Information Management Professionals

Below are resources for researching international opportunities for U.S. graduate students, doctoral students, and other information professionals. Publications listed below are available for your use in the Education Abroad Office at the U-M International Center.

Study Abroad Internships

Listed below are some resources to help you get started in identifying opportunities abroad.

Funding for Travel/Study/Research Abroad

Below is a list of funding information and scholarship opportunities.

General Guides: Books

  • Financial Aid for Research and Creative Activities Abroad and Financial Aid for Study and Training Abroad
    Authors: Gail Ann Schlachter and R. David Weber. Lists scholarships, fellowships, loans, grants, awards and internships for students, scholars, and professionals pursuing international opportunities. Available at the U-M International Center.

Scholarship and Fellowship Programs

  • The Bogle Pratt International Library Travel Award
    Enables members of the American Library Association (ALA) to travel to an international conference for the first time. Applicants must be members of the ALA who show evidence of involvement in career-related international activities or scholarship. Application deadline: 1 January.
  • CAORC Fellowships
    Allows graduate students, post-doctorates, and professionals the opportunity to conduct research contributing to Near Eastern studies at the American Center for Oriental Research (ACOR) in Amman, Jordan. Fields of study include arts and humanities, and natural and social sciences. Fellows receive a salary for 2 to 6 months of study. Program is available subject to funding. Application deadline: 1 February.
  • Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES) Fellowships
    Offers financial aid awards for those wishing to do research in foreign countries. The offers and countries change from year to year.
  • The Harold White Visiting Librarians Fellowship
    Enables librarians, archivists, or conservators to conduct research at the National Library of Australia. Candidates must be interested in describing, listing, cataloging, or carrying out conservation work on particular collections or studying the methods and techniques used by the library in acquiring, cataloging, arranging, or conserving collections. One fellowship is awarded each year and lasts from 3 to 6 months. The application deadline is April of each year. Application and further information available online.
  • The Harold White Honorary Fellowship
    Through the National Library of Australia. Candidates must be receiving funding from other sources and need limited assistance from the library. The fellowship provides round-trip transportation for the recipient and fellows are given an office, free photocopying, and library privileges. One fellowship awarded each year. Application deadline is in April for the following academic year.
  • Harold Lancour Scholarship for Foreign Study
    Scholarship administered by Beta Phi Mu, the International Library and Information Science Honor Society. One award for a librarian or library student interested in surveying foreign libraries or library programs, attending a foreign library school program for a short period of times, or conducting library research in a foreign country. No formal application is required. Interested individuals should send a current curriculum vitae and description of planned foreign study, plans for using the information gained, and previous international experience.
  • Institute of International Education (IIE) Fulbright Awards
    The IIE administers Fulbright Awards for graduate study and research abroad. Deadline is in fall of each year. Application and program information is available online. The International Institute administers the Fulbright competition for University of Michigan students; more information is available from U-M International Institute.
  • Rotary Grants
    A variety of scholarships are available for undergraduates, graduates, and professionals. The grants are divided into district, global, and packaged awards. The application deadlines, processes, and grant amounts vary. Applicants should apply to their local Rotary Club. For more information, see the Rotary International website or contact the club in your area.
  • Social Science Research Council Summer Fellowships
    Fellowships available for doctoral students and faculty to participate in a summer institute and research individually while in residence at the host institution. Individual opportunities vary from year to year.

Exchange Programs

Most exchanges are handled by direct negotiation between interested parties. A few libraries have established exchange programs for their own staff.

Volunteer Agencies Recruiting Information Professionals

  • The Peace Corps
    Recruits U.S. Citizens for 2 year periods to serve as volunteers in developing countries. The program is funded by the U.S. government, and volunteers receive training, health insurance, all expenses paid, and a resettlement allowance after completion of service. Members of the University of Michigan community or others in the southeast Michigan region can contact the Peace Corps office in the U-M International Center.
  • Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)
    A UK-based organization which provides volunteer placements worldwide for a variety of professionals. Most positions require 2 years experience. Americans should apply through the Canadian office.

 

Employment Opportunities

Employment for U.S. citizens is primarily available in U.S. government libraries, U.S. firms doing worldwide business, and American schools abroad. Be aware that many organizations require proficiency in the local language.

International internships and employment opportunities require a work permit visa in order to work in that country. See Paid Short Term Work Permit Programs for programs that assist with work permit visas.

The following is a list of resources that may be useful in your job search.

Careers with the U.S. Government

  • U.S. Department of State
    The biggest employer of Americans abroad. Diplomatic-track careers as Foreign Service Officers, in addition to Foreign Service Specialists and Civil Service careers
  • USAJOBS
    Federal agency vacancies, including worldwide positions, are listed here in the Office of Personnel Management's online job posting system.

Professional Recruitment Services

Job Search Websites for Information Professionals

School Media Specialists

  • University of Northern Iowa Teacher placement services
    Includes positions for School Media professionals, and international positions.
  • The Association of American Schools in South America
    AASSA is a non-profit membership association currently serving forty-one American / International schools throughout South America and offshore islands.
  • Department of Defense (DOD), Dependent Schools
    Responsible for the education of dependent children of active duty U.S. military personnel and Department of Defense civilians who are stationed overseas. Jobs are primarily in the Pacific and Caribbean regions and require at least one full year of experience.
  • European Council of International Schools
    An international school membership organization that provides services to support professional development, curriculum and instruction, leadership and good governance in international schools located in Europe and around the world.
  • International Association of School Librarianship
    Informal contacts may be established through this organization.
  • International Schools Service (ISS)
    A private not-for-profit organization which recruits for American schools overseas (not including Department of Defense schools) in every country except Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. These are American elementary and secondary schools enrolling children of business and diplomatic families living abroad. An MLS degree and one to two years of experience working with children K-12 are required.

General International Job Sites

  • Career Builder's International Gateway
    Contains job lead banks for Asia, Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, and the UK. Helpful for identifying employment resources for specific regions of the world.
  • Monster.com International
    As an extension of Monsterboard.com, this site provides job postings for Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, Central America, Europe, Mexico, Middle East, and South America.
  • Overseas Jobs
    International jobs database of positions available in companies around the world. Also provides job search resources.

 

Additional Resources