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International Students: Recruitment, Retention and Employment Integration . Metropolis 16 th National Conference Gatineau Quebec March 2014. Workshop Presenters. Topics. I nternational students who are pursuing employment and permanent immigration
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International Students: Recruitment, Retention and Employment Integration Metropolis 16th National Conference Gatineau Quebec March 2014
Topics International students who are pursuing employment and permanent immigration Update on recent immigration policies regarding international students, Strategies in higher education to support international students, Views of international students and their accompanying partners regarding employment and social integration.
Views of International Students Temporary sojourners Institutional revenue Problematic learners Problematic workers Problematic immigrants Homogeneous group Human capital Preferred immigrants
International Students: Did you know? .8 million in 1975; 3.7 million in 2009; 8 million by 2025 USA, UK, Germany, France, Australia are top destinations China and India are top source countries Malaysia, Singapore, China are emerging destinations Recruitment targets 5-25% >100,000 accepted in Canada in 2012 > 60% since 2004 Future increase of 2X International Education: A Key Driver of Canada’s Future Prosperity
International Students in Canada $8 billion to the Canadian economy, increased from $6.5 billion in 2008 2011 - $10 million investment in international education strategy over 2 years Increase recruitment 2X < 10 years 7% undergraduates; 20% graduates 1 in 5 IS in college or university previously attended a private or public secondary school iStudentCanadanew website for educational programs
Research Questions What helps or hinders international students to be successful in navigating the post-graduation transition to employment and permanent immigration? How does international student experience translate to a career (dis)advantage?
Education to Employment Research from Australia, Canada, United States, New Zealand Motivating factors to stay in destination countries Barriers within educational institutions Barriers in immigration policies Barriers in employer practices Barriers created by international students
Motivating Factors Employment opportunities Perceived market conditions Employment culture Gender norms in the workplace Work role opportunities Comparisons between home and host cultures
What they want... Services specific to international student needs Services specific to needs at graduation Information on immigration process Help with job search process Concrete help to access local labour market Better understanding of cultural nuances
Immigration Policies Doors open, doors shut Access to current information Help to know options Employers often not informed or misinformed
Employment Practices Lack of knowledge about international students as a highly educated source of employees Ethnocentrism in hiring policies and practices Bias regarding linguistic diversity and accents Investment in employment integration Assimilation versus integration of talent Need to document success stories
What International Students Can Do School then work Networking skills Learn about local cultural practices Build resources while a student Engage in work/volunteer experience programs Begin job search in advance of last semester Access available formal and informal support systems
Educational Institutions Increase discourse about career development/employability Work experience while in academic program Systematic efforts to engage international students by academic staff, advisors, mentors Connection with experienced students Job search skills and workplace norms Policies focused on recruitment versus employment Adequate staffing of support services
Recruitment, Retention, Employment and Social Integration Increase competition for international students International students have increasing choices about where to live and learn and where to pursue permanent immigration Our capacity to support social integration is critical for academic and employment success.