The Future of Work Takes Center Stage at The Careers, Internships, and Global Learning Conference in Costa Rica

From October 19-21, international educators, career services professionals, faculty, and global learning leaders gathered in Costa Rica for The Forum on Education Abroad’s fourth annual Careers, Internships, and Global Learning (CIGL) Conference. This dynamic, sold-out convening examined how globally focused career preparation can shape the next generation of professionals. 

Hosted in San José, the CIGL Conference created space for more than 190 attendees to exchange innovative ideas, emerging research, and diverse perspectives on preparing students for an evolving global workforce. 

“Education abroad does more than broaden horizons: it builds the confidence, adaptability, and leadership skills that define career success,” said Melissa Torres, President and CEO of The Forum on Education Abroad. “Global learning experiences foster curiosity and give students a competitive edge, preparing them to navigate the complexities of their future careers with purpose and perspective.” ​

A central theme throughout the event was how immersive global experiences build not only career competencies but also the social and emotional capital students need to thrive. Costa Rica’s vibrant culture and exemplary leadership in sustainability offered a powerful backdrop for exploring how education abroad can drive more inclusive, transformative career pathways. 
Session Spotlights in San José 

From powerful plenaries to effective research and practice briefs, CIGL Conference participants had a variety of ways to learn from subject matter experts while networking with fellow attendees. The opening plenary, Pathways to the Global Workforce: A Dialogue Across Sectors, featured cross-sector leaders like Josh Kahn of NACE; Salil Pande of VMock; Alejandro Filloy, formerly of Amazon; Tracey Bradley of the Tennessee Board of Regents; and Mario Vela of UT San Antonio (moderator), speaking about  how international educators, career management professionals, and the business sector can work together to ensure students develop career-relevant skills during their education abroad programs and are able to articulate them to future employers. 

A variety of Concurrent Session options were available throughout the conference, with Practice & Research Briefs—15-minute “Tik Tok-style” sessions that introduce attendees to a succinct summary of their innovation/solution/findings, with an opportunity for feedback and discussion—being a major highlight for participants. 

Another highlight from the conference’s programming was the exploration of the latest research from The Forum’s Education Abroad: The Career Catalyst campaign, a field-wide effort to demonstrate how education abroad equips students with real-world skills, professional agility, and a broader perspective that sets them apart in the workforce.  

During this year’s Closing Plenary, participants reflected on the insights gained over the past two days and how to work together to transform them into powerful narratives that convey the urgency, relevance, and return on investment of career-integrated global learning. Speakers included Aaron Klein of The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business, Ezequiel Herrera of Southwest Airlines, Ariel Vargas of Databricks, and Cynthia Engel of Oregon State University – Cascades (moderator) led this inspiring plenary.  

New this year was the Global Career Development Council (GCDC) Think Tank, which took place on Wednesday, October 22, and brought together 32 cross-sector leaders to discuss how international education can level the playing field and equip students with the skills employers need and the resilience and adaptability required to succeed in the global workforce. Participants discussed challenges to cross-campus collaboration, resources needed to support excellence in global career development, and how to make the work of this new organization adaptable in different cultural and institutional contexts. 

Also on October 22, more than 20 participants explored local internship sites in San José, visiting an NGO working with migrant populations, a sustainable fashion label, and an animal sanctuary. 

“There’s a real sense of momentum building around global career readiness,” said Elizabeth Frohlich, Ph.D., Senior Director of Learning and Event Engagement. “Our goal is to foster an environment where educators, employers, and partners can think strategically together, aligning education abroad with the skills and experiences students need to thrive in the future workforce.” 
Planning is already underway to build on this momentum and expand the event’s global reach in 2026. The next event will take place in Lisbon, Portugal, in October 2026 in conjunction with The Forum’s Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Conference. ​