A group of Elon University students in the International Business Club interested in working abroad have helped organize the school’s first international career conference. The event will feature speakers who have worked globally with nongovernmental organizations in international business or trade.

The goals of the conference are to encourage global thinking and cultural awareness, prepare students for the global workplace and showcase career opportunities outside of the United States.

[box]International Career Conference When: 1-4 p.m. March 1 Where: Moseley Why: To present post-graduate international opportunities[/box]

Junior Lizzy Larson, finance and international business double major, studied abroad in Barcelona and is a founding member of the International Business Club. She worked with Tom Tiemann, professor of economics, to plan the conference.

“It’s a great outlet for any student looking for interna-tional opportunities,” Larson said.

Larson said she hopes students of all majors will come and grasp a greater understanding of the importance of international jobs. At the conference, interested students can begin seeking opportunities to work abroad.

[quote]Everyone, in some way, should be looking at a global career. -Austin Rhoads, sophomore international business and marketing major [/quote]

Sophomore Austin Rhoads, a international business and marketing double major, was in charge of contacting and scheduling speakers. He will bring in speakers from a variety of local and global companies, including Thomas Nelson, professor of communications.

Junior Lauren Teltsch, a marketing and management double major, is managing the public relations and advertising of the conference. Teltsch lived in Paris for five years because of her father’s job, and said she believes everyone should have some international experience.

“I am very open to working abroad,” Teltch said. “It keeps work interesting.”

Larson, Rhoads and Teltsch have been organizing the conference with Tiemann and fellow student Scott Bishopric since the fall 2011 semester.

“It’s so easy to get caught up in your own world that you forget about everything else going on in the world,” Larson said. “It’s a good way to open your eyes.”

The conference is open to all students.

“Everyone, in some way, should be looking at a global career," Rhoads said.