5 ways to develop global PR experience without leaving the country

As a PR pro, you might be interested in acquiring global experience—but getting work opportunities abroad can be difficult. You still can find opportunities to hone international skills without leaving the country.

Here are five solutions:

However, small independent agencies also represent international organizations. In-house positions can be found at multinational corporations. Privately held companies or even startups might be targeting global audiences. Governments, whether U.S. or foreign with U.S. offices, also offer international career opportunities in-house or on the agency side, particularly in tourism and economic development.

Also consider NGOs with headquarters in the U.S. or other foreign-based NGOs that have a presence in the U.S. According to the U.S. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, approximately 1.5 million NGOs are operating in the U.S. The World Association of Non-governmental Organizations (https://wango.org) has a directory of NGOs in over 120 countries. Also, look at in-house jobs with nonprofits that need to communicate beyond their headquarters’ borders. Idealist (www.idealist.org) posts nonprofit jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities.