Pretty neat stuff. I never worked in a field that lent itself to overseas work but I can see how it could help your career if you land in the right place.
Curmudgeon
· 1 month ago
I wish I had done it earlier in my career, Steve. As I mentioned offline, Prague was great. And don't give up on it once you have gained the experience that you have. Despite your family responsibilities, there is the need to continue that experience throughout your career.
craig
· 1 month ago
I studied abroad and got a lot of the same benefits out of it as you did. I did not learn a new language which sucks but definitely felt more independent and got a better grasp on the world and other cultures.
ctreit
· 1 month ago
Nice picture from inside the Kremlin! - Maybe you are more of a risk-taker than you think you are. Or else, you taking risk may be more a matter of taking "calculated risk" rather than being reckless.
kenyantykoon
· 1 month ago
i have always wanted to work all over the world but for some reason i have never got the opportunity. i have only gone to the neighboring country and i have such a desire to work all over the world(in this i am thinking in the line of expansion of my fledgling business ventures). I am still young and i might just get what i want
Funny about Money
· 1 month ago
What an interesting story! Very enjoyable read, and good message to impart.
One thing you might add is that parents with young children should not be afraid to take their kids along on adventures like these. I was two years old when my father, a merchant mariner, took a harbor pilot's job in Saudi Arabia, & a few days shy of three when my mother and I were allowed to join him. We were there for ten years.
Though Rub al'khali is not a place I personally would choose to bring up a child, growing up overseas was an enriching experience. I saw a lot of the world before I got to high school, with the result that my perspective on many things is different from most Americans'. And yes, I did get a job offer based on that experience, even though it happened while I was a child.
Steve
· 1 month ago
@Funny about Money: you make a good point - it doesn't even matter exactly when you have an overseas experience. The implication that a lot of employers take away from ANY overseas experience is that you'll have (for lack of a better phrase) an open mind. That's something that's hard to teach.
Shawanda
· 1 month ago
I am truly moved, and jealous, of your courage to work overseas. I began my accounting career at PricewaterhouseCoopers. One of the primary benefits of working for such a large international firm is the opportunity to further your professional experience outside of the United States.
Many of the partners and senior managers I encountered worked outside of their home country at some point. With that being the case, I couldn't help but think there was something to international experience. I didn't stay with the firm long enough to qualify for an overseas stint. That's fine. There's still time. Besides, I probably would've just ended up working in London for two years.
Steve
· 1 month ago
Thanks, Shawanda. You're right that working at a Big 4 firm gives you a LOT of opportunities to work overseas. I don't know if there's anything wrong with working in London, by the way - it's one of my favorite cities in the world, despite being English-speaking and "not very exotic." It's second only to NYC in my mind for a dizzying amount of cultural attractions and a population drawn from every corner of the globe.
Credit Card Chaser
· 1 month ago
I taught English in China during my undergraduate college years and I am very happy that I did so.
morren
· 3 weeks ago
Really a nice and good post.I agree with your posting,overseas working will be help a lot in career building.....
All Comments
One thing you might add is that parents with young children should not be afraid to take their kids along on adventures like these. I was two years old when my father, a merchant mariner, took a harbor pilot's job in Saudi Arabia, & a few days shy of three when my mother and I were allowed to join him. We were there for ten years.
Though Rub al'khali is not a place I personally would choose to bring up a child, growing up overseas was an enriching experience. I saw a lot of the world before I got to high school, with the result that my perspective on many things is different from most Americans'. And yes, I did get a job offer based on that experience, even though it happened while I was a child.
Many of the partners and senior managers I encountered worked outside of their home country at some point. With that being the case, I couldn't help but think there was something to international experience. I didn't stay with the firm long enough to qualify for an overseas stint. That's fine. There's still time. Besides, I probably would've just ended up working in London for two years.