Rockstardom

I talk to friends and colleagues all the time about rock stars. Not the 1980's hair band rock stars (though we could all take some cues from them on how to be phenomenal). I'm talking about those people you work with who just get it. They seem to excel at everything they do, people enjoy spending time with them, most people know and respect them, and their employers never want to let them go. They are the people everyone wants to work for and with…and like real-life, one of a kind rock stars, they are a rare breed.  Are you thinking of a specific person who fits this mold? I know I am.

The Rock Star Backstory
So why am I writing about rock stars? It's because times are tough and beginning to etching out a career in education abroad (or any industry, for that matter) is cut-throat competitive. And all of us need to start "rocking it" if we're going to make it. I get emails, daily, from people wanting advice on getting a job in study abroad. These are some pretty amazing people with experiences and skills that anyone would envy. Yet, they are still struggling to get their career started or advanced in education abroad.

Last spring, I was invited to sit on a web chat panel of international ed professionals to answer questions about "Breaking Into the Field." (You can read the full transcript of the web chat and learn all about my awesome co-presenters here.) It was about a two-hour web chat and roughly 500 people logged on throughout the session to see what advice we had on becoming an education abroad pro. It was a fun and ridiculously challenging experience for me because it's much easier said than done to describe how to get a job in our field. At one point during the chat, a participant told the panel that she (not really sure if it was a woman, but just play along) had done everything we'd said - gone to conferences, done informational interviews, had professionals review her application materials, networked like crazy, read the professional documents of our field, interned for free in offices, was working on a master's degree - yet she wasn't getting anywhere with her job search. "What other advice do you have for me? What am I not trying?" she asked. It's heartbreaking to hear stories like this because she was doing everything anyone in our field would suggest. So what next? Me being the jokester/snarky bugger that I am said only half seriously, "Be a rock star." The panel kind of chuckled, because like me, they knew it was a real thing but probably impossible to describe. And like clock work, the woman writing in followed up my response with: "Could you describe what it means to be a rock star?"

Cue my jaw hitting the floor. I was stumped. I didn't know what to tell her other than you have to be exceptional, be unique in some way, figure out your story and tell it well. But I knew inside that that wasn't really the answer she was looking for. We wrapped up the web chat, said our goodbyes, and went on with our day jobs.

A couple of weeks later, the NAFSA staff contacted me and asked me if I'd give a presentation at the national conference in Houston called "How to be a Rock Star in International Education" in the Career Center as part of their professional development workshops. I immediately said yes, hung up the phone, and thought: "Hmmm…what the heck am I going to say?!"


Rock Star vs Good Enough - Why *Not* Being A Rock Star Is Okay
The session at NAFSA in Houston was small but went pretty well. And based on the feedback I got from the participants, I decided to try out this session at a couple of NAFSA regional conferences this fall (holla Region II and IV!). In my prep, I started delving even deeper into the professionalization of education abroad, thought leaders in the career coaching and business worlds, and reflecting on my own career journey. And one thing kept coming up over and over again that is VERY important to discuss.

While this post (and the series of posts to follow) are all about being exceptional, being a ROCK STAR, it is absolutely okay to NOT be a rock star. What do I mean? Well, first, you have to realize that being a rock star isn't always easy; it's not necessarily going to come naturally to a lot of people; it's going to be hard work. You'll have to make a big effort. You'll have to actively showcase yourself, your talents, your skills, your abilities - and for some people that does not sound fun. Secondly, some people want to simply be good at their jobs, happy in their position, and satisfied with who they are professionally. And that is a wonderful place to be. Some people a lot of people just want to be Good Enough, to be employees, to make a student's day, and to earn a living promoting something they love. Being a rock star isn't for everyone; but being good enough can be for anyone. Make no mistake, to get a foot in the door or to get to that next rung on the ladder, you'll have to reconsider your willingness to be a rock star. But for those of you who are perfectly content where you are and with what you're doing, keep on rocking it. Being good enough is... well…good enough.

However,  for those trying to break into the education abroad club or catapult their career to the next level, you're going to have to start thinking beyond "good enough" and start thinking knock-their-socks-off-impressive to take the next step professionally.


Why Being A Rock Star *Should* Matter - The Jobs That Don't Exist
The amazing thing about rock stars is that they can excel in ANY field. Rock stars are smart and, for the most part, they can learn the content needed to succeed in any industry. Of course, there are big exceptions to this. Highly specialized professions like medicine, law, engineering require a considerable amount of specific training and education, I get that. However, most content areas/industries can be learned. And rock stars shift from area to area because they can make things happen. If they need to learn the ins and outs of faculty-led programs, they'll do it. If they need to learn all about pharmaceutical sales, they'll rock it. My point is that being a rock star is typically independent of the content you're surrounded with - rock star characteristics transcend industry.

And that's really good news because, believe it or not, your job and your field are not safe. (Oh boy, now I sound like an alarmist!). Don't freak out - just pay attention. The world is changing at a rapid pace primarily due to technology. And we all have to come to terms with the fact that a job that exists today, may not be necessary in ten years. And a job that wasn't even a thing ten years ago, is indespensible today. The beauty of being a rock star is that you'll be ready for the shift, you'll be ready to step into that job that didn't even exist "when you were a kid." Just think about how we are slowly moving to more and more online learning in higher education. Will college and university campuses be relevant in 10 or 20 years? Will most student learning and advising move online? I don't know - but I do know that we all need to be ready for the changing nature of higher education. I read an article in Forbes recently that outlined ten jobs today that didn't exist ten years ago. A few highlights: Online Data Mining, Chief Listening Officer, and User Experience Designer. If you don't know what any of these are, you better learn. A rock star has to stay ahead of the curve.

So What Is A Rock Star?
So what does it mean to be a rock star? Seriously. How would you describe a rock star? It's not easy. Because being a rock star is often about having an X-factor, that unidentifiable, je ne sais quoi, just-on-the-tip-of-your-tongue quality that's hard to pin point but you know it when you see it. I have my own ideas on some characteristics of rock stars, but I've also enlisted some leaders in our field and others to help me round out the list. In preparation for my sessions at NAFSA, I talked with CEOs, office directors, advisors, and road warriors to find out what characteristics they would use to describe a rock star. Of course, I also read - a lot - of what executives and thought leaders from the business world had to say on the topic. My hope is that we can all emulate these characteristics in our own careers. Over the next several months I'll be writing a series of posts on what it takes to be a rock star. However, don't be fooled. Just because I'm attempting to create a tangible rock star tool-kit, it doesn't mean that 1) I've mastered or executed any of these myself or 2) That everyone will agree with my take on this. So with that little disclaimer out of the way, let's rock it. 

Images found here and here

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Interview: Taking Chances With John Christian, CAPA International Education

Sometimes I ask people to interview with me on Inside Study Abroad. Other times, I get lucky and someone stumbles upon my little slice of the internet and tells me a story that I can't help but want to share with my study abroad-loving friends and colleagues. This is the story of John Christian, a small town kid from upstate New York who became the President/CEO of CAPA International Education.

The Journey Begins
John's study abroad journey began at SUNY Oswego. One night at the campus bar, he was catching up with a good friend who'd left campus for the previous term (John had honestly thought the friend had failed out of college). To his surprise, the friend had actually been studying abroad for the semester. John's reaction? "Wait? You can do that?!" He found his way to the study abroad office (which, prior to this, he didn't even know existed), applied to a program in London, got accepted, and several weeks later found himself on his first airplane ride. Ever. Like a lot of students today, for John, studying abroad in London was a huge cultural and intellectual leap from his provincial upbringing in New York. Studying in London opened him up to a world, a way of thinking, a way of being that he never would have known or understood had he not had that time abroad. From there, John was hooked and "education abroad" became who he was.

John in Wales, UK

Take What You Can Get
So how does one go from being a study abroad student to being the President and CEO of a respected education abroad company? In John's words, his "own story was built on persistence." (I love that!) He couldn't afford to study abroad again after London, but he really wanted to work in the study abroad office at SUNY Oswego. Soooo…he wrote letters (real letters…with paper…and a pen) and called the study abroad office asking if he could help out. And they said yes. John worked as an intern in the office, and when it was time to graduate, John applied for (and got) a temporary position as a foreign student advisor in the international office. Even though John was really interested in education abroad, this was an opportunity to get some related experience and learn something, anything about international education. He took what he could get (and you should too). John knew nothing about foreign students, advising, or student visas, so he made sure to read everything he could about all of it, attended regional conferences, and asked other, more experienced, advisors for help when he needed it. Because even once you get the job - you have to master it.

Persistence & Taking Chances
John's story is laced with two consistent themes: persistence and taking chances. Enter Dr. Jose Ramon Perez, Director of Study Abroad at SUNY Oswego. To put it all in context, Dr. Perez was the person John had written all those letters to and made all those phone calls to asking for an internship in the study abroad office. And lucky for John, Dr. Perez, was the person who continued to take chance after chance on him. After accepting him to the London program, Dr. Perez then gave John an internship in the office which parlayed into a temporary position as a foreign student advisor. And because of John's persistence and good work, Dr. Perez then helped John earn a scholarship to study and live in Beijing, China, for two years learning Chinese. John's story and his success wouldn't be possible without the persistence to make things happen for himself OR without Dr. Perez's belief in his ability to capitalize on the opportunities he'd been given. From that initial chat in the campus bar where he learned about study abroad, to the "Please-let-me-work-in-the-study-abroad-office" letter, to his determination to learn and master any role he'd been given, John proves that you have to be persistent. But his story also shows that when we see talent, when we see people who have this unidentifiable quality, we need to take a chance on them. So whoever you are, wherever you are…today's challenge is to show your dedication and persistence…AND take a chance on someone you know who needs a little extra boost.

Saying Thanks
After his time in China, John earned a master's degree in London and continued to build a career in education abroad. Now he's the President and CEO (and owner) of a well-respected international education organization.

John (center) with the CAPA team at the new logo/brand launch at NAFSA in Houston.

If you're like me, you're probably reading this story and feeling pretty inspired. Well, it gets better. After years of building his own career and a study abroad company, that naive kid from upstate New York is now in a position to give back in a way that I think we all would if we could. This fall, CAPA and John have donated $200,000 to SUNY Oswego's international education initiatives. Part of this donation is ear-marked for full-ride study abroad scholarships for students to participate in the CAPA London or Beijing programs - the two destinations that launched John's own international curiosities. Fittingly, the scholarships are named in honor of Dr. Jose Ramon Perez, the man who took all those chances on John earlier in his career.

Who would you repay and honor for all the opportunities you've been given throughout your education and career? It's the stories like John's that make me hopeful I'll be in a position to show my gratitude in a monumental way some day. But for now, hopefully it inspires us all to put pen to paper and send a heart-felt thank you to all those people who took a chance on us.

John, thanks so much for sharing your story and inspiring us all to take chances!

You can learn more about CAPA's recent donation to SUNY Oswego here. And of course, be sure to connect with John on LinkedIn and say hi at a future conference (tell him you saw him on Inside Study Abroad!). As a special bonus, also check out this great blog all about London by CAPA's very own Stephanie Sadler.


Find out more about CAPA International Education:
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Psst…You can also follow Inside Study Abroad on Facebook | Twitter, connect with me on LinkedIn, and sign-up for the newsletter. Now get out there and take a chance on someone!

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Interview: Getting Down To Business With Jeff Palm, Founder of CISabroad

I'm back with another long awaited video interview from last summer (no, not 2012…2011. My slacker status is pretty secure.) After a little arm twisting, I convinced my former boss (and pal) Jeff Palm to sit down and chat with me about study abroad: choosing providers, reigning in costs, and making the most of the experience.

Jeff Palm in China

I love any chance to talk candidly with someone about the "business" of study abroad and Jeff definitely knows his stuff.

Jeff is the Executive Director (and Founder) of the Center for International Studies (CISabroad). After starting his career in university admissions, he then transitioned to international admissions where he worked on bilateral exchange agreements. By chance, he met an agent* in Sweden who would become his business partner, launching CIS together back in 2000. Back then, there weren't nearly as many providers as there are today, so this was a pretty risky venture for Jeff. But, alas, a risk worth taking. CIS has grown to be a comprehensive program provider/international education organization with programs around the globe of various durations, structures, and academic options. When I worked for Jeff at CIS, I helped launch the Student Advising Center (lovingly called, the SAC), training advisors to work with students through the decision, application, and pre-departure process. It was a challenging experience for me…and I'll never EVER underestimate the power of face to face advising again. Making a connection over the phone is tough work! I digress…back to Jeff.

Don't tell anyone…but Jeff didn't actually study abroad in college. Put down your pitch forks! As a college athlete and small town kid from Wisconsin, he wasn't really aware of the opportunities back then. But now, Jeff has seen the world and worked with thousands of students to make their study abroad dreams a reality.

Here are some of the topics we tackle during the interview:

• Not all providers are created equal. How do you vet and pick an exceptional provider?
• How do we make programs more financially accessible?
• Should study abroad be free? My opinion: no. Listen in to find out why!
• With faculty-led and short-term programs becoming more and more popular, are program providers becoming obsolete?

Of course, this wouldn't be a proper study abroad blog if we didn't have some advise for future study abroad students. Here are Jeff's top picks for making the most of your study abroad program:

Maximizing Your Study Abroad Experience - Tips from Jeff

1. Get out of your study abroad bubble - get involved in something local, do an internship, or volunteer
2. Call attention to it on your resume and cover letter - you have to sell it to the hiring manager
3. Watch out for the Grammar Police! Make sure to proofread (and have others proofread) your applications for mistakes. That's one way you'll easily be eliminated from a large stack of applications for one position.

Bonus advice from me: Meet the locals and try to learn the language! I took independent French lessons when I studied in Geneva (because my program didn't have French courses available) and I spent a month in France taking 8 hours of French per day. It's 10 years later and my French abilities are pretty dismal, but I can understand and read it pretty well. Hmmm...might be time for a sabbatical so I can rafraichir mes competences de langue francaise.  

And as I ask all my guests on Inside Study Abroad, I prodded Jeff for his dream study abroad destination if he could do college all over again. Where would he go: Scandinavia to explore his cultural roots. Boom! We'd call him a Heritage Seeker today! (Linked because I'm a grammar dork.)

Thanks so much for spending some time with us, Jeff!

You can connect with Jeff on LinkedIn and Twitter (he still only has 4 followers and has yet to tweet…maybe we can convince him to get on the social media bandwagon!)

Connect with the Center for International Studies (CISabroad)
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*Pst...About agents - If you were hoping thinking this meant a Jason Bourne-type CIA operative, I'm really sorry to disappoint. In the world of international admissions (think students who go to another country to get their entire degree...not just shorter term study abroad), an agent contracts with universities to help recruit students in their local country/region to pursue their degrees abroad. Universities in the US and all over the world use agents to help them cover a broader recruitment area and help bridge the cultural and linguistic divide.

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Interview: How David Comp Found His Niche In Education Abroad

You know when you meet someone who appears to have about a thousand things going on, but they always seem on top of everything? And you wonder "wow, does this person sleep?" and "wow, I'm a big slacker." Well, let me introduce you to David Comp.

David Comp, Costa Rica 2012

He is exactly one of those people. Last summer (no, not summer 2012…summer 2011…See? I'm a slacker.) I had the chance to interview David right after the NAFSA conference in Vancouver.

David's study abroad story started like a lot of us. Completely random. He had a chance opportunity (thanks goodness for getting sick!) to do a student exchange in high school and from there, fell in love with study abroad (and even falling in love with his now wife of 17 years during a study abroad program. Boom!). But his jump from study abroad student to study abroad career wasn't easy. No. No. Just like many of us, he started his career volunteering (i.e. for NO PAY) in an international student office (Truman State University) and a study abroad office (University of Nebraska Lincoln) while he worked on his master's degree in Human Services (fun fact: he was actually working with juvenile delinquents and people with developmental disabilities for seven years before he started his career international education).

One (of many) lessons you can learn from David's career is how he carved out a "niche" for himself within the field. He ended up writing his master's thesis on a topic that related to education abroad and submitted the massive 500-entry bibliography he'd compiled to the NAFSA Education Abroad Knowledge Community. Under the leadership of Kathleen Sideli (Director, University of Indian), that group was updating the previous bibliographies and David become a key contributor, which gave him some notoriety in the field and helped him etch out a niche/expertise in the scholarly side of education abroad. (And if you haven't noticed so far, having a research pedigree will earn you considerable respect in our field, straddling the line between student affairs and academic experiences.)

But back to David's story. Not only is he working a full time gig at the University of Chicago, running his own blog about international higher education, tweeting like a mad man, and raising a family…he's also working on his Ph to the D! (See what I mean? Does this man ever sleep?) He's at the dissertation stage and focusing his study on the Boren Scholarship and Fellowship (part of the National Security Education Program) which was launched in 1991. He's looking at the program's success in meeting the original goals/motivations outlined when it was established. If you've participated in the Boren scholarship program, I'm sure David would love to hear from you! You can contact him here. When we filmed this interview, David was at the institutional research board (IRB) approval stage and working on his survey instrument. Currently, he's completed his data collection and is in the final stages of writing the magna carta his dissertation. Get ready for a big party in spring 2013 because that's when he's planning to defend! Be sure to send him lots of dissertation love over the next 6 months!

And as I ask all my guests on InsideSA, where would David study abroad if he could go back and do college all over again? Of course, he's not your average student, so he'd apply for a grant that would allow him to circumnavigate the globe solo as an independent study. Sigh…those audacious students are always the most challenging (and fun!) to advise.

Thanks David for spending some time with us!

Be sure to connect with David!
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