In today’s global economy, women who are prepared to work abroad can dramatically accelerate their careers and expand personal horizons beyond their wildest dreams. Higher pay raises, faster promotions and increased responsibility are the reasons - not to mention a whole lot of fun! If you -- or a woman you know -- loves adventure and thrives on taking risks and operating outside your comfort zone, the international ticket could be your fast-track to the top.

When my coauthor and I started working on our book, Get Ahead By Going Abroad: A Woman’s Guide to Fast-Track Career Success (HarperCollins 2007) two years ago, we did so because we recognized that as U.S. companies became more global they would need more Americans with international skills. We also had a hunch there were more women like us - women who had worked overseas and then used that international experience to catapult their careers.

Timing is everything.

So we decided to test our hunch by conducting a two-part research survey: 50 in-depth interviews with professional women who have lived and worked abroad and an online survey reaching more than 200 women who had spent significant time overseas, either as expatriates or in HQ-based roles with significant international responsibility.

This research confirmed our theory about the benefits of women working abroad, but we learned another critical piece of information, too: Women not only succeed but tend to be more likely to excel abroad than men.

Why pound the pavement in Peoria when you can be strolling in Paris? The vast majority of the globetrotting women surveyed agreed saying that going overseas accelerated their career (85%), had a significant impact on compensation (78%) and made them better leaders and managers (95%). They also said they would advise other women to go abroad to advance their careers (83%).

So, with the research in hand, our purpose became clear: get the word out to all female professionals that they should consider working abroad. Arm them with the information they need to help them successfully pursue that first international assignment, thrive in it and make the most of it for a stellar career.

We conducted our research with all women in mind: at all ages and personal stages in life, and at all career levels and across a wide variety of industries, corporate, non-profit and government. Included are real stories of women who succeeded and who inspire, encourage and motivate. Like successful women who came before us, these women encourage others to follow in their footsteps and their successes instill a "can do" attitude.

While going abroad is not for everybody, most of us know someone who has or will. You may even be mentoring a woman (or man) who needs advice in this increasingly important space. If so, the book is a practical how-to guide following a linear path that begins with determining if working abroad is right for you to landing the coveted assignment through making the most of the experience.

Our award-winning book is the first of its kind, a book "Fortune" called Get Ahead By Going Abroad "a must-read for anyone serious about going global". We wrote it for women like you in the hopes it will help you achieve your personal and professional aspirations. We only wish we’d had it when we started out!

To learn more about the book and research, go to: www.getaheadbygoingabroad.com.