continuing your career
So, you’ve finished your program with BAFF – what’s next? For participants returning home to an existing job or degree program, the transition can be a relatively easy one. For those launching a new career search, however, the process can be more complex. Here are some useful resources to help you.
UPDATE YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE
Update your CV and your profile on social networking sites such as LinkedIn with the latest achievements, including your participation in the BAFF scholarship program. The attainment of this professional experience in the United States would not have been possible without the support provided by the BAFF scholarship. By including details about the foundation, you showcase your prestigious achievement.
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List your BAFF experience under work experience. This is an example of how it could look:
Intern at [Placement], BAFF Professional Internship Program Scholarship
Research Fellow at [Placement], BAFF Research Scholar Program Scholarship
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Updating your LinkedIn profile by including information about BAFF can offer several benefits:
Networking opportunities. Other BAFFers may find your profile and connect with you, providing a chance to expand your professional network.
Career growth. Including information about BAFF can enhance your profile’s visibility in keyword searches, making it more likely for others to find and consider you for relevant opportunities.
Giving back opportunities. Others within your network might also look for internship opportunities. It gives people a specific topic to ask about, allowing you to share more about your experience and encouraging others to gain professional experience in the U.S.
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A Two-Year Home Country Physical Presence (Residency) Requirement is a requirement of participation in BAFF Professional Internship program. Upon completion of the Professional Internship, you are required to return immediately to, and reside in, your country of permanent residency for a minimum of two years and are not permitted to stay or attempt to stay in the U.S. or any other foreign country, including to work, pursue work, or study.
The residency requirement constitutes a moral obligation that relates to the foundational aim of BAFF to promote Baltic economic development through investment in the career development of young professionals.
CHECK OUT THE TOP JOB SEARCH WEBSITES IN YOUR COUNTRY
JOIN THE U.S. EXCHANGE ALUMNI NETWORK
Join the U.S. Department of State alumni group, where past and present U.S. government-sponsored exchange program participants find tools to advance their communities and our world.
TAKE PART IN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENTS
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AmChams in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are serving as thought leadership hubs for American and international businesses. AmChams are organizing events that might be relevant for BAFF alumni. BAFF alumni can take part in events for “non members”.
These events might serve as a great platform to network with leading business executives:
AmCham Events in Latvia
AmCham Events in Lithuania
AmCham Events in Estonia
New: PROFESSIONAL SOFT-LANDING INITIATIVE
A lot of the best hiring happens thanks to the person's own network. If there's another person who's willing to vouch for the potential candidate or who knows them from before, it's much easier to get to a conversation with the decision-maker.
To empower you to make tangible, meaningful contributions to the Baltic countries, the BAFF Alumni Council launched the Professional Soft-Landing initiative - a process to contribute and lighten professional journeys in the Baltics for the BAFF alumni, making BAFF alumni seen as top professionals, exclusive and attractive in the job market.
If you are looking for a job after your scholarship in the U.S., or for opportunities to grow - take up higher positions, get higher-paid jobs, and try out different positions in various industries or companies - this initiative offers you an exclusive opportunity to access HR professionals at various companies in the Baltic countries.
If you’re a BAFF Alum, please submit your request to access the HR directory. After registering, you will receive a unique password via email, granting you full access to the directory. Once you identify a company you're interested in working for, contact the provided HR contacts directly.
soft-landing faq
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The initiative is targeted to all BAFF alumni: those who have finished their scholarship program in the U.S. recently, and those who are in the Baltics and launching a new career search.
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No. The initiative is not an obligation for the BAFF to make sure that companies recruit BAFF alumni.
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No. This initiative supports BAFF alumni in enhancing professional careers in the Baltics.
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1. Update your résumé or CV with your latest achievements, including your participation in the BAFF scholarship program.
2. Don’t forget to update your profile on social networking sites such as LinkedIn.
3. Submit your request (LINK) to get a unique password to access the HR directory.
4. Check the HR Directory and identify a company you're interested in working for, contact the provided HR contacts directly.
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The list of companies in the HR directory is continuously updated. Please check it regularly.
Create your profihttps://www.balticamericanfreedomfoundation.org/alumni-directory on our Alumni Directory https://www.balticamericanfreedomfoundation.org/alumni-directory. The Directory will help you navigate the BAFF Alumni community and get better connected to the network. You can filter who is looking for employees or colleagues. You might find other BAFF alumni working in your dream company who might be willing to reach out or vouch for you as the potential candidate.
Join the closed LinkedIn BAFF Fellows group https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8930267/. Reach out directly to other alumni, post that you are looking for a job or perhaps you are looking for an employee or colleague - make the most of your connections with fellow BAFF Alumni members.