1. WHAT BUSINESS
WANTS FROM
GRADUATES…
Mary Risner
UF Center for Latin American Studies
UF Center for International Business Education and Research
(CIBER)
2011 Southern Business Education Association
Orlando, FL

3. Objectives/Overview
 Highlight needs of current workforce
 Share career perspectives of business people
and business students
 Reflect on how educators can better prepare
students for their careers

4. At the Center of 21st Century Skills
Interdisciplinary Empathy
Connections
Digital Competence
Technical/Subject
Area Expertise
Foreign Languages

5. Value of Liberal Arts
Babson College president, Leonard
Schlesinger, argues that “concrete business
skills tend to expire in five years or so, as
technology and organizations change. History
and philosophy, on the other hand, provide the
kind of contextual knowledge and reasoning
skills that are indispensable for business
students”.
Glen, D. (2011). For Business Majors, Easy Does It. The Chronicle of Higher
Education. LVII (33), A1-A5.

6. Employers Dissatisfied with International
Skills/ Cultural Awareness
 The CBI’s new Education and Skills Survey 2011
shows that employability skills are the most
important factor considered when employers
recruit. 4 in 5 employers (82%) value these skills.
 The survey showed that amongst the poorest
performing of the so-called employability skills
exhibited by school-leavers were international
cultural awareness skills.
http://www.think-global.org.uk/news/blog-
item.asp?n=12723

7. Question 1
How have cultural knowledge, experiences, and
communication skills played a role in your
educational background, including
coursework, internships, etc.?

8. Jessica- Microfinance Industry
Cultural knowledge and communication skills played a
critical role in my educational experience. For example, my
fluency in the Spanish language along with my academic
interest in the business environment in Mexico was
essential in my internship with the US Commercial Service
sector in Mexico City. My internship also influenced my
academic experience because it provided a contextual
reference to my studies and on the ground experience.

9. Louise- Public Relations
 I was born and partially raised in Brazil, and upon
moving to Florida, I was exposed to not only English but
Spanish as well. The classrooms might as well have
been United Nations conference rooms, as there were
so many people from different areas of the world.
Everyone brought a different perspective to the
table, and whether you notice it or not, it broadens your
mind. My roommates in college ranged from Haiti to
Qatar and Honduras, and that’s exactly how I wanted it.

10. Question 2
What are the daily skills that are needed in the
international work
in which you currently engage?

11. Ed-Deloitte Consultant
 Language is a BIG plus - understanding all of the side
conversations, interacting with more senior executives
(particularly in Sales functions) who may not speak
English as well, or just being able to interpret e-mails as
they are forwarded or data as it is sent is all much easier
with language understanding.
 Cultural awareness is also critical. My colleagues who
work internationally less frequently tend to become
impatient, have unrealistic deadlines, or are otherwise
culturally biased when we are working overseas. This
can lead to frustration or, worse, misunderstandings with
our clients if not corrected.

12. The Languages of
Business

13. Jorge, Government Affairs
 First, understanding the language and culture of a
region are very important as it gives you and
instant connection to the local population. you are
always more welcome when you can
communicate in the local language even if they
speak your language. They see that as an effort
on your part to understand them better. I am a
native speaker but I see this even when I travel
with non-native speakers that make an effort to
communicate with the local population in Spanish.
They may not always get it right but its
appreciated.

14. “Halo Effect”
First impressions with the international client
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2uQYH8tqcM&feature=cha
nnel Language, Business, and the “Halo” Effect ( 1.5
minutes)

15. Question 3
What advice would you give to current educators
in preparing
students with cultural
knowledge, experiences, and communication
skills?

16. Chris-CSX Logistics
Keeping weekly to monthly communication with
students who are from the specific areas that
educators are teaching about, other professors who
have done research, expats, etc. will allow educators
to have a better and more accurate picture of what
they are educating their students on. For example:
Information coming from a Colombian student or an
American expat who has been working in Colombia
for the past 10 years will provide educators with a
much more detailed and accurate picture of the
Colombian culture than what someone may find from
a book or older research.

17. Carmenza- Economic Development
Council
They need to continue preparing students in world
issues, world geography, history, languages such as
Spanish, Portuguese, German, Chinese Mandarin and
others so that they can succeed in international business
and be the best in the world. I am a believer that our future
generation has to be better prepared and more cultural
oriented than our current generation.

18. Business Student Testimonials
 Http://dev.warrington.ufl.edu/sb/intlprograms/
 Personal development
 Academic commitment
 Intercultural development
 Career development

19. Class Activities
 Interview professionals (podcasts)
 Reflect and compare with US- Hofstede’s
Dimensions
 Visit bi-national chambers and trade office
websites for job descriptions

20. Career Resources
 http://nble.org/career-spotlight/
 http://nble.org/advocacy/
 http://www.geert-hofstede.com/
 NSEP Flagship- Preparing Global
Professionals
http://nble.org/wpcontent/uploads/2009/12/what_
business_wants_report_final_7_09.pdf

21. NOBLE Network

22. NOBLE

23. Culture Crossing

24. Contact
Mary Risner
mrisner@latam.ufl.edu
Twitter
@langforcareers