Dear BI Career Consultants:

I have received an M.A. degree in history and have done service projects in West Africa. My ultimate goal is to be a director of international student affairs. In order to get there, I need a doctorate degree, and in order to get into a doctoral program, I need experience in higher education.
What strategies would you suggest I use to get an entry-level position in higher education with my current education/experience?

Grace Ansah Director, Office of International Student Services, Howard University

Work experience and academic preparation in a wide cross-section of disciplines are important for a career in the field of international student affairs. Such disciplines may include international relations or education, cross-cultural communication, cross-cultural education or counseling, guidance and counseling, counseling psychology, student development, or combinations of these disciplines. Work experience in any of these disciplines weighs heavily.
In addition, the following are essential qualifications:

h an understanding of the cross-cultural   adjustment cycle;
h experience living and working in a
 different culture for a period of time;
h counseling skills;
h program development, implementation   and evaluation skills;
h skills in training design and evaluation  of training programs, workshops and   seminar;
h knowledge of orientation program-  design, implementation and budgetary  management;
h knowledge of and work experience   with immigration and labor policies  and regulations;
h collaborative skills-working with    diverse populations and as a team    member; and
h the ability to manage a diverse staff,   pay attention to details, and write   clearly.

A doctorate is usually not a requirement for entry into this field, although it can be an asset to you professionally. In some cases, a doctorate is necessary for the directorate of a multicultural affairs unit — although this varies with institutions of higher education. Since you plan to pursue a doctorate degree, you may want to major in one of the disciplines mentioned above. Seek out opportunities to volunteer or acquire a graduate assistantship or fellowship in an international service oriented office, where you will gain exposure to  the field.
Ideally, you will enter the field at an international student advisor level, which usually requires a bachelor's degree in any of the disciplines already mentioned with two or three years of relevant work experience. A master's degree may sometimes be substituted for work experience. At the directorate level, a master's degree in any of the disciplines mentioned and two to three years of professional work experience are the usual requirements.
Usually, doctoral programs do not require experience in higher education as a prerequisite for admission.