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The global outlook you have as an international student is often appealing to employers, and along with your degree you’ll have a lot to offer. While you studied abroad you may have even worked part-time depending on your visa restrictions and gained some experience in the area you want to pursue.
As your graduation gets nearer you’ll need to consider what your job opportunities are after studying abroad; whether you want to continue your studies, stay and work, or find a job back in your home country.
International student career support
Universities often have dedicated services to help their students with careers, including those from overseas. Throughout the year workshops are held to provide students with new skills, or to help with CVs, interviews, and specific career advice. It’s important to make use of any services like this, especially as universities are well connected across the fields they teach and can often put you in touch with contacts.
If you have a specific career in mind, it’s important to understand the pathways that can get you there. Consider if you need to arrange for work experience, or an internship, or specific areas of study within your program. It could also be of benefit if you have been part of a relevant group or society linked to your career aspirations.
Returning to your home country
You may be returning to your home country with a job offer, or will be looking for work. A benefit of returning home to find work is that it’s a system you’re familiar with, and you’ll understand your rights as an employee. It also means you won’t need to arrange for a new visa.
Your time studying abroad is likely to enhance your career by impressing employers, highlighting your English language skills, independence, and outgoing attitude.
Working in your study country
If you want job opportunities in your study abroad country, then it’s important to start planning for it in advance. The visa restrictions for your student visa are unlikely to allow you to stay in the country to work full time when your course finishes, so you’ll have to arrange for a new type of visa.
It is possible that you will be denied a visa to stay in your study country for work. This can be due to certain country’s restrictions on work visas depending on skills and finances needed.
When you’re looking for work in your study country it’s important to research your employment rights as an international worker. Your university’s career services will be able to help you with this information, so make sure you make use of their support before you graduate.
Continuing your studies
You may decide that upon completion of your degree you want to learn more about your field of study and gain an additional qualification. If you’re looking for a career in academia then this is a logical step to take. Your university can help arrange for your enrollment on a new course, otherwise you’ll need to start applying for other universities.
If you’re remaining in the same country this may require you to extend your current student visa status which your university can help with. If you’re changing country then you’ll need to ensure you apply at the right time for intake and arrange your a new student visa in plenty of time.
