Advice for Applicants: Preparing Your Application from an International Education Perspective

If you’re interested in applying for this incredible opportunity at Smith College, you’ll want to align your application with the expectations of international education. This role focuses on enhancing global learning opportunities for students and requires a combination of advising experience, relationship-building with international partners, and an understanding of the operational and cultural aspects of studying abroad. Below are some tips for applying:

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1. Highlight Your Commitment to Global Learning

• Reinforce Your International Expertise: Be sure to elaborate on your passion for international education and your experience working with diverse global programs. For example, if you’ve managed similar study abroad programs or have a background in higher education, explain how your past responsibilities demonstrate your ability to design, promote, and evaluate international study opportunities.
• Showcase Your DEI Initiatives: Since the job emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, discuss specific examples of how you have incorporated these principles into your advising, programming, or communication strategies. If you’ve supported first-time travelers, underrepresented students, or non-traditional participants in navigating international programs, make it known.

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2. Tailor Your Skills to Core Responsibilities

This role requires multitasking and managing many moving parts of study abroad programs. As you craft your CV and cover letter:

• Focus on Collaboration: Highlight any experience working directly with faculty and institutional stakeholders to design or enhance study abroad programs. For instance, share examples of how you have worked across departments to align international program offerings with academic pathways or curricula.
• Demonstrate Your Tech Savviness: The job emphasizes technology skills, so emphasize your ability to use platforms such as Terra Dotta, enrollment tracking systems, or any other software tied to managing international student programming.
• Show Mastery of Data Management: Provide examples of enrollment reporting, program assessments, and evaluation processes you’ve implemented to boost program success or student participation.

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3. Describe How You Have Impacted Students’ International Experiences

Students are the heart of this role, so the hiring team will be looking for someone committed to student development and support. In your application:

• Highlight Your Advising Approach: Explain how you’ve guided students through the entire study-abroad process-from pre-departure orientation to supporting them through reentry post-program-including helping them navigate course approvals, credit transfers, or visa processes. Discuss how you’ve addressed the unique concerns of students with differing levels of international experience.
• Provide Concrete Examples of Success: Whether it’s improving placement rates for study-abroad students, designing innovative workshops, or increasing student engagement at info sessions, quantify your impact where possible.

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4. Draw Upon International Relationships and Experiences

This job will involve frequent collaboration with global institutions, so emphasize your ability to work within multicultural contexts:

• Showcase Relationship-Building: Cite examples of partnerships you’ve developed or maintained with global universities, consortia, or other external stakeholders.
• If Relevant, Highlight Site Visits: Mention if you’ve conducted site evaluations or attended international conferences-any experience that reflects your thorough, hands-on commitment to maintaining high-quality global programs.

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5. Emphasize Your Adaptability and Emergency Response Skills

International education always comes with unforeseen challenges, whether it’s a visa complication, a health crisis abroad, or a sudden change in programming. Highlight examples of your adaptability:

• Have you developed crisis procedures for students studying abroad?
• Have you coordinated emergency support in collaboration with overseas partners?
• Can you navigate working across time zones or handling after-hours issues?

Showing how you’ve acted quickly and professionally in such situations can set you apart.

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6. Explore Smith College’s Unique Environment

It’s important to align your application with the mission and culture of the college:

• Research Smith College’s Global Programs: Investigate the school’s current international education initiatives, including its unique Smith Global Programs or the partnerships it already maintains. Tailor your application to demonstrate how you can build on these offerings.
• Show an Understanding of Institutional Needs: If you can connect your experience to Smith’s goals-such as advancing inclusion in education, supporting women’s leadership, and creating transformative global experiences-you’ll be more competitive.

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7. Consider Your Educational Experience and Professional Development

The job requires at least a Bachelor’s degree and professional development in areas like study abroad advising:

• Discuss Relevant Training: Have you attended workshops from NAFSA, The Forum on Education Abroad, or other organizations? Include any training or certifications, such as International Education Program Management, that directly relate.
• Focus on Professional Growth: If you don’t have 4-5 years of experience but are actively pursuing professional development in international education, mention this clearly to show your ambition and adaptability.

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8. Showcase Strong Communication Skills

Whether you’re reaching out to students, faculty, or international partners, communication is key:

• Frame Your Expertise: Provide examples of how you craft effective presentations or promotional strategies for study abroad sessions.
• Include Your Commitment to Marketing: If you’ve created social media content, revamped websites, or redesigned promotional brochures for study abroad programs, describe these efforts in connection to student engagement.

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9. Don’t Forget About the Essential Logistics

Before applying, make sure to include all the logistical aspects of your candidacy:

• Customize your cover letter to reflect the specific requirements and language of the job posting. Avoid generic applications.
• Double-check the closing date: June 22, 2025. Time is on your side, but it’s always better to apply early.
• Salary expectations are listed as $53K-$71K, so it’s advisable to tailor your negotiation expectations accordingly if asked about salary history or requirements.

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Final Words

Don’t just present yourself as someone who can fulfill the role’s tasks-frame yourself as someone who truly understands and is passionate about creating transformative international experiences for students. By showcasing your ability to combine global knowledge, cultural competence, and operational effectiveness, you’ll stand out as a top candidate for this exciting opportunity at Smith College