Students Receive International Career Prep

More than 100 attendees learned how to leverage their global experiences and cultural competence in the job hunt at “Global Advantage: Career Prep for Globally Engaged Students,” an event held on Jan 30. by the units of NC State Global.

The event hosted three segments: breakout workshops, an alumni panel discussion and a networking reception. During workshops, students “globalized” their elevator pitches and received tips to emphasize their international skills on their cover letters and resume. 

When asked to reflect on her experience in the “‘Globalizing’ Your Elevator Pitch” workshop, political science major Valeria Mera had this to say: “By attending the Elevator Pitch workshop, I gained clarity on what my elevator pitch should embody as well as on what skills I took away from my international experiences. After some time, it’s easy to forget that the reason these experiences are so transformative is because of the skills I learned over time. Now, because of the greater understanding I gained from this workshop, I feel confident in discussing who I am and what my goals are.” 

Afterward, NC State alumni shared during a panel session and networking reception how their own global experiences added a competitive advantage during their job search and contributed to their career success. Their words of wisdom ranged from understanding the unique expertise individuals can bring to the table to being intentional when building connections.

“Networking is the most powerful tool you can utilize to get that job,” said panelist and international alumna Ana Muresan, who currently works as the Primary Patent Examiner at the United States Patent Office. Students took those words to heart as they mingled with peers, staff members and alumni during the networking reception after the event. 

Current graduate student Rinat Kapev echoed the sentiment that being able to articulate your international experiences to prospective employers is key. “In today’s competitive and fast-paced working environment, it is crucial to know how to speak and explain who you are as a professional effectively. The global advantage event taught me how to successfully blend my international experience with other skills and education. It introduced the structure of a perfect elevator pitch and allowed me to practice and polish my speech with other classmates. I am now more confident and ready to impress employers.”

Thanks to our alumni for participating in the panel and sharing their experiences!