally competent, I demonstrated my flexibility, my adaptability, my ability to think on my feet,” Vance said.
“I think you need to empathize with the employer, and in any interview, even on your resume, what you’re trying to anticipate is how to demonstrate to the employer that you have the skills, the knowledge and the experience that they’re looking for. And so while international travel can just be hugely fun and in some cases life changing, some employers are interested in hearing that, and some are like, yeah, well did you learn to speak Spanish? Can you speak Spanish on Monday morning?” Vance said.
If taking an extended vacation on another continent seems inappropriate in a time when the importance of paying off loans or finding a job trumps intercontinental exploration, work and study abroad opportunities should not be forgotten. But traveling with professional purposes may seem a daunting task. Where does one start, let alone in a foreign country with a foreign language?
Vance pointed to the PSU Career Center and its website for help. Under the ‘Finding a Job/Getting Experience’ tab, students can explore the ‘Working Outside the United States’ link for a list of the Career Center’s favorite sites for obtaining jobs around the globe. From employment opportunities in the United Nations to general international job and internship listings, the website provides students with a wealth of information on travel opportunities with a more productive slant.
Art practices senior Tyler Porterfield sees this as simply another reason to travel. “I’ve been hanging around here for a while now, I’d really like to get out and have a change of scenery,” he said. “If I can travel, work and build my chances for later job opportunities, only the logistics of getting from A to B are holding me back now.”
Traveling abroad doesn’t necessarily equate to thousands of dollars in expenses. On Airbnb.com, a search for places to stay in Berlin, Germany, generates a list of prices, few exceeding $100 per night. Most hostels charge around $20 per night. Craigslist.org provides a forum for those wishing to pay little or nothing looking for a house swap.
With a plethora of options for cheap housing and airfare (budget airlines like Ryanair offer many flights in Europe for under 20 euro) traveling after graduation not only provides a good source of plain, relaxing vacationing but also has potentially significant professional benefits.
“I think that in general, the great thing about international travel is you get to demonstrate proficiency in a second language, cross-cultural competence, flexibility, adaptability, juggling different aspects, thinking on your feet…just in general, it’s great,” Vance said.
For graduates, putting aside a little extra money and sourcing help from the Career Center may lead to both fun and beneficial opportunities abroad.
