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Integrated Career Readiness Programming

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Navigating the journey from student to professional

The definition of success looks different for everyone and has some common themes: being happy, having a job with a sense of purpose, and having the time and energy to spend on things that bring you joy.

At AIFS Abroad, we believe that everyone deserves a career they love. Our goal is to help our participants maximize their time abroad by providing the resources they need, career development, international professional experience, and a sense of independence, to help reach their personal and career goals. From start to finish, our program structure is designed to provide support and encouragement for whatever is next on your journey.

Exploring Your Strengths

Career readiness begins with self-awareness. Rooted in positive psychology, the CliftonStrengths assessment is a foundational piece of AIFS Abroad programming. A personal development tool developed by Gallup Education, it allows users to discover where their natural talents lie, and how to incorporate them in a cover letter, interview, and their daily lives.

Focusing on your strengths daily has been shown to have profound positive effects on your personal and professional well-being. You can:

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Strengths + Internships

Prior to their internship abroad, participants receive a personalized coaching call from a certified Gallup Strengths coach, professional document review, and interview preparation. Once on-site, Strengths are incorporated into midpoint site visits, where employers and participants can reflect together on Strengths at work. Post-program participants may opt in for another coaching call with a Gallup coach to close their program with reflection and discuss future goals.

  • Students enroll, take the online CliftonStrengths assessment
  • Complete 1-hour, one-on-one coaching call with certified Gallup coach
  • Refine their professional documents through a Strengths lens
  • Practice interviewing using Strengths-based examples to speak to prior experience or their expertise
  • Midpoint site visit. Location staff meet with each participant and supervisor on-site and use a Strengths-based report to track internship progress.
  • If troubleshooting an issue in the workplace, Global Experiences staff encourage participants to identify which Strength could be accessed and start a conversation
  • If receiving academic credit, Global Experiences coursework reflects on Strengths
  • Optional second coaching call
  • Additional professional documentation edits

Strengths + Study Abroad Programs

With the introduction of the “Strengths for Study Abroad” program our students will learn how their skills and talents will be challenged by their time abroad, apply language to their individual growth during the program, and professionalize how they speak about their experiences.

Study Abroad participants can expand their Strengths knowledge within a cohort of students enrolled in AIFS Abroad programs around the world. Each term as part of their program fees participants will be able to:

  • Take the CliftonStrengths assessment
  • Be invited to participate in a virtual workshop focused on:
    • Launching your Strengths
    • Mastering your Strengths
    • Connecting Strengths with Big Topics
    • Reflecting on your study abroad experience and how to speak to your personal growth

Participants who wish to continue on their Strengths journey are eligible to work one-on-one with a trained Gallup coach. This opportunity can be scheduled by contacting your Program Manager / Program Advisor or your Program Director. This can be especially helpful if you need guidance on professionalizing your resume or looking to put Strengths into your day-to-day practices.

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