Welcome to Brazen Careerist!

About Me

Wanderlust enabler. International education fanatic. Seasoned international student. Culture sampler. Disruptive technology specialist.

I give advice to study abroad alumni. I advise on jobs, international internships, networking, gap years, and international service learning projects. I also dig the DIY approach to international education.

I'm on the lookout for international education trends, unique global programming options, fellowships/internships with international organizations, startups and social entrepreneurial organizations. If you've got one, message me or tweet me at @pdxnicolle!

I'm currently examining how employers view students international experiences and how study abroad alumni should articulate their skill set to potential employers.

In the future, I am to develop international internships as a component of study abroad programs by tapping into international alumni.

Work History

• Foster Business School
• AD MBA Global Programs
• August 2010 to Present

• I help MBA's go abroad! Currently advising MBA on global programming options and managing the yearly Study Tours - fast-paced, student-led tours abroad that give MBA students access to business executives at leading companies.

  Thinking of doing an internationally focused MBA? I've got some advice!

• GlobalCampus
• University Partnerships Manager
• September 2009 to November 2010

• Business dev't and client relations for an international social networking site connecting future students and higher education administrators worldwide.

  Best part about this job: the start up atmosphere. Each week I used multiple skills: writing, training new users, researching user experience, researching the market and price points, social media outreach, online community management. I worked cross-culturally and remotely, using Skype to connect with my coworkers and clients.

  Favorite project: Tell Your Story video contest! Launched in April 2010, I invited future and current student in our global online community to submit YouTube videos to introduce themselves to admissions reps and discuss their educational goals and achievements. We received over 200 videos and presented a mashup of the videos at the largest US international education conference in the US, NAFSA, to great reviews from international higher education administrators.

• Travel to Teach
• International Programs Coordinator
• September 2007 to December 2007

• Graduate School Internship in Nongkhai, Thailand: Coordinated all logistics and placement detail for applicants to Travel to Teach programs in 9 countries. Handled incoming applications, answered cultural questions, advised on visa and travel requirements, addressed complaints and facilitated placements. All around problem solver and cross cultural communicator!

• Western Culinary Institute
• Community Relations Representative
• January 2006 to August 2006

• Delivered life skills presentations to high school students throughout Oregon and Washington to encourage them to pursue higher education options. Established WCI as a leading culinary school at culinary events, competitions and community events.

• International Student Volunteers
• International Recruiter
• January 2005 to May 2005

• Traveled throughout US, Canada, Australia and NZ to promote ISV volunteer tourism programs and adventure travel to university students. Gave over 100 presentations to audiences of 100-500 students. I left this job with amazing public speaking skills and excellent persuasive speech capabilities.

• Personnel Source, Inc.
• Recruiter and Temp office worker
• August 2002 to August 2009

• The temporary worker is often asked to do tasks with minimal training, support and communication. A temp must adapt on the fly, ask questions regularly, adjust constantly to new environments and unfamiliar teams, and produce results with a smile (after all the employer is a paying client).

  From my temp experiences over the years, I have become an solid problem solver, communicator, and can adapt to most situations and environments with confidence. I also worked with almost every type of office coworker and manager imaginable; in doing so I developed the number one skill future job interviewers are assessing interviewees for: people skills.

Education

• Aalborg Universitet
• Culture, Communication and Globalization, International Education and Volunteerism, Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability
• 2006 - 2008

• At Aalborg University students work in multicultural groups using a problem-based and project-centered approach to their learning. This program is highly interdisciplinary giving students the opportunity to gain in depth knowledge in a subject of their choosing. Graduates gain experience in project management, while working with a variety of cultures, developing both research and practical skills for future careers.

• University of Oregon
• French, Italian, Study Abroad Outreach
• 1999 - 2003

• Study Abroad in Siena, Italy and Angers, France through AHA International