The IAS aims to help the world and to do that, it has to focus on local and international communities as well as on the global community. The World Bank Group has five operational units: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). In this article, you’ll learn about what it’s like to work at each of these entities.
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Charting your course
It is said that in life, you are the captain of your ship. While this may seem like a cliche sentiment, it is nonetheless true. You are the one who gets to decide what you want to do and where you want to go. For many people, their dreams include an illustrious career as an IAS. With this blog post, we hope to provide some guidance on how best to navigate your way towards such a career.
Travel Opportunities Are Endless
As a member of the International Association for Study Abroad (IASA), you can attend their annual conference and join the community of international educators, as well as take part in other professional development opportunities. With over 170 chapters around the world, there are many ways for you to join and make an impact in your profession. Explore career paths like advising study abroad programs, working with international students on campus, or even starting your study abroad program. The opportunities are endless.
International Living in Another Country
If you’re not already living in another country, then you should know that it’s easy to live on your terms. You’ll have the opportunity to be in control of your own life and make your own choices–something many people only dream about. Plus, there are so many other perks. For example, you can take a sabbatical from work whenever you want. You can retire early with no penalty for doing so. And you don’t need any inheritance money because healthcare costs are so low outside of the US. When considering where to move next, ask yourself what makes you happy and what type of lifestyle suits your needs best.
Use Local Connections
One of the best ways to get your foot in the door is by working with a career counselor. Get connected with one at your local community college or university and they can help you find jobs that fit your degree, skills, and interests. If you have any contacts who work in fields related to what you want to do, reach out. You never know when they might be able to allow you to get some experience. The last great resource for internships is often friends and family members ask around. IAS people who know about your search, the better chance you’ll have of finding something that suits what it is that you want out of life and work.
Consistency Is Key
One of the most common reasons people pursue an International Affairs (IA) degree is because they want to make a difference in the world. With that being said, students and professionals alike need to have their eyes set on a long-term goal that can be broken down into manageable steps. This will help them stay focused and motivated even when dealing with difficult problems and setbacks. The key is consistency. It might take you a few years before you’re ready to tackle your big international affairs career goals, but if you keep plugging away, eventually those goals will start coming together. Just remember to take small steps so you don’t get discouraged.
Get Involved in Activities That Interest You
It’s important to find ways that you can get involved in activities that interest you. This will help make your experience in the program more enjoyable and allow you to make connections with classmates, advisors, and professors. Some potential activities include club sports or a variety of extracurricular clubs on campus. This could be anything from playing a musical instrument or singing in a choir to participating in student government or running for office.
Build Relationships with Locals
It’s always a good idea to build relationships with locals, whether they’re colleagues, partners, or other people in the community. This will help you get a better sense of what is going on and who you need to know when it comes time for meetings or decisions. You’ll also have a better understanding of how others see things which can be very valuable in business negotiations.
Be Well-Dressed: It doesn’t matter if you wear jeans every day at work you should still put some effort into your appearance. After all, you never know when someone important might show up. Dress appropriately for whatever event or meeting that’s coming up and make sure your clothes are well-fitting so that you don’t give the impression that you are sloppy or unprofessional.
Smile Often: One of the best ways to make a positive impression on your clients and colleagues is by smiling often.
Other Resources
IAS offers a variety of different career paths for you to take, so you must know what you want before you choose your major. Here are some of the resources available to help you make this decision.
The Career Services tab on the Student Center on the web is a great place to start. It has information about choosing a major, resumes and covers letters, interviewing skills, internship and job search strategies, and much more.
Do an internet search of graduate careers. You’ll find all sorts of helpful articles with advice from professionals who’ve been in the field for years. And don’t forget to check out our graduate student handbook here at UGA. It will provide you with tons of valuable information including how to identify potential jobs, prepare a resume and cover letter, as well as give guidance on how best to interview or network.IAS