Working World

A book and a blog, Working World is a resource for making sound career choices. It examines issues, ideas, and resources related to careers in international affairs and is particularly valuable for those interested in exploring a career in international education, exchange, and development.

As an ever-growing number of professionals — including recent college graduates, those looking to make a mid-career change, and retirees searching for a second career — look to be involved in work with an international focus and work abroad, Working World provides a needed forum for exploring the issues that surround a career in international relations.

Sherry Mueller, head of a nonprofit organization with an international focus, and Mark Overmann, a young professional on his way up, offer insight on launching a career, not just landing a job. We represent contrasting personalities, levels of experience, and different generations, and engage in an intergenerational dialogue designed to highlight alternative approaches to the same destination: making a difference in the world.

Mixing anecdotes and advice, we present our individual perspectives on career development, including such topics as identifying your cause, the art of networking, the value of mentors, and careers as “continuous journeys.” We push international job seekers to challenge assumptions about what it means to pursue a career in international relations and to recognize that the path to career success is rarely straight.

To help the international job seeker chart the best course, Working World the book provides specific resources including annotated lists of selected organizations, websites, and further reading. Profiles of twelve professionals, from promising young associates to presidents and CEOs, illustrate the book’s main topics. Each professional provides insight into his or her career choices, distills lessons learned, and offers practical advice about building a career in international affairs. All of these resources were chosen specifically to help job seekers map the next steps toward the internship, job, or other opportunity that will give shape to the career they envision.

Working World the blog follows a similar format, discussing topics important to career development and highlighting job search resources and the work of professionals in the fields. The blog also engages the fields of international education, exchange, and development on a broad level, examining timely and relevant issues, articles, and other blog posts. To build a successful career in any field, it is essential to be fully immersed, and Working World immerses itself in the international.

Welcome to the Working World.

The Authors

Sherry L. Mueller is the president of the National Council for International Visitors. She had her first international experience as a student on an Experiment in International Living program in Germany. More»

Mark Overmann is the assistant director of the Alliance for International Educational and Cultural Exchange. He made his first trip abroad during college to study in France. More»