Although working abroad after you graduate might sound very appealing, please be aware that it can be very difficult to find paid, full-time jobs abroad. Many countries have immigration policies in place that state a foreign worker must be so specialized in their field that no one locally can do that job. Because of this, it can be challenging to obtain a work authorization visa to another country.
With this in mind, here are our top recommendations for students interested in working abroad after graduation:
Teaching English Abroad
The most common way that graduating students get paid jobs abroad is by teaching English. Many students use these programs as an opportunity to legally work in a country and then pursue their passions/careers of interest once abroad. For more information, look through the Teaching English Abroad page on our website.
Each year, our office offers a session on teaching English abroad. You can find the most recent presentation slides on the Teaching English Abroad After Graduation event page.
International Job Posting Websites
GoinGlobal is a website that contains international job postings. The U-M Library has a paid account, and you can click on the link above, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click on the first "available online" link to access the job portal.
Another job posting resource to utilize is Interstride. Interstride is tailored to U-M students and alumni.
Keep in mind that many of the postings on GoinGlobal and Interstride will require that you are already authorized to work in the country where the job is located.
Work Permit Visa Programs
Some countries offer work permit visa programs that allow Americans (and other countries’ citizens) to work in that country for up to 12 months. Many of those who pursue these opportunities work in the hospitality or restaurant industries, but some, if not all, of these work permit visa programs are open to any career field.
For more information, please look through the Work Permit Visa Programs page of our website.
Transfer to Current Company’s Satellite Office Abroad
Some students will get a job at a U.S.-based company that has satellite offices abroad. It's most common to work in the U.S. for a little and then transfer abroad after you get some work experience. This way, you obtain work authorization through your current employer.
Additional U-M Resources
The International Center might not have expertise in employment opportunities abroad in your area of interest, so you can try speaking with the specific academic department at U-M to see if they have any recommendations and/or connections for you.
You can also speak with one of the area studies centers of the International Institute if you have a specific location/region in mind. These centers work with both American faculty who study those specific regions and visiting faculty from those specific regions, so they are great resources to tap into.
The Alumni Association has a page where you can contact U-M alumni living all over the world. These alumni have allowed themselves to be contacted by current U-M students or alumni who are interested in working or living in their country. To see the countries represented, click on the “International” tab.
If you have questions about any of these resources, please schedule an advising appointment with the International Center or email [email protected].