People often say that the American business model and work environment is different than in other countries . . . but exactly how is it different? With CISL’s Career English program, students have the opportunity to experience the U.S. work environment by spending time at an American host company. Italian student Emanuela recently completed the CISL Career English program and shared her experience with us. We are pleased to see the many ways in which she improved her English through written and spoken tasks!

CISL Career English Student Emanuela Experiences the BioMedical Research Industry

Emanuela had two interviews: one at Constance Ardila, and one at BioMed IRB. Emanuela recalls that she was “positively astounded by Grace’s [the Career English Coordinator] fast ability to find work placements and interviews.”

Before the interviews, Emanuela worked with the Career English Coordinator to prepare. Was she ready? According to Emanuela, the interview experience was “absolutely positive. I felt prepared and the interviewer . . . made me feel comfortable and asked me different questions.”

As Emanuela mentions, there was a need for her to prepare: “For sure, I can say that the way the Career English Coordinator, Grace Turner, helped me to prepare my interviews was really useful; in fact, there is a wide difference between the American and the Italian way to conduct interviews. In addition, Grace also guided me to produce my Cover Letter and my resume.”

After the interviews, Emanuela chose BioMed IRB. “This was a smart choice, because this non-profit company is well-known and its name on a resume is well-seen.” What did she do during her time there? Emanuela details her experiences at the company.

“During my experience at BioMed IRB, I had the opportunity to work in a wide variety of tasks:

• reviewing some old email and check[ing] with the BioMed’s database if there was any missing document;
• send[ing] email to some customers and call[ing] some of them;
• reviewing the drafts of the old meetings and verifying that what is written on them corresponds to the invoices on the BioMed’s database with the same date;
• translation from English to Italian of some official document[s] of FDA;
• research related with Marco Polo and the spread of the plague in the 13th century;
• every Thursday I have attended the BioMed’s meetings by computer; this is definitely my favorite part of the work”

Emanuela also completed the company’s CITI program, where she says she learned the following:

• “writing a mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA);
• scanning and modifying some document by putting an online stamp of acknowledge and uploading them on their online database;
• understanding, through an online course, the issue of “patentability” regarding ideas and technologies
• writing an essay in English and Italian about the scientific method”

Overall, Emanuela says that she really enjoyed her responsibilities. “The two tasks I have enjoyed are: attending the meeting and the CITI program. In fact, attending a meeting by computer is not only interest[ing] because of the topic they vote on, but it’s also a really good practice to improve my listening skills. Furthermore, completing successfully the CITI program and obtaining the official certification are clearly worthy for the resume; also, the issues I studied for it were all strictly related with my major and useful for my future.”

Emanuela continues, “In conclusion, my experience was absolutely positive: the work environment is small, but friendly; my supervisor, Fred Fox, has showed good attitude and interest in teaching me every day something new. Everything I have done on my volunteer work was related with biomedical issues.”

Would she recommend the CISL Career English Program?

“I would completely recommend the CISL Career English program to potential students because it is a good experience.” The outcomes, Emanuela says, include “ being more confident on a work environment, especially for someone who has never worked before” and “meeting and being confident with an American work environment.” Overall, Emanuela sees that the CE Program “is absolutely good for the resume, especially for European.”

We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed your experience with CISL’s Career English program, Emanuela! We wish you all the best in your career in Italy and look forward to seeing how you use your English in the future!

CISL’s Career English program is a combination of English classes and time at an American host company. For more information on CISL’s Career English course, contact CISL.