Cronk News: The Onion Meets the Chronicle of Higher Education

If you love The Onion and snarky articles about things like study abroad AND if you love the Chronicle of Higher Education and interesting, well-researched articles like this, then YOU WILL LOVE the Cronk of Higher Education.

As a dear friend of mine who is Director of Residence Life at a university in Boston described it, "This [higher ed news] site begs us to take ourselves a little less seriously." It's fun to take a light-hearted reflective nonsensical jab at ourselves from time to time. Especially with so much to make fun of. 

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Study Abroad Job: Program Assistant - Guilford College

If you worked as a student advisor or peer advisor in your university study abroad office, this Program Assistant job at Guilford College may be for you. With only 1-3 years experience required, new grads will find this to be a great position to get your foot in the education abroad door and well on your way to study abroad rock star status.

POSITION TITLE: Study Abroad Program Assistant

STATUS: Full-time, 12-month position

BASIC FUNCTION: Manages day-to-day operations of expanding study abroad program, supporting six semester-long faculty-led programs and numerous third-party provider arrangements, for 120+ students per year. Must have/acquire knowledge of college policies and operations, study abroad programs, foreign visa procedures, curriculum, financial reporting and other record keeping. Limited weekend and evening work as required.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITY: •develop, update, and stock paper and web-based promotional materials; •acquire substantial knowledge of program options; •advise students on study abroad options; •            manage student application and notification processes for study abroad and scholarship programs; •answer telephone and generic e-mail inquiries, including speaking with parents; •process accepted students through required documentation, including foreign visa, procedures; •organize and perform common study abroad orientation programming; •keep current on foreign visa and travel regulations for program locations; •communicate with student financial services regarding special billing; • manage schedules for visiting guests; •organize study abroad fair, dinner, and other event details; •maintain databases and important files; • process requisitions for department expenditures, including international wire transfers; •manage office supplies; •other duties as determined in consultation with Director of Study Abroad.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY: Manages day-to-day operations of expanding study abroad program, supporting six semester-long faculty-led programs and numerous third-party provider arrangements, for 120+ students per year. Must have/acquire knowledge of college policies and operations, study abroad programs, foreign visa procedures, curriculum, financial reporting and other record keeping. Limited weekend and evening work as required.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree required. One to three years experience in international/study abroad office preferred. Experience in office management considered. Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills needed. Proven customer service skills with some public presentation experience. Enjoys working with students and faculty articulating and promoting program options. Willingness to be flexible and multi-task. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (including Access) required; experience in web/graphic design and web site maintenance a plus.

DEADLINE: October 21, 2010

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Study Abroad Job: Study Abroad Coordinator - Colorado State University

Okay, so in this job at Colorado State University not only do you get to work with some pretty awesome people (I know the Assistant Director from her days at the University of Kansas), but you also get to live in glorious Fort Collins, Colorado. I'm not biased or anything, but I love living in Foco and would welcome more international ed professionals in the area. Go Rams!

Position: Study Abroad Coordinator

The Study Abroad Coordinator is the administrative professional responsible for managing a portfolio of study abroad programs in the world area of his/her expertise, providing general and region-specific study abroad advising, coordinating and overseeing the promotion and outreach activities of the Study Abroad office, liaising with affiliate and unaffiliated program providers, and supervising 6-8 student Peer Advisors. This is a full-time appointment subject to review and reappointment. This position reports to the Director of Study Abroad.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Manage CSU study abroad and reciprocal exchange programs in one or more assigned geographic regions.
• Develop and maintain participant materials for application, acceptance, registration, orientation, and evaluation specific to CSU programs in assigned areas.
• Coordinate regional and program-specific orientation sessions for outbound students. Assist with the planning and presentation of general orientation and re-entry sessions.
• Collaborate with partner institutions regarding incoming and outbound student applicants and manage student exchange balances according to exchange agreements.
• Process application and admission documents, and coordinate immigration documents for incoming exchange students

STUDY ABROAD ADVISING

• Serve as the primary campus advisor for educational opportunities abroad in one or more assigned geographic regions.
• Meet with students to assess appropriate program placement with regard to academic, personal, professional, and financial goals for Study Abroad.
• Advise students, faculty, staff and parents on CSU administrative policies and procedures as related to study abroad.
• Advise incoming exchange students on application and registration procedures at CSU; serve as primary liaison between exchange students and CSU academic departments; assist students upon arrival with housing logistics, orientation, cultural adjustment, course selection, and registration and serve as their primary advisor during entire study period at CSU.

PROMOTION AND OUTREACH

• Develop and implement comprehensive annual marketing and promotions plan for Study Abroad.
• Oversee coordination of outreach activities and make presentations about study abroad on the CSU campus.
• Coordinate two major on-campus fairs for the promotion of study abroad programs.
• Oversee the content, design, and publication of the Study Abroad catalog.
• Assist the Director with media relations, including responding to student requests for interviews.
• Oversee the design and placement of advertisements in university publications.
• Organize and maintain study abroad materials in International Resource Center.
• Coordinate annual study abroad photo and multi-media contests.

LIAISON WITH THIRD-PARTY ORGANIZATIONS

• Serve as primary point of contact at CSU for affiliate and unaffiliated program providers.
• Respond to requests for information by third-party organizations.
• Schedule and host campus visits for representatives from affiliate organizations

SUPERVISION OF PEER ADVISORS

• Hire, train, and supervise 6-8 student peer advisors.
• Coordinate staffing of the International Resource Center by Peer Advisors.
• Conduct supervisor evaluation of student employees on an annual basis

QUALIFICATIONS:

Applicants for the job must meet the following required qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree
2. Two or more years cumulative work experience in the field of international education
3. Experience living, studying or working outside of the United States for a minimum of three months
4. Public speaking experience
5. Strong written and verbal communication skills
6. Demonstrated ability to work as an effective team member
7. Demonstrated experience using MS Office Suite

Preferred qualifications include:

1. Master’s degree in a relevant field
2. Study, work, or travel experience in Asia or the Asia-Pacific region.
3. Previous experience in study abroad program administration and student advising in an academic setting
4. Experience in marketing or promotions
5. Experience supervising student employees
6. Experience using desktop publishing software
7. Experience using StudioAbroad

Application Deadline:            November 1, 2010

To Apply: Submit a cover letter specifically addressing both required and preferred qualifications, resume, and the name, phone, address and e-mail of three professional references in a single electronic file formatted in MS Word or as a .pdf document to:

Angela Perryman, Chair

Study Abroad Coordinator Search Committee

angela.perryman@colostate.edu

Review of applications will begin on Monday, November 1, 2010; however applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

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Study Abroad Job: Education Abroad Advisor & Exchange Advisor at Kennesaw State

As the cold weather approaches, a job in southern Georgia is starting to sound really nice. Not to mention that Kennesaw State has a robust study abroad operation. Both of these positions would be a great opportunity for anyone new(er) to the field to get some great advising experience. Go Owls!

Apply for this job ASAP! Applications due tomorrow, October 19!

Kennesaw State University has two new positions in the Education Abroad Office. Applicants are encouraged to apply for both:

Position: Education Abroad Advisor

Posting Number: 0402526

Job Open Date: 10-06-2010 Job Close Date: 10-19-2010

Institute of Global Initiatives, Education Abroad Office

Hours per week or course load if faculty: 40

Position status: Staff- Regular

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Position Summary:

• This position provides comprehensive guidance and support to faculty and students interested and participating in study abroad. The study abroad advisor is responsible for managing a wide range of academic and administrative functions necessary for carrying out successful overseas experiences.
• Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and 2 years experience.
• Desired Education/Experience/Skills (Additional Qualifications): Two years experience in study abroad office and/or overseas experience preferred. Vision and strong organizational and analytical skills, high motivation and energy, cross-cultural sensitivity, excellent verbal and written communication skills, computer literacy, the ability to solve problems, collaborative team spirit, and flexibility are essential.

This position offers $32,500 annually

Position: Exchange Advisor

Job Open Date: 10-06-2010 Job Close Date: 10-19-2010

Posting Number: 0402525

Institute of Global Initiatives, Education Abroad Office

Hours per week or course load if faculty: 40

Position status: Staff- Regular

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Position Summary:

• This position provides comprehensive guidance and support to faculty and students interested and participating in exchanges. The exchange advisor is responsible for managing a wide range of academic and administrative functions necessary for carrying out successful overseas experiences.
• Work schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm
• Required Education/Experience/Skills (Minimum Qualifications): Bachelor's degree and 2 years experience.
• Desired Education/Experience/Skills (Additional Qualifications): Two years experience in int'l exchange office and/or overseas experience preferred.
• Vision and strong organizational and analytical skills, high motivation and energy, cross-cultural sensitivity, excellent verbal and written communication skills, computer literacy, the ability to solve problems, collaborative team spirit, and flexibility are essential.

The salary offered for this position is $32,500 annually

Click here to learn more. 

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Study Abroad Job: Residence Manager Nido Student Living - London UK

I was weirdly lucky to see the Nido Student Living residence hall in London during the construction stage. Somewhere in my deep archives of photos, there's a picture of me in a hard hat. I'll spare you that cheesy image. The point is, it's an incredible facility that, if I were oh so blessed to have an EU work permit, I'd definitely be eager to work in - and that King's Cross location can't be beat!
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Residence Manager - Nido Student Living - London UK

Nido Student Living is looking for a Residence Manager responsible for the day-to-day management of our 1045-bed residence in the King's Cross area of Central London. This is a very entrepreneurial post for someone who has prior experience in managing student accommodation, managing sizable budgets and understands the concept and responsibilities of Residence Life.

There is a Facilities Manager onsite who oversees third party contractors (maintenance, security, housekeeping), a team of Front Desk administrators and 10 RAs currently in place.

We are not connected to a university, but accommodate students from all over the world in a fun, hip and trendy environment.

Duties include general management and ensuring smooth operations. You will develop and manage budgets, approve expenses; ensure the FM team is maintaining the building fabric; hire, train and manage a team of RAs; monitor front desk operations, manage pastoral care, and strive to create a multi-cultural atmosphere through hall events.

The candidate will be expected to administer policies and activities much like you would in a standard campus environment - residential life, student counseling, student group advising, handling of grievances, discipline, volunteer programs and responding to emergency situations.

The position of Residence Manager requires an individual who is self-motivated, capable of functioning independently and within a group, possesses strong leadership, interpersonal and communication skills. This individual must be willing to commit his/her efforts to the enhancement of Residence Life through positive role modeling and dedication to the residence experience.

Qualification
·        3 + years previous experience of managing a hall with over 500 residents
·        Budget development and management
·        Masters degree in Student Affairs, Student Psychology/Development or related field
·        Previous experience managing of a team of professionals or a large staff of RAs
·        A proven record of social programming development in residence
·        Strong communication and skills
·        Awareness of other cultures, societies and practices
·        Foreign language proficiency required
·        Flexibility to work nights and weekends as required
·        Experience living abroad and commitment to diversity
·        Strong aptitude in student judicial affairs and student counseling
·        Innovative and think like an entrepreneur
·        Preference given to those permitted to work in the EU

Salary  £30,000 + health/dental/pension benefits + a large studio apartment next to the Residence Hall. Post is 'live in' and is available immediately.

Please send cover letter and CV to cooljobs@nidostudentliving.com. We will only contact those we feel are qualified for the post.

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VIDEO: Interview with Mike Stone of StudyAbroad101.com

Recently, I had a ton of fun chatting (via skype) with Mike Stone, co-founder of www.StudyAbroad101.com, a study abroad review site. Mike sat down with me to talk about his own study abroad experience, trends in study abroad, and of course, his fear of sleep-overs.



I first met Mike and the other co-founder at a Boston-Area Study Abroad Advisors (BASAA) meeting about 2.5 years ago when Study Abroad 101 was just two guys with an interesting idea. And since I'm all about transparency in international education, I was immediately intrigued by their concept.

A few years later, when I was heading up a one-person study abroad office (what I like to call a one-woman study abroad show) at the University of South Dakota, I re-discovered Study Abroad 101. One of their growth strategies was to help small offices like mine collect student reviews of their times abroad. Of course, I was all for free help, so I enlisted their services to help me corral all those juicy study abroad evaluations that I didn't have time to collect myself. They were a big help to me in that situation and I wish them the best of luck as they continue to grow Study Abroad 101.

A big thank you to Mike Stone for taking the time to chat with me. Good times, as always.

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Who should I interview next? Is there someone you'd like to see interviewed on Inside Study Abroad? Send me your suggestions via email or leave them in the comments. I'll see if I can badger persuade them to join me for another Inside Study Abroad chat.

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