What employers really value in students who study abroad
Extract from universityworldnews.com 25 September 2024
A new report titled Closing the Employer Gap on Global Skills Gained Through Mobility, look into the real-world impact of studying abroad on career prospects of graduates. The primary goal of the report was to untangle the complex relationship between international mobility and employability from an employer’s perspective. While the advantages of studying abroad are frequently celebrated, this report strives for tangible evidence from employers on the actual value of such experiences.
The research highlights the top skills that employers crave in recent graduates and how these align with the skills cultivated through international mobility. The top five skills identified were: communication; adaptability; problem-solving; teamwork; and time- and self-management
Employers emphasised that while international experiences are indeed beneficial, they are not a golden ticket to employment. The key lies in a graduate’s ability to effectively articulate how these experiences have sharpened their skills – an argument also reflected in Erasmus+ research findings.
The interviews revealed a critical insight: while employers value international experience, the ability to showcase relevant skills during the hiring process is crucial. Soft skills such as enthusiasm, engagement, motivation and communication were spotlighted as more critical than technical expertise for recent graduates.
Soft skills
The report underscores the significant benefits that studying abroad offers Canadian students.
It fosters the development of crucial soft skills, including self-confidence, independence and intercultural competence. These skills are highly prized in the job market, especially by employers who have experienced international mobility themselves.
Consider these quotes from employers:
“One aspect that I believe international exposure fosters is the development of self-confidence and independence. It cultivates social skills through immersion in different cultures, significantly enhancing interpersonal abilities. I’ve noticed that individuals with international experience not only seek communication cues but also pay attention to non-verbal signals.”
“When I see international experience on the resume, those people are more likely to be adaptable to new environments, new challenges and stepping out of their comfort zone in places they haven’t visited before” Employers rank communication as the top-rated skill, followed by adaptability, problem-solving, teamwork and time- and self-management. Employers emphasised that these skills, often honed during international experiences, are critical for new hires.
