As we near the end of the spring semester on campus, some Bennies and Johnnies have just completed or are nearing completion of their semester abroad. Other CSB and SJU students will soon embark on the international portion of their embedded study abroad course. As students dive into all of the logistics of returning home and moving onto their summer endeavors, it is a good time to think about how you can showcase your recent study abroad experience in a way that appeals to future employers or graduate schools. Here are some tips for highlighting your study abroad experience on LinkedIn:
- Add your study abroad experience to your LinkedIn profile
List it under “Education” or “Experience.” List the courses you took and any noteworthy research or projects you completed while abroad. Be sure to mention if you participated in an internship, and list the skills you gained. You can also add “Volunteer Experience” if you did community-based learning or volunteered abroad! - Expand Your Network
Connect with the professors and students you met during your time abroad! Staying in touch on LinkedIn will allow you to maintain the international relationships you created during your study abroad experience. - Show off your adaptability
Share with your network that you had the courage to study/intern/volunteer in another country. Take some time to reflect on the ways your time abroad helped you to grow personally and professionally, and take pride in having overcome the challenges you faced. What you’ve accomplished is both impressive and telling of your character. - Emphasize your growth in a particular field
Showcase your enriched understanding of a particular field abroad. This sets you apart from others studying the same topic or major. If you went on an embedded program, share how your classes on campus helped prepare you for the on-site portion and how being on site enhanced your learning even more. - Highlight hands-on experience
Show your network that your study abroad experience was more than just an adventure away. Spotlight your immersive experiences and the professional development that followed! Were you involved in a campus sport/club? Did you volunteer with a local school? Be sure to mention any experiential learning you had both in and outside the classroom. - Share those photos sitting in your camera roll
Your network wants to see your adventures! Complement your photos with a description about your experience and what you gained.
Any students seeking help polishing their résumé or LinkedIn profile after studying abroad are encouraged to schedule an appointment with a Career Mentor or professional staff within the Experience and Professional Development (XPD) office.