International Placements at Aston University:Sourcing international opportunities

Carolina Salinas – International Placement Manager

Today

Internationalisation at Aston

Facts and figures

Sourcing channels: external, internal and 3rd parties

Aston University: Employable Graduates, Exploitable Research

Founded in 1895, Aston is a long-established research-led University known for itsstrong links to industry, government and commerce

“Aston turns out some of the most sought-after graduates in Britain, with 89% landing graduate-level jobs.” Sunday Times University Guide 2013

30% of outgoing placement students in 2013/14 are spending the third year working or studying overseas, across the 4 Schools: Engineering, Business, Health Sciences and Languages & Social Sciences

Students Placed Overseas

30% of all placed students are on placement overseas

2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/140

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Students on International Placements

Study

Work

65% English speaking

Top locations:ChinaUSAKoreaAustraliaChileSpain FranceGermanyNetherlands

International Placements

Student’s Choice!

Study PlacementWork Placement

Volunteering

Teaching Degree Subjects & English

Abroad

Combination

Locations & Placement Types

SWITZERLANDAudit Intern

Marketing and Communication Intern

USAMarketing Assistant

Business Analyst Intern

Chemical Engineer Intern

HUNGARYLegal Recruitment AssistantCHILE

Event and Communication

Tax and Assurance

SPAINChemical Engineer

Business Development Trainee

Purchasing & Stock Control Agent

Conversation Assistant

FRANCELanguage Assistant

Communication Assistant

Finance Assistant

Marketing Assistant

BelgiumProject Assistant

Resource Analyst Placement

AUSTRALIAPsychology Research Assistant

CHINAEducation Advisor

GERMANYHuman Resources Intern

Translation Management Intern

HR Professional Education Intern

CYPRUSAccountancy Intern

JAPANEnglish Teaching Assistant

NETHERLANDSI.T. Intern

HR Intern

Finance Intern

SINGAPOREFinancial Service Intern

KENYABiology Teaching Assistant

CANADAIT Project Assistant

BRAZILBiomedical AssistantSAUDI ARABIA

IT Project Assistant

Electrical Engineer

Meet the International Placements Team

A dedicated International Placements Team offering support and guidance throughout the placement search and whilst on placement. Includes a dedicated Business Development Manager to source international opportunities to advertise to students.

Sourcing International Placements - Channels

External Channels:Repeat businessUK Business contacts – branches abroadOnline Job BoardsERASMUS network

Internal Channels:Alumni contactsAcademic contactsOpportunities found by students on previous years

Agents or 3rd parties – occasionally: USA (VISAS)China - Placement AgenciesChamber Commerce offices

Internal

Channels: Repeat Business

Repeat business

60% of employers they advertise in Aston Mature relationshipsDoing international placements for 30 years Keep working on those relationshipsAccount management approachPhone contact and visits when possible

Channels: UK Business Contacts

UK Business Contacts

Branches and contacts abroadMeet employers on campusMeet key Account Managers around University i.e.

joined international research projectsParticularly relevant when travelling abroad i.e. to

conferences, students visits, etc

Channels: Online Job Boards

Online Job Boards

Search them regularlyRegister to receive alertsRecommend them to students It helps to speak languages for some of them

Channels: ERASMUS Network

ERASMUS network

Follow up email alertsExchange University Partners

Internal Channels: Alumni & Academic contacts, placements found by students

Alumni contactsVery importantHave access to country listsMake the Alumni Office your best friends!Try to visit some contacts when you travel abroad

Academic contactsNetwork internallyAsk at meetingsInternational research initiatives

Placements found by studentsContact employer directlyContact employer by student

3rd Party Channels

Agents or 3rd parties – occasionally

USA (J1 VISAS)China Placement agenciesChamber Commerce offices

Alert – reputation, fees charged to students! Small print and disclaimers

Final thoughts

Team structure and dedicated resource – languagesDon’t be afraid to share employer contacts if you are not centralised placements team!Network with academics and other colleagues, always ask the question • One World Week & World Awareness Week• Student Societies • Language Departments• International Office

Persevere, Business Development is a long-term gameSocial and professional media is powerfulSME’s are equally good placement providers

Questions

GRACIAS THANK YOU

Danke TackMerci Obrigado Grazie

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