Working abroad : Types of work

Casual work

Working holidays are a popular way for students and graduates to earn money while travelling and seeing the world. Much of the work available is in the hospitality and tourism sectors, e.g. in hotels and bars or as a holiday rep. Other typical jobs can be as varied as fruit picking to au pairing. The developed economies of Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and North America offer the best opportunities. Making speculative applications to potential employers, such as hotels, youth hostels, tour companies, etc., may bring good results. For casual work opportunities, see BUNAC  and Go Gap Year .

Internships, placements and exchange programmes

A variety of short-term opportunities ranging between a few weeks and 18 months are available in a number of European and international organisations. These give you a chance to gain relevant experience.
Many students have the opportunity to spend time abroad as part of their course. This could either be studying at a partner university or doing a placement year in a sector relating to your course.

• Opportunities in Europe are available through the Erasmus  European Exchange Programme.
• AIESEC (Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales)  the world’s largest international student organisation, offers international internships from 2-18 months.
• Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE)  can help students and new graduates find internships in the USA.
• IAESTE (The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience)  is administered in the UK by the British Council and provides science, engineering and architecture undergraduates with paid work experience abroad relevant to their studies.
• Leonardo da Vinci Programme  offers funded work placements in Europe, which are available through the European Union’s vocational training programme. All applications must be made by an organisation, so you cannot apply as an individual. However, some universities are members of this scheme, so ask at your careers service to see if this might be an option.
• Paid work in a sandwich year placement in a sector related to your degree is usually found with the help of your university, which holds employer presentations on jobs you can then apply for. Alternatively, you could find a placement yourself through speculative applications.

If your course does not include a year out, you may still be able to negotiate an individual placement year. Give your tutors a list of what you consider to be the advantages of a year abroad and how it would deepen your understanding of your subject. You will probably need to find the placement yourself but ask if your tutors have contacts in other countries that you can use. Be prepared to be proactive and persistent.

For additional information, see vacancies abroad.

Voluntary work

There are many organisations offering short-term volunteer opportunities aimed at students and graduates. These projects are often based in the developing world, working with local communities tackling issues around health, social care, education and conservation.

• Projects generally last from a couple of weeks to several months and are very diverse, ranging from working in an orphanage to assisting with reforestation programmes.
• The work is generally unpaid and many organisations ask you to finance your volunteering trip through sponsorship or other types of fundraising.
• For short-term volunteering opportunities you are not usually expected to have relevant experience, but a strong interest in helping others and a willingness to get involved and learn new skills are important.

For all volunteering opportunities, you should check the requirements, aims and philosophies of any agency to which you apply. Have a realistic idea of the contribution you can make and what is expected of you. Most agencies can put you in touch with a returned volunteer who can give you first-hand information.

Examples of organisations offering short-term opportunities are:

• BUNAC  
• International Voluntary Service (IVS) in Britain  
• International Service  
• Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)  

Teaching

Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) is a very popular way for new graduates without specialist experience and skills to obtain work overseas. Teachers are employed in commercial language schools, state schools, education and development organisations and large companies. There are also more structured teaching programmes specific to individual countries, such as Teach in China  and the Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme .

No particular degree discipline is required for teaching English overseas. However, advertised positions increasingly ask for a TEFL qualification. It is still possible to find positions that do not require a TEFL certificate, but the pay may be lower. Certain countries will not grant a visa to anyone without a TEFL qualification. Information on completing internationally recognised TEFL courses is available at i-to-i TEFL Courses. Further detailed information about entry and training routes, and where to find opportunities, is available at English as a foreign language teacher.

As well as opportunities to teach English as a foreign language, there are international schools operating all over the world in need of qualified teachers. Experienced teachers are recruited to teach the normal range of subjects at primary and secondary level. Defence cutbacks in Britain have reduced the teaching posts available in HM Forces schools.

Academic research and lecturing

Every year, large numbers of British citizens take up places at universities around the world to undertake postdoctoral research. The academic market is international in scope, and some British academics are successful in obtaining permanent posts in other countries.

The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)  publishes a regular bulletin of jobs in Commonwealth universities. European Researchers Mobility Portal (Euraxess)  is a one-stop shop for researchers moving between EU countries and includes details of research vacancies, fellowships, grants and other practical information.

Research posts and lectureships are frequently advertised by individual institutions but details can also be found in relevant journals and through national recruitment services on the internet. Personal contact through collaboration and shared academic interests is also a key route to securing academic positions overseas.

Getting posts overseas can be competitive, and you must have a good academic record at undergraduate, postgraduate and postdoctoral level.

Consultancy

There has been a steady growth in the volume of consulting business undertaken by British companies overseas in the last few years. This is particularly the case in the construction and utilities industries in areas such as China, India and the Middle East. Consultancy work, especially for experienced professionals, can be found with both large international companies and smaller niche businesses.

Creative industry

The creative arts industry offers good opportunities for work abroad, from touring musicians to artists promoting and selling their work. The UK has a leading reputation in the creative industries abroad, and there are various government initiatives supporting exports from the sector. Arts Council England  discusses international opportunities on their website. The European Commission Culture Programme  aims to promote cross-border mobility of those working in the sector. It is dedicated to bringing greater cultural cooperation between European countries and provides funding for various projects that help meet this objective.

Property

The overseas property market is becoming increasingly international and although there has been a surge in UK nationals buying a second home abroad, this tends to be dependent on international economic conditions. Opportunities exist for graduates to work in sales, marketing and administration although in order to get a position abroad, some experience of working in property in the UK is usually required.
Jobs are advertised through specialist recruitment agencies, such as Overseas Property Jobs.

For more detailed information on the possibilities of working abroad in certain sectors, see industry insights.

For information on taking a gap year see gap year.