What employers really value in students who study abroad

In a world that’s becoming increasingly interconnected, preparing young minds for the global job market is paramount. A new report titled Closing the Employer Gap on Global Skills Gained Through Mobility, based on research funded by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), administered by Colleges and Institutes Canada, and Nova Scotia Community College, tries to tackle this issue.

The report focuses on looking into the real-world impact of studying abroad on career prospects of Canadian 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 approach used by Expertise in Labour Mobility (ELM), which conducted the employer survey and wrote the final report, involved semi-structured interviews, creating a balance between gathering consistent information and delving deep into insights.

Through engaging with employers spanning various industries across the country, 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.” – Catherine McBride

“When I see international travel gap years or 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. You know, getting into all sorts of scenarios. So yeah, definitely positive to see.” – Tereza Cairns

“International experience helps in understanding global issues. It provides you with a lens to understand different people and different needs. It teaches self-awareness and open-mindedness. It enhances people skills.” – Binu Saradakutty

Despite these clear benefits, the report highlights that simply having international experience is not enough in itself. Graduates must be open to demonstrating how their experiences have created skills relevant to their prospective job roles.

Showcasing skills

The interviews conducted by ELM as part of the report 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.

The report also finds that employers prioritise ‘potential’ capabilities over ‘proven’ capabilities for recent graduates. This aligns with the finding that soft skills, which can be cultivated through international mobility, are more critical than hard skills, which can be trained on the job.

One of the standout takeaways from the report is the importance of teaching students how to effectively showcase the skills gained during their international experiences. This can be achieved through well-crafted written applications and during job interviews. The ability to clearly present the skill can significantly enhance a graduate’s employability.

An earlier literature review conducted by ELM for Colleges and Institutes Canada and Universities Canada supports this, highlighting that international mobility experiences contribute to the development of skills essential for the future workforce. These include intercultural competence, adaptability, self-confidence and self-awareness, which are crucial for working in diverse teams and navigating global markets.

Canadian employers also value interpersonal skills and social responsibility. Graduates with international experience who have engaged in community tasks or voluntary work are seen as more adaptable and capable of positively contributing to the workplace.

Alignment of skills with expectations

The report concludes that aligning the skills gained through international mobility with employer expectations can significantly enhance the employability of Canadian graduates. By increasing the number of graduates with international experience, Canada can develop a more skilled and globally aware workforce, ultimately benefiting the economy.

For higher education institutions, the report underscores the need to provide guidance to students on how to competently demonstrate the skills gained through international experiences. This support can help bridge the gap between education and employment, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to meet the demands of the job market.

For those seeking a deeper understanding of these findings and their implications, the full report offers a comprehensive analysis and valuable recommendations for both educators and employers.

Melanie Siegfried is junior project manager at Expertise in Labour Mobility; Kellie McMullin is manager for international learning (outbound) at Nova Scotia Community College International and Nannette Ripmeester is director of performance benchmarking, Europe and North America, at Expertise in Labour Mobility.

This Innovation Fund project is funded by Global Skills Opportunity, the government of Canada’s outbound student mobility pilot programme. Global Skills Opportunity, administered jointly by Colleges and Institutes Canada and Universities Canada, is a key component of the government of Canada’s International Education Strategy and is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada.

This article is a commentary. Commentary articles are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of University World News.