The director of the UI’s Dual Career Network, received an e-mail last March from somewhere unexpected: Tübingen, Germany.

Waiting in Joan Murrin’s inbox was an invitation from the German American Institute there to be a keynote speaker at a conference on dual-career issues in Germany. The U.S. Embassy in Germany funded her trip.

Universities throughout Germany are trying to either set up or upgrade their dual-career programs, which helps spouses of newly hired faculty and staff find nearby employment.

The German American Institute at Tübingen invited Murrin based on the UI’s advanced program.

The UI Dual Career Network, established in 1994, has helped start programs at more than 45 universities internationally.

“The university presented the idea to the Embassy, referring to me as a topical expert,” Murrin said. “They were delighted to fund the trip.”

From July 20-24, Murrin traveled across southern Germany, where she visited four universities and spoke to a total of six.

The universities she spoke to had a range of needs.

“I had all different audiences each day,” she said. “I had to change my approach with each one.”

Murrin said she learned the most from two representatives from universities in Munich.

“I really learned what Germans are having to deal with,” she said. “Their primary concern is gender equity. They’re dealing with social issues that just haven’t caught up with the rest of the world.”

For the German universities, the UI’s program was an “American model.”

If the spouse of a new hiring is looking for a tenure-track faculty position at the UI, he or she is refereed to Susan Johnson, the associate provost for faculty.

“We help sharpen up job-seeking skills,” Johnson said. “We offer help with résumé and cover letters, mock interviews, salary negotiations, etc. We don’t guarantee placement, but we help them become candidates with high potential.”

If a job within the university is unavailable or the client is uninterested, they are refereed to Murrin, who then helps them find a job in the community.

The UI has working connections with more than 500 area employers within a 60-mile radius of Iowa City, Murrin said.

Murrin said about 60 to 80 percent of her clients get jobs, but the recession has had an effect.

“[The recession] has made our job really tough, but surprisingly, we’ve had quite a few successful cases so far this year,” she said.

Because of budget cuts, the Dual Career Network recently lost an administrative support person. Murrin said she plans to try to get some funding to bring back the position.

“In a small department, when you cut one person, it goes deeply,” she said.

Murrin said the trip made her appreciate the UI’s support more than before.

“I have a strong appreciation for how open the UI has been to this and how supportive they’ve been.”