Finding a job in times of COVID
Finding a job can be quite a challenge, especially when there is a global pandemic that seriously impacts the job market. Needless to say, this makes the process a bit more complicated. Therefore, the BAIS Alumni Association organized a panel discussion about finding a job during the COVID-19 pandemic. The six BA International Studies alumni that served as panelists provided the attendees with plenty of advice.
'Don’t be afraid to try different things'
The alumni shared their experiences with online interviews, difficulties during the job-hunting process, and the relevance of the skills they developed during the Bachelor International Studies.
Ida, Communications Officer at the International Crisis Group, advised students and recent graduates to take advantage of online courses. These can increase your skill-set.
Hans, Cyber Threat Intelligence and Asia-Pacific Analyst, talked about the relevance of his Bachelor to his current job: 'International Studies gave me a solid understanding of my region and its geopolitical challenges.' However, Hans also noted that the ‘real world’ is quite different from academia; fulfilling the needs of a corporate audience requires extra skills.
Lena, consultant at a large international firm, encouraged International Studies graduates to branch out: 'Don’t be afraid to try different things. The image you have of a certain job might not be the reality. Consider the topic you’re interested in, but also the type of work you enjoy. Don’t be afraid to be open to different places of work.' Great advice, Lena!
After the panelists answered questions from the audience and moderator Jin, participants were able to network with the panelists via break-out rooms. All in all, it was a very successful event!
Building a strong alumni community
The BAIS Alumni Association is dedicated to building a strong alumni community. The Association believes that there is a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion among BAIS alumni. Facilitating the exchange of ideas, and connecting alumni to current students is central to their work. If you’re interested in future events organized by the BAIS Alumni Association, please join their Facebook group.
