Storytelling, Cartoons & Study Abroad Abroad Returnee... · 2020-06-07 · 2009 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity

2009 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights

reserved. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. This Power Point is available in alternative formats upon request.

Storytelling, Cartoons &

Study Abroad Creatively shaping your future

using your past


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Goals for this session

1. Define “brand” in the context of YOU

2. Recognize how this will help benefit you

in the career development process

3. Begin developing your personal brand

4. Use narrative to articulate your key

attributes and strengths


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A story by Joe


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Return on Investment of Study Abroad

http://www.coursehero.com/blog/2011/09/15/infographic-the-roi-of-studying-abroad/


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Brand is the “perception or emotion,

maintained by somebody other than you,

that describes the total experience of

having a relationship with you.”

–David McNally & Karl D. Speak, Be Your Own Brand


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“Brand” is professional speak for “what I

stand for.” A good brand is:

• Distinctive

• Relevant

• Consistent

Branding (without the irons)


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Branding exercise

What are your three most

relevant and compelling

attributes?

1.___

2.___

3.___

What makes you stand out?


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Components of your brand

SKILLS: basic competencies

STANDARDS: how you do what you do

STYLE: where the subjective and emotional

come in to play


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Your brand & your career

• First target your job. Choose a right fit for both you

and the place you want to end up.

• Know what you’ll be doing/selling/who you’ll be

serving (“you gotta serve somebody”)

• Articulate transferable skills.

• Ground yourself. Be honest. To be able to articulate

what you can do, you need to know who you are

and where you came from (your “origin story”). And

you must always be revising.


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Features/Benefits Efficient “I take deadlines seriously, and get through my “to do” list quickly

in order to have more time for larger projects.”

Deliberate “I like everything I do to have a specific

reason behind it, with a specific goal in

mind. I weigh several considerations on the

fly in order to make the best decision I can

in each situation. I want everything I touch

to be better in some way once it has left my

hands.”


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Your turn

1. Think about your features. (They can be related

to the attributes you identified earlier or not)

2. Articulate the benefits of the feature.

Next, we’ll:

3. Think of a specific illustration of those benefits

through something you’ve done (bonus points if

it’s study abroad related).


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Example features

Resourceful Hardworking Creative

Passionate Energetic Strategic

Motivating Good listener Patient

Versatile Leader Assertive

Multi-tasker Critical thinker Analytical

Teacher Inspiring Trustworthy

Fun Thorough Risk-taker

Engaging Well-prepared Ambitious


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What have you done?

Think of a specific illustration of those

benefits through something you’ve done

(bonus points if it’s study abroad related).

“I like everything I do to have a specific reason behind it, with a specific

goal in mind. I weigh several considerations on the fly in order to make

the best decision I can in each situation. I want everything I touch to be

better in some way once it has left my hands.”


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Past successes

• Redesigned something or reorganized

a process

• Helped with an event that was wildly

successful

• Swooped in to solve a problem in a

crucial situation


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Your personal mission statement • Professional identity

• Past successes (can be at work, in the community, at

home, while abroad)

• Core values and strengths

• Problems you are good at solving/ways you contribute or

make a difference (in the world, at home, at work, etc.)

• What you love to do

• What you’re known for

• Your next step (identify themes and goals)


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Example positioning statement

“I am an educator who is passionate about supporting the growth

and education of others–in whatever context that might be. I

believe in empowerment and will treat all people with the same

respect regardless of race, gender, ability or disability. In

relationships with my coworkers, my supervisors, and my clients, I

will strive to be humble, considerate, honest, and wise. I value

and keep my word. I hold myself accountable and give myself

credit. I also recognize that I’m part of a larger community. As

such, I will strive to encourage and support the dreams and

aspirations of others, learn about others, and contribute to the

betterment of my community.”


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A bit about creativity


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1. Can someone overseas do it cheaper?

2. Can a computer do it faster?

3. Is what I’m offering in demand in this age of

abundance?


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Enhancing creativity • Read Daniel Pink’s book “A Whole

New Mind.”

• Carry a sketchbook and use it. Get

used to using images as well as

words to express yourself.

• Draw/sketch/paint. These activities

nurture your right brain, so some form

of visual imagery creation is great

practice on a regular basis.

• Write. Reflect. Repeat.

• Experiment with digital storytelling


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Tell a story

Write a short narrative featuring your

chosen attributes as it relates to your

study abroad experience.


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Xue’s Digital Story


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Becky’s Digital Story


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Thank you!

Brian Liesinger

University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center

[email protected]

612-624-2595

mailto:[email protected]

Storytelling, Cartoons & Study Abroad Abroad Returnee... · 2020-06-07 · 2009 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity

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