Careers in International Education
Graduates of our International Education Management (IEM) master’s degree program find rewarding careers in education abroad, international student and scholar services, language programs, citizen diplomacy programs, and government agencies.
Alumni Career Profiles
Why Middlebury Institute: Shaping the international career you always wanted
When Natalie Spencer discovered the growing professional field of international education, she looked to the Middlebury Institute to give her the specific skill set those employers valued.
My name is Natalie Spencer. I graduated from the International Education Management program. And I’m currently the program officer for recruitment and selection on the Critical Language Scholarship Program here at American Councils for International Education.
The Critical Language Scholarship Program is a study abroad program for U.S. students funded by the U.S. Department of State.
We send about 550 students abroad each summer to learn languages that are critical to national security, to U.S. economic prosperity and are really helping to build national competitiveness for American students to go out and be competitive in a more globalized workforce.
“So there’s talking points in this presentation from last year I realized.”
I think, like many students who studied abroad during undergraduate and also had other experiences overseas, I was really interested in trying to find a way to make a career out of that. So I started looking into what skills that might take and I realized that it really is a professionalized field that did need a special skillset and that the Middlebury Institute was a way for me to get that.
The International Education Management program and I think a lot of the programs at the Middlebury Institute are really focused on connecting theory to practice. It was really about getting to know the field, understanding the work and coming out with those solid skills that employers would see as valuable. And two days before I graduated, I applied for a job and was hired.
“It’s not just about diversity numbers. It’s not just about statistics for the organization. It is about providing access and being inclusive.”
The field of international education was pretty unknown to me when I decided to go to the Middlebury Institute.
All I knew is that I saw a job posting for a study abroad advisor. I read it, and it was the first time that I really connected with the job description.
We live in a globalized world, and I think the power of international education goes beyond students, goes beyond administrators. It really does have that capacity to change the world. Now I’m in this field and doing what I never knew I always wanted to do.
Maren Haas
Current Employment: Director of Operations at St. Catherine University (St Paul, Minnesota)
First Job After Graduation: International Programs Advisor, International Programs in Engineering at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
Practicum: On-Site Coordinator, BRIC Program, Babson College (Wellesley, Massachusetts and international)
Experiential Learning: Onsite Perspectives: Education Abroad Management in Spain
Institute Advantage: The course work at the Institute, especially partner-based projects and independent study, prepared me for professional work in international education management.
Julia Kelley
First Job After Graduation: Program Officer, Middlebury C.V. Starr School in France (Paris, France)
Practicum: Intern, Middlebury C.V. Starr School in France (Paris, France)
Experiential Learning: Transitional Justice in Chile with Dr. Jan Black
Institute Advantage: The Institute’s connection with the Middlebury Schools Abroad opened up my possibilities for a practicum, and then eventually led to my current job.
Angélique Stevens
Current Employment: International Student and Scholar Advisor, Florida State University (Tallahassee, Florida)
First Job After Graduation: Office Manager, Office of International Student Services, Pepperdine University (Malibu, California)
Practicum: Academic Support Intern, Education First (Monterey, California)
Institute Advantage: My IEM classes continue to help me professionally—I learned so much about best practices in the field of international education management.
Yuki Ueda
First Job After Graduation: Program Director, Language and Cultural Programs, VIA Programs (Remote)
Practicum: Program Design Intern, Strategic Partnerships, Middlebury Institute of International Studies (Monterey, California)
Institute Advantage: Faculty and advisors at the Institute who knew my interests helped me amplify the range of my job search.
Story: How I Got Hired
Daniel Watson
Current Employment: University Relations Manager, IESP Study Abroad (Salt Lake City, Utah)
First Job After Graduation: Marketing and Technology Coordinator, University of Utah Learning Abroad Program (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Practicum: Education Abroad Advisor, Portland Community College (Portland, Oregon)
Institute Advantage: My practicum work played a huge role in preparing me for my career; I created a strategic marketing plan and worked daily in the student enrollment system. The work I did in my practicum is work I do in my current position.
Story: How I Got Hired
Sayre Weir
Current Employment: Assistant Director of International Student Life, University of Georgia (Athens, Georgia)
First Job After Graduation: Programming Coordinator for International Student Life, University of Georgia (Athens, Georgia)
Institute Advantage: Dr. Katherine Punteney’s course on International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) was incredibly helpful as it prepared me with the content and context for this role.
Story: How I Got Hired
Check out more profiles on our education and culture career insights blog.
Careers Beyond Study Abroad
Our alumni work in a wide range of fields including but not limited to education abroad. Check out our webinar on careers in international education beyond study abroad.
One Year After Graduation
Many of our alumni are in rewarding careers around the world; scroll down to see where they are and what they are doing within one year of graduation.
Mouse over charts to see details.
Location (Employed or Continuing Education)
China; Denmark; Dominican Republic; France; Japan; Peru; Senegal; Spain; Thailand; United Arab Emirates; United States
Industry
While the majority of IEM graduates go into education, our recent alumni also work in the following industries:
- Agriculture/Food
- Consulting
- Development
- Policy
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Internships
Partnerships
The Middlebury Institute has partnerships with the following employers for unique internship opportunities:
Employer Testimonial
“The Institute has a stellar reputation in our field, and [the student’s] skills and value to our team confirm this reputation!”
—Internship Supervisor
Summer 2019–2021
Secured opportunity: 89% (several opportunities canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic)
Locations: Costa Rica, France, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, Taiwan, United States
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There are 60+ employers of recent IEM interns, a few are highlighted below:
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