Sample Agenda

AGENDA Raleigh, North Carolina Thursday, February 21st – Friday, February 22nd, 2019 8:00am - 9:00am

9:00am – 9:30am

9:30am – 10:30am

REGISTRATION Registration, [Outside Sessions Room] Alumni receive welcome packets and seminar materials.

WELCOME REMARKS & OPENING PLENARY Welcome Remarks with Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Marie Royce, [Sessions Room] Keynote introduction to the seminar.

Career Exploration: Your Transferable Skills & How to Apply Them, [Sessions Room] Bring the results of the HIGH5 assessment you took pre-seminar to reflect on your exchange experience, identify the transferable skills you gained, and define how to successfully apply your natural strengths and talents within professional and academic contexts to increase your productivity. ● ●

Minnu Paul, Assistant Director, International Programs, Methodist University Jennifer Ramos, Director of Study Abroad & International Admissions Specialist, Methodist University

10:45am – 1:15pm

FIELD TRIP & GROUP PHOTO Field Trip: Panel Discussion with NC Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and Coalition Members, [North Carolina State University]

1:15pm - 2:00pm

Lunch

LUNCH

2:15pm - 3:00pm

BREAKOUT SESSIONS: INTERNATIONAL CAREERS Interested in an international career? Join professionals in the fields of development, technology, health, international education, national security, and foreign policy to hear their advice and tips about breaking into these fields.

Digital Development & Public Health, [Sessions Room] ●

Wayan Vota, Digital Health Director, IntraHealth International

Exchange Programs & International Education, [Caucus I Room]

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Minnu Paul, Assistant Director, International Programs, Methodist University Jennifer Ramos, Director of Study Abroad & International Admissions Specialist, Methodist University

Careers in Foreign Policy & National Security, [Caucus II Room] ●

3:00pm – 4:00pm

PLENARY SESSIONS Stand Out: Building an Effective Cover Letter & Resume, [Sessions Room] Stand out by applying effective cover letter and resume-writing tips that will highlight your professional qualifications in a focused and succinct way. This session will also feature a review on federal resume-writing. ● ●

4:00pm – 5:45pm

Kelly Zug, Career Services and Graduate Admissions Officer, The Institute of World Politics

Pam Ex, Principal, Ex & Associates International Katie McKenzie, Career Counselor & Administrator of Educational Programs, American College of Surgeons

COVER LETTER & RESUME LAB / PROFESSIONAL HEADSHOT BOOTH Cover Letter & Resume Lab, [All Meeting Rooms] Polish your cover letter and résumé with expert reviewers through 20 minute rotations of oneon-one consultations.

Professional Headshot Booth, [Sessions Room] Need a professional photo for your LinkedIn Profile? Stop by to have your photo taken. Receive your photo after the seminar.

5:45pm – 7:00pm

NETWORKING MIXER Networking Mixer with Local Alumni, [Harvest Grille] Get to know your fellow exchange alumni over hors d'oeuvres at the evening networking mixer.

AGENDA Friday, February 22nd, 2019 9:00am – 10:00am

PLENARY SESSION: RESOURCES FOR U.S. EXCHANGE ALUMNI Following Their Path: Exchange Alumni Panel & Dialogue, [Sessions Room] Exchange Alumni will discuss their career paths and offer first-hand advice on how you can maximize your exchange experience to pursue similar professional endeavors. ● ● ●

10:00am - 11:00am

Proposal Writing 101, [Sessions Room] Review project design tools for researching a cause you care about and the building blocks for developing a proposal in response to Small Grants Call for Applications. ● ●

BLOCK 1 11:00am – 11:45am BLOCK 2 12:00pm - 12:45pm

Amy Christianson, Alumni Outreach Manager, Office of Alumni Affairs at Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs (Moderator) Thomas DeGeorges, Development Director, Kenan Institute of Ethics at Duke University Katie McKenzie, Career Counselor & Administrator of Educational Programs, American College of Surgeons

Randi Knox, Program Officer, Education & Exchanges, Partners of the Americas Summar Lyons, Senior Program Officer, Education & Global Citizenship, Partners of the Americas

BREAKOUT SESSIONS: ROAD MAPPING YOUR CAREER Select two of the following and rotate through (30 minutes each): U.S. Exchange Alumni Professional Development Resources [Sessions Room] As a member of the Exchange Alumni community, you have a wealth of resources available to build on your exchange experiences, network with fellow alumni, including grants and funding opportunities. The Office of Alumni Affairs at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will provide an overview of these resources, a tour of the International Exchange Alumni site and portal, and other membership benefits. This session will also provide a brief overview of how to use non-competitive eligibility status to establish a federal careers. ●

Alexandra del Solar, U.S. Regional Alumni Coordinator, Office of Alumni Affairs at Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs

Value of a Graduate Degree, [Caucus I Room] Considering pursuing a Master’s degree or PhD? If so, what is their value in the job market? This session helps you answer these questions including an overview of what you should know before applying to graduate school, tips on finding the program the suits you, and more. ●

Kelly Zug, Career Services and Graduate Admissions Officer, The Institute of World Politics

Beyond Translation: Leveraging Overseas Skills in Your Career Search, [Caucus II Room] Planning on living and working abroad again? Tips & resources for leveraging your overseas language skills in your career development and more.

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Thomas DeGeorges, Development Director, Kenan Institute of Ethics at Duke University

LUNCH 12:45pm - 1:45pm

1:45pm – 2:30pm

Lunch, [Room]

PLENARY SESSION: NETWORKING Maximizing Your Job Search through Online & In-person Networks, [Sessions Room] They say that “knowing someone who knows someone” helps in your job search. Learn how to maximize your in-person and online networks through LinkedIn and other social media resources. ●

Pam Ex, Principal, Ex & Associates International

BREAKOUT SESSIONS: COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES TO SHARE YOUR EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE BLOCK 1 Select two of the following and rotate through (30 minutes each): 2:30pm – 3:15pm Do’s & Don’ts of Job Interviewing, [Sessions Room] BLOCK 2 Prepare for and perform well at your job interview. We’ll cover everything from what not to wear 3:15pm - 4:00pm to how to effectively tell your story. ●

Pam Ex, Principal, Ex & Associates International

The Art of the Informational Interview, [Caucus I Room]: Learn how to arrange an informational interview with professionals in your career field of interest who can provide their insight into what it’s like working for a particular organization or company. ●

Katie McKenzie, Career Counselor & Administrator of Educational Programs, American College of Surgeons

Your Personal Elevator Pitch, [Caucus II Room]: If you had 30-seconds to make a noticeable connection with a leader of the organization or company you’d love to work for, what would you say? Polish and practice your elevator pitch in this speed dating style session. ●

4:00pm – 5:00pm

PLENARY SESSION: CIVIL AND FOREIGN SERVICE CAREERS Careers with the U.S. Department of State & Foreign Service, [Sessions Room] Alumni will learn from Diplomats in Residence about career opportunities at the Department of State, including foreign vs. civil service, internship, and fellowship opportunities, and specialist opportunities. ●

5:00pm – 5:15pm

Summar Lyons, Senior Program Officer, Education & Global Citizenship, Partners of the Americas

Kathryn Crockart, Diplomat in Residence for the Mid-Atlantic Region (to be confirmed)

CLOSING REMARKS Closing Remarks with Distinguished Alumni, [Sessions Room] ●

Amy Christianson, Alumni Outreach Manager, Office of Alumni Affairs at Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs