Exploring International Career Options

U.S. Citizens applying for international opportunities in this country are bound only by the limitations of their skills, training, and experience. In general, first gaining "international" experience in the U.S. is often the best way to ensure a long-term international career. Depending on the visa status, non-U.S. citizens are generally restricted from employment in the U.S. Visa issues and questions about work status should be directed to the Dean’s Office.

Traditional paths to overseas career opportunities include earning an advanced degree, usually in law, business, or international affairs, for example, and/or working your way up within an organization and positioning yourself for an international assignment. Success in the international job arena, however, depends mostly on the critical skill(s) you develop and the relationship of those skills to the market where you are applying.

Gaining official permission to work in a foreign country may depend on the marketability of your skills vis-a-vis the demands for those skills in the host country.

With the exception of jobs with employers like the U.S. Government and various international, nonprofit organizations and agencies, qualifying for overseas opportunities is extremely difficult for U.S. citizens immediately following graduation. There are several reasons for this difficulty, and they apply to paid and volunteer positions as well as permanent and summer opportunities abroad.

Most governments have very strict employment regulations against hiring citizens from other countries. Overseas opportunities are generally sought by citizens from many countries resulting in applicant pools becoming larger, more global and, therefore, more competitive. Without substantial work experience or advanced training, U.S. undergraduates tend to aim for "entry-level" opportunities that are likely to be filled by qualified citizens of the host country. Gaining official permission to work in a foreign country may depend on the marketability of your skills vis-a-vis the demands for those skills in the host country.

Regarding the hiring of U.S. citizens, U.S. companies overseas are subject to the same hiring restrictions as host country employers. Citizens of other countries are likely to confront similar problems and restrictions when searching for opportunities outside their country of passport.

Three profiles of an “international” career path

Foreign Affairs Officer: ‘98 Political Science major

“I work in the NATO policy office of the European Affairs Bureau, where my portfolio includes all NATO defense issues, including Afghanistan, counter-terrorism operations, and defense capabilities. I am a civil servant, and my position is through the Presidential Management Fellows Program which I entered after my masters degree in public policy. Our office deals directly with the US Mission to NATO in Brussels. We are responsible for coordinating US government policy with the Department of Defense, the NSC, etc. in regards to NATO, and then telling the US Mission so they can implement that policy. My major duties are to respond to requests for guidance from the Mission and to make sure State Department principals are prepared for trips and meetings.”

Math Teacher: ’98 Math major.

This alum worked through a company called Search Associates, which recruits at Williams, to land a job as a teaching intern at the American School in Casablanca, Morocco. He felt that “this is a great way to see a different part of the world, work with an interesting group of people, and find out if teaching is something you want to pursue!” If an intern wants to stay abroad and a teaching position opens up, it may be possible to move to a full-time position. Otherwise, the internship usually lasts one year. He emphasizes keeping an open mind when considering to what part of the world you are willing to travel.

Partner: ’81 Economics major

This alum worked at the US Securities and Exchange Commission as the senior associate chief accountant, international, in the chief accountant’s office. At the SEC she was the lead representative for international accounting issues, and she chaired an international committee for the International Organization of Securities Commissions. Since 2001, she has been at KPMG in London, England as a partner working in their international accounting standards advisory services group. Her path out of Williams led her to business school and then to KPMG where she developed her expertise in international accounting issues. She emphasizes the importance of writing and communications skills and “I wish I’d learned a foreign language – my colleagues speak 3 or 4 fluently.” Her final piece of advice: “Follow your interest rather than just plodding on a path!”

Ron Gallagher

Assistant Director

Email Mr. Gallagher

Ron is our counselor for much of the nonprofit world including social services, the arts, and entertainment. He also enjoys working with those interested in international humanitarian efforts.