New Research Shows International Experience In Higher Ed Is Important For Career Success, But Many Students Recognize it Too ...
September 21 2016 - 10:54AM
Business Wire
New global research commissioned by Kaplan, one of the world’s
largest and most diverse education providers, and conducted by The
Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) shows that international
experience in higher education is an important factor improving the
chances of finding a job and succeeding in an increasingly global
workforce.
The research, which is based on a survey conducted by the (EIU)
among recent graduates from Australia, Brazil, China, France,
Germany, Italy, Singapore, the UK and the US, also shows that few
students recognize the value of overseas experience before
graduation. Many turn down opportunities to gain a more global
perspective offered by their educators. Graduates say international
work experience would have been helpful, but note it was not
frequently offered. In addition, the study found that international
preparedness is highly promoted in some countries, but less so in
others.
“Graduates with international experience tend to find employment
faster than those without it. Languages, intercultural awareness
and overseas contacts are highly valued by potential employers,”
said Andrew Rosen, Kaplan’s chief executive officer. “This research
seeks to understand how universities, companies and students
themselves can better prepare for the global workplace.”
The key findings of the survey are as follows:
- Graduates believe that institutions
of higher education have a responsibility to prepare them for
today’s global economy and workforce. Three out of four
respondents agree that it is part of the role of universities and
colleges to prepare them by offering access to international
experience. And almost as many (70%) feel that their higher
education has challenged their beliefs and exposed them to
different cultures and ways of thinking beyond their home
country.
- Most students have access to
international experiences during their studies, but only a minority
take advantage of them. Opportunities to gain international
experience during their studies were available to 75% of
respondents. Most (69%) were offered the chance to study overseas,
while 62% had access to foreign language courses and 55% to
international cultural exchanges. But only 34% of those with access
to international experience actually pursued it.
- Many students do not realize the
importance of international exposure until after graduation, when
its full value becomes clearer. Half of respondents feel that
they failed to recognize the value of international experience
during their studies, suggesting that higher education institutions
may need to help students recognize the benefits of
participation.
- International experience in higher
education is seen as improving the chances of finding a job.
More than twice as many people who were employed within six months
had international experience than those
still unemployed.
About the research
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) conducted a survey as part
of a global research effort into international experiences
available in higher education institutions and their impact on
employment. Of the 1,072 recent graduates who participated in the
survey, 10% were drawn from Australia, 8% from Brazil, 10% from
China, 10% from France, 10% from Germany, 11% from Italy, 10% from
Singapore, 11% from the UK and 21% from the US. They were born
between 1985 and 1993 and graduated between 2011 and 2016 with
either a bachelor’s or undergraduate degree (65%); a master’s
degree or equivalent (29%); a PhD or equivalent (4%); or another
professional degree (2%). Of those surveyed, 29% had studied
Humanities or Liberal Arts, 35% STEM (science, technology,
engineering or mathematics) subjects, 28% were pre-professional,
and 20% took vocational or career-focused studies. The online
survey was conducted in March 2016.
The EIU also conducted in-depth interviews with experts and
global employers in this area to provide a further dimension to the
broad research findings. We are grateful to the following for their
time and insights (listed alphabetically):
- Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, president,
National University of Singapore
- David Fairhurst, chief people officer,
McDonald’s
- Lynda Gratton, professor of management
practice, London Business School
- Nick Hillman, director, Higher
Education Policy Institute, Oxford
- Andre Martin, vice president for talent
development and chief learning officer, Nike, and formerly chief
learning officer, Mars
- Professor Enrico Sangiorgi, vice rector
for education, University of Bologna
- Juichi Yamagiwa, president of Kyoto
University
About Kaplan
Kaplan, Inc. is among the world’s largest, most diverse
education providers. Kaplan offers its one million-plus students
and thousands of business and institutional partners an array of
trans-national education services, including: higher education,
test preparation, professional training and certification,
English-language tutoring, and international university pathway
programs. Kaplan is the largest subsidiary of the Graham Holdings
Company (NYSE: GHC).
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Media:Brock Thatcher,
212-641-9885brock.thatcher@tvcgroup.com
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