International Careers Week 2024

Whether you're a UK-based or international student, you might be considering a career outside the UK after graduation. International careers span a wide range of job sectors, and recruitment practices and employment advice can vary significantly. If you are interested in exploring opportunities abroad, don't miss the International Careers Week, taking place in the 3rd week of Michaelmas term 2024.

Between Monday 28 October and Friday 1 November 2024, you will have the chance to hear from Oxford University careers advisers and inspiring guest speakers about the opportunities available to you and learn where to find specialised guidance to help you navigate your international career journey.

International Careers Week: 28 October - 1 November 2024

Below is the list of events for International Careers Week, all taking place online. Oxford University students, researchers and alumni are welcome to attend. Click on the event links to find out more about each one and to secure your place. 

About the sessions

Monday 28 October

Using Your Year Abroad and Internship Experience to Strengthen Your CV

12:30 - 13:15,  Online 

This session is designed to help you think about the skills and competencies you acquired while undertaking your work experience, either secured during your year abroad or during an internship.

Tuesday 29 October 

Interning in the US, culture, visas and practicalities 

13:00 - 14:00,  Online 

In this session we will be joined by Megan Ames from InterExchange. We will share practical tips and advice on living and interning in the USA, including  information on visas, culture and more.

Wednesday 30 October 

East Asia Careers Day 

12:00 - 14:00,  Online 

Curious about opportunities in China, Japan and South Korea, and keen to plan ahead to make a well-informed application? Oxford students and alumni are warmly invited, for the first time, to an online East Asia Careers Day alongside counterparts from Durham, Sheffield, St Andrews, Edinburgh, and Imperial College London.

Thursday 31 October 

Scholarships and work opportunities in Japan 

12:00-13:00,  Online 

In this session, we will be joined by Susan Meehan, Grants and Scholarships Officer at the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation. Susan will cover a range of Scholarships for living and studying in Japan, including the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation, the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET), and the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship. 

Introduction to Careers in International Development 

13:00-14:00  Online 

Are you thinking about a career in International Development, but don't know much about the sector? If so, this session could be for you. In this introductory session we will be discussing how the sector is structured, different types of roles and how to find jobs and work experience opportunities. 

Preparing to work in China, practicalities and more 

14:00-15:00  Online 

In this session, we will be joined by Jacob Lotinga, who studied Modern Languages at Oxford. Jacob will offer practical tips on living and working in China, in his capacity as UK & Ireland representative for the Shanghai Ambright Education Group and for its Ambassador Year in China Programme.  

Friday 1 November

Human rights panel talk

12:00 - 13:00,  Online 

This session will welcome three panellists: Sergio Giuliano, Human Rights Officer at the Human Rights Treaty Bodies Branch of the UNOHCHR; Katarina Månsson, Senior Human Rights Officer in the Rule of Law Unit in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG); and Izzy Ellis, Lawyer at Oxford based Turpin Miller where she leads a project providing representation to foreign women in prison challenging deportation.

Our panellists will discuss what it is like to have a career in the field of human rights (including the fields of policy and law), how they started their careers, the challenges they face and the skills needed to be successful.

Navigating work in the Middle East, practicalities and more 

13:00 - 14:00,  Online 

In this session we will be joined by James Maughan, Chair of Oxford and Cambridge Alumni Society of UAE. James will share practical tips and advice on navigating careers and work in the Middle East and how to leverage the Oxford alumni network in job search. James has spent 10 years placing graduates in Dubai as Director at Dubai Business Associates, a fully-funded graduate management training programme, patroned by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. James will share practical tips and advice on navigating careers and work in the Middle East. 

Other international related events:

Throughout Michaelmas term there are exciting events related to international careers. Here is a list of other sessions that may interest you: 

Tuesday 15 October 

International Postgraduate Study: what do you need to know 

12:00 - 13:00,  Online 

In this session we will look at the practicalities of exploring international postgraduate study. We will cover the essentials; the types of grad schools across the globe, methods for exploration, funding and applications. 

Monday 21 October 

Finding employment in the UK: researching employers and industry awareness  

13:00 - 13:45,  Online 

Are you unsure on how to secure employment in the UK? In this session, aimed for all students but particularly useful for international students, we will cover the essentials. We will explore what it is like in the workplace, unpick employment terms and phrases which can be confusing, and think about the strategy behind researching employers- including where and how to look for jobs and identify the roles that suit you. We will also cover practical steps on how you can grow your understanding of a particular sector and organisation, so you can navigate the job search and application process with confidence. 

Tuesday 22 October 

Introduction to Careers in Diplomacy 

13:00 - 14:00,  Online 

Careers in Diplomacy can be varied, challenging and rewarding and there’s no such thing as a typical diplomatic career! In this careers adviser led event, we will discuss methods you can use for identifying the relevant routes into diplomatic roles, issues to consider and the different ways to find out more about your chosen career path. 

Thursday 21 November 

Staying in the UK to Work (OU Visa & Immigration Advisers)  

13:00 - 15:00,  Online 

Find out everything you need to know about working in the UK after your studies. We will be covering the new Graduate Route details (allowing 2021 graduates to stay in the UK for 2 years or 3 years if you're undertaking a PhD). Details on the new Skilled worker visa (for those hoping to stay longer term and secure permanent roles) and information on the GAE visa (offering internships via sponsorship organisations available to all UK graduates including those who finished in 2020) will also be included. 

More international resources:

In addition to the international related events that the Careers Service is running, we have a range of online resources useful to students, alumni and researchers who are considering working or studying internationally: 

International Organisations 

International Organisations have international membership, scope, or presence and can be divided into two main types, intergovernmental organisations and international non-governmental organisations. Read this briefing to found out more. 

International Development 

International development is focused on engaging with economically disadvantaged regions in the world to empower people to improve their well-being and address causes and effects of poverty. Read this briefing to found out more. 

International Travel and Work Experience Visas 

Obtaining a visa to work legally in a country is likely to be your first consideration if you have been offered an internship or work experience abroad. The Careers Service and Internship Office is not able to provide any immigration advice about visas. However, in this briefing we have provided some general top tips for researching visas, as well as some country-specific resources for a few of the most common internship destinations. 

The Summer Internship Programme 

The Summer Internship Programme provides access to hundreds of funded internship opportunities during the long (summer) vacation in the UK and around the world. 

Finding Jobs Outside the UK 

If you are hoping to work in a country other than your home country, then this is the briefing for you. It covers short and longer-term work, how to search for jobs and worldwide links to helpful resources. 

"Translating" Qualifications 

If you come to Oxford with qualifications other than the standard UK qualifications (GCSEs, A-levels, or a 1st, 2nd or 3rd class degree), then to help a potential British employer, you should try to contextualise your academic results so that they can understand your achievements. 

Postgraduate Study in Other Countries 

Embarking on postgraduate study is a big decision that requires you to invest time, energy and probably money, so it is worth considering a range of options depending on your ultimate goals. 

GoinGlobal

Free for Oxford University students and researchers, GoinGlobal is a market leader in providing location-specific career and lifestyle resources to more than 800 organisations around the world, including multinational corporations, libraries, relocation companies, academic institutions, and professional associations.  

Users can create their own profile and save job search advice, specific cultural and visa information related to their chosen countries. The platform also runs online information sessions on the practicalities of working in particular countries.  

GoinGlobal provides: 

• 120+ location-specific career guides featuring insider advice on top job search techniques and resources, with more than 500 employment resources per guide 

• 16 million+ worldwide internship and job postings searchable in the local language, as well as English, updated daily 

• Key Employer Directory with detailed company profiles and contact information for leading in- country and multinational employers with operations around the globe 

• Expert guidelines for creating culturally correct resume/CVs and cover letters, with specific examples for new graduates and experienced professionals alike 

• Tactical interview advice to help get the job and cultural advice to ensure long term success 

• Local industry trends featuring up-to-date hiring forecasts for major employment sectors 

• Executive recruiters and staffing agency information to identify both part-time and full-time employment opportunities 

• Work permit and visa regulations, including up-to-date application requirements, researched and compiled by an experienced immigration lawyer 

Login to GoinGlobal using your Oxford SSO.