Considering an international job to start your career

Getting your first career break after graduating can be tough. Have you submitted dozens of job applications only to hear nothing back? If you’re open to experiencing new cultures and travelling, it might be worth considering jobs and internships abroad. UAL's jobs board, Creative Opportunities, promotes creative industry roles and opportunities both in the UK and internationally. We shared 1,600+ paid jobs and internships in 2021, making?Creative Opportunities?a great place to start your creative career.

Between November 2021 and now, the?Office for National Statistics (ONS)?reported a positive increase in the number of vacancies in the UK across most industries. However, for the creative industries (including arts, entertainment and recreation), the number of vacancies decreased from the previous quarter. It’s likely to take some time for the creative industries to recover, but that does not mean you can't start your career right away.

Creative Opportunities specialises in listing creative jobs and internships, particularly entry-level roles for final year students and recent graduates. Whilst most roles are London-based, in 2021 we advertised vacancies from cities and countries across the world including Paris, Hong Kong, Cayman Islands, Germany, Italy, Spain and USA.

In line with our minimum wage policies, each role is approved on condition of meeting the minimum wage in that respective country. When applying for international roles, we recommend confirming the salary with the employer, and to ask if any extra travel expenses are available. It's also worth reaching out to current employees through LinkedIn to ask for first-hand experience.

Getting your first job is just like a first chapter in a book. It's a start. It's rare you will have the experience to land your dream job right away after graduation but working abroad can help you to build the skills and experience to get there. If you’re an international student struggling with visa sponsorships, it would be easier to find a job in an area with fewer barriers to entry.

How working abroad can make your CV stand out to future employers

• Demonstrates your determination to get out there and to take advantage of opportunities. You won't let your comfort zone hold you back.
• Working with colleagues from different backgrounds proves your ability to work in a team.
• Living in a different culture develops your communication skills. You may even pick up a new language.
• Learning to budget and manage your own finances overseas can inform your work, especially when managing budgets.
• Building both professional and personal networks internationally could open doors and help create leads for future jobs.

If you are a UAL student or graduate and need further advice on how to get your first job you can access tailored?one-to-one careers support?for up to 2 years after you graduate.

With approximately 20,000 students from 130 countries, half of which are international students, UAL alumni can be found across the globe. If you’re planning an international move,?connecting with your local UAL alumni network?could help you to connect with peers.