Taking the Future into Your Hands with AIESEC

Sep 28, 2012 by admin

Going off to college is one of the first major steps into adulthood.  You are finally on your own, having escaped the rule of your parents.  You are anxious to see what kind of new people you will meet and the new things you will learn both in and outside of the classroom.  It is your opportunity to reinvent yourself and try new things.  However, college can be daunting for some as well, because it is where you will decide and create the pathway to your future.  This is a scary thought, but there are people and organizations out there that want to help; chief among them is AIESEC.

AIESEC is the largest youth-run organization in the world with 86,000 members though that number is constantly growing.  The name was an acronym that can be translated as the ‘International Economic and Science Students Association.’  However, it has grown so much over the years and changed in so many ways that AIESEC, as an acronym, has become outdated and is no longer used.  It can be found in 113 countries and territories and at 2,400 universities.  Their primary focus is to develop leadership.  This is done through a variety of ways, but they are most popular for exchange and internship programs with any of the 8,000 organizations that they are partnered with.  AIESEC is a truly amazing organization that has attained its place at the top because it is run by you.

Where it all began

AIESEC was founded in 1948, but its history goes back to sometime in the 1930′s.  During this time, schools across Europe did not have the connections and partnerships that they have today so it was left up to the students to take up internships for themselves.  They were also charged with coming up with their own representatives to act as liaisons with other schools about programs.  Most of this activity came to a standstill once World War II started, but many neutral countries kept up their contacts.

In 1944, two students, one from Belgium and the other from Czechoslovakia founded the forerunner for AIESEC, called AIESE, at Stockholm School of Economics.  AISEC was officially established in 1948.  By the end of the 1950′s, AIESEC had spread across Europe and began to reach out across the oceans to several schools in the USA, including Yale and Columbia.  By the 1970′s exchanges between universities were growing exponentially which forced them to establish the “International Theme Programme” that became the base guideline for what AIESEC is today.

The Advantages of AIESEC

AIESEC has had 64 years to build and mold them into the perfect tool to motivate and turn you into the person you want to be.  One of their primary focuses is international exchanges and internships in any country that you have ever wanted to go to.  It’s also a great way to get practical experience while you are studying; AIESEC pushes you out of your comfort zone to give you the edge in your field once you graduate.  Also, with nearly 90,000 members, AIESEC is a valuable networking tool to make friends and future contacts.

AIESEC is not just any organization; it is a tool, a club and a group of friends that can help you go places, both literally and figuratively, that you never thought possible.  Check out your university to see if AIESEC is there for you.

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Expanding Your Horizons with the United Nations

Sep 28, 2012 by admin

A lot of students go to college with the idea that they are going to save the world.  After several years of classes, exchange programs and internships, many no longer consider this just an idea.  It is a mission.  If you are such a student getting ready to graduate from college, one of your primary aims is probably to join the United Nations.

The United Nations is an international organization that focuses on helping to strengthen international law and security, protect human right and promote economic development.  It is very ambitious in its cause and has connections within many aspects of business in the majority of the countries all over the world.  Thanks to their determination to help so many people, the United Nations has a constant need for new employees in all of their sectors.

In the past, it was difficult to get a job with the United Nations if you were merely a first-level college graduate.  Companies affiliated with the UN usually looked for a minimum of a PhD level candidate, but preferred one with at least six years of experience in their particular field.  And while this level of professionalism is commendable, the demands of the world require more people who are just as determined, but don’t have the resources to reach that level.  This is where you and the Young Professionals Program come in.

First, there are a few things that you should know about the UN.  It is a huge organization that rivals the largest conglomerates so it has many levels of employment.  There are three broad sectors within the UN: the generalist (G level) positions, professional (P level) positions or Director (D level) positions.  G level positions consist mainly of secretarial work, taking on the role of a peace-keeping officer and other administrative duties that are needed on a local level.  It is much easier to join as a generalist and many of these jobs require as little as a High School diploma; however, it becomes very hard to progress up to the P or D levels.

D level positions are set aside for those that are highly experienced in their field and have proven that they are capable of overseeing an entire division of their peers.  It is the P level positions that most college graduates are aiming for.  These are the ones who really make the difference.

If you are under the age of 32 and hold at least an undergraduate degree in fields, including: architecture, political affairs, information systems and technology, among many others and you live in a participating country, you might have what it takes to work as a professional at the UN.  First you must create a profile and fill in an application that can be found on careers.un.org.  The key to being successful in this program is studying.  Your application is then screened and if you are well qualified, you will be sent the required study material for a highly specialized test that is held annually.  The test consists of two parts, a general exam that tests your ability to arrange and combine information and a specialized paper that focuses on your area of expertise.

If you pass the test, you will be called in for an interview which will hopefully get you on your way to a rewarding and demanding career within the United Nations.

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Conference Highlights 47 Employers With Student Awards

Sep 22, 2012 by admin

Recently a conference in Berlin honored 47 different worldwide employers for exemplary roles in working directly with higher learning universities and colleges to facilitate student employment both before and after graduation. Amongst the winners were companies like Ikea, Apple, DaimlerChrysler and Samsung.  In addition, employment awards went out to for the student interactive online Walmart application, the mobile Mcdonalds application and Home Depot careers general scholarship.

In addition, the Berlin conference was a time for many employers to get a chance to introduce themselves to our student members. Over three hundred members attended the four day conference. There were panels and question and answer services in the afternoon. There were also special workshops designed to assist students in interview preparation as well as giving insight into various workforce cultures.

In all the four day conference was a success. Stay tuned for a more extensive write up and review as well as student testimonials from the conference in the next few weeks.

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