I want a career at a college helping college students study abroad. What should I get a degree in?

Question

What is the best way to prepare for attaining this sort of career? What should I major in? Will I also need a masters degree? I've considered getting a B.A. in either sociology or communications. I just want to go about this the right way because helping people study abroad is what I really want to do.

Answer 1

That might be okay, or you could major in something like regional studies, geography, or a language. Just make sure you do some studying abroad yourself so that you can speak to the experience. And if you want to move up in that field and become head of a program, take some business courses - you could use accounting and business law. I was in charge of a study abroad department last year, and when we talked about the kind of people we wanted to hire, the thing which came out strongly was that we needed someone with integrity, budgeting capabilities, negotiating skills, organizational skills, cross-cultural fluency, and people skills (because you have to deal with students and their parents). We agreed that it was less important that the person be in love with travel themselves, as that sometimes would lead to ethical violations, if the person were to take free trips from vendors and spend their time traveling, rather than working with students.

Answer 2

Whatever you do, study abroad yourself. Also, go to a college that has an International Programs office and get a job as a student worker in that office while you are in school. Example: http://www.temple.edu/studyabroad/

Another option you might want to consider is working in the office of a university that helps students and employees from other countries attend college or work here. That would be called an International Services office. Example:
http://www.temple.edu/ois/

Answer 3

B.A. in International Studies or Languages. Follow that up with an M.A. in Student Personnel.

Answer 4

educational administration.