Overseas students ‘concerned by employment prospects’

23 Jul 2012, 6:08 pm   -   Source: Luke Waters, SBS
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A lack of work experience opportunities and the strong Australian dollar is forcing some international students to re-think studying in Australia, some experts believe.

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A lack of work experience opportunities and the strong Australian dollar is forcing some international students to re-think studying in Australia, some experts believe.

Vietnamese-born Catherine Nguyen says gaining industry experience is almost as important as the degree itself.

“For me, if I’m forced to go home without any work experience in Australia, I would feel that my degree has not been fulfilled as much as I would have wanted.”

Professor Jill Blackmore, from Deakin University, says students come to study in Australia with certain expectations that they will gain employment, “particularly if they come in a skill shortage area that is named by the federal government, but that isn’t always the case.

The overseas student market is estimated to contribute around $15.7 billion to the Australian economy.  

 

Overseas Students

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Your Comments

Skill shortage = Con..................

Robert - from NSW, 7 months ago

I find these days companies are unwilling to train/mentor workers and if you are a minority group in Australia you are disadvantaged more so. My son has been educated in Australia and is working but has applied for hundreds of jobs in his chosen field Engineering but cant even get a foot in the door to even get experience. The last job he applied for he was basically told that " Its hard enough for a born and bred local to get a job in this industry let alone someone from a Asian background "

Worked with international students

John - from Melbourne, 11 months ago

I worked in the education industry I can understand how hard this can be for international students. Students like Catherine can do programs such as the professional year when they have finish their studies that help them get started in the Australian workforce(ie:get an internship,get them going to CPA events so they can network&find jobs in other ways).This helps those who have studied Accounting, IT or Engineering but it is still hard for students who have studied in other fields to find work

Opinion

Graduated International Student - from Melbourne, 11 months ago

I agree with Catherine Nguyen and Professor Jill Blackmore. It is very true indeed. When students first arrive in Australia, there were hopes of gaining some work experiences during or upon completion of their studies. However, many students can't find work experiences, even in the identified skill shortage areas. As a result, many students end up going back to their home country with disappointments.

Fake boom and skill shortage

jsm - from Perth, 11 months ago

''Fake boom and skill shortage'' real estate mafiya backed by the government misguiding international students and migrants to come and spent money then go back, even with high qualification and international experience will not help to find a job in australia due to uncontrollable factors like racism and harrasment.

Focus on who are here now.

Thomas - from Melbourne, 11 months ago

Maybe we should focus more on the students that are here at the moment, cheaper fees would be a good start for the future of our country.

Assuredly it's not the "quality" of our Universities so lauded by educators

Mona - from Australia, 11 months ago

So what they are saying is that the the overseas student market is really just backdoor immigration for those that can afford it and we allow it because it's worth around $15.7 billion to the Australian economy. So let them study here, then work here, give them work visas, then give them permanent residency, take their money. At least be honest about why any student would want to study here. Maybe the Afghan refugees, instead of paying boat people ought to enquire about a study course.

jobs in sydney= nightmare

dsw - from sydney, 11 months ago

forget about getting jobs in australia after graduation. racism, work harrasment...

Too true

chrisw - from vic, 11 months ago

This is very true, a Degree is just a piece of paper to employers these days, it's only experience in the workplace that matters. Australia promotes itself as the land of milk and honey to every country in the world, hence causing false expectations to International students and foreigners wanting to start a new life here. University's only care about the money they will get, not what happens to students when they have finished their course.

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