How did I get this dream job?! (Pt. 1)

So you might be wondering…. how does one find a job abroad? When I was looking, I wanted to stay within my passion: education and college access. I did not want to abandon that calling just to say I live in another country. However, for you, it might not be a huge deal. In the summer of 2017, I went on an epic trip with one of my friends in which we hopped across 6 West African countries. As we were preparing for the trip, I started to remember my 2006 trip to Cape Town, South Africa  and how I said I would always move abroad when I finished college. I then thought to myself, "How could I prepare to find a job abroad?" After telling people my desire (which it is always good to do, because someone may have your answer), my coworker told me about his experience in the Peace Corp and  suggested that I look into that. He also mentioned that I might try looking to work for an International School. One by one, I started to piece together options for the future abroad that I desired. I sent emails to the principals at the American International Schools in the West African countries that I would be visiting. I met with a few of them, and each gave me nuggets of wisdom as to how I could become a desirable candidate. I came back and met with the dean and principal I work under to tell them my plan. I chose the transparent route because I knew that they could be strong recommenders; plus, I hate secrets! Don’t ever ask me to plan a surprise party...it gives me the worst anxiety ever! Lol. The head of a school in Senegal (which was my top choice) told me to join Search Associates. It is a employment matching service for educators around the world looking to work at schools internationally. It took me about 3 months for my screening, but once I was approved, jobs came daily into my inbox. I wanted to work anywhere in Africa, but many of the schools there did not have openings for school or college counselors. Then, one day, Think Global School emailed me with an invitation to learn more about their school and to apply! I did, and my life will never be the same! I’ll post more about TGS and why it is the perfect fit in my next blog!