As an Indian student studying abroad, it is vital to proactively work on improving your employability throughout your academic journey. This can be done by seeking practical experience in the country of interest, whether through internships or part-time jobs.
Networking with fellow students is also key, attending industry talks and other events to gain insight into various fields of interest can open a range of opportunities. Studying abroad provides a great opportunity to pick up additional skills for students such as language proficiency, giving you the edge over other applicants when it comes to job search or further studies in another country.
With that being said, here are the 5 ways to improve employability while studying abroad.
1. Network With Like- Minded Professionals
Pursuing education abroad can be a rewarding and life-changing experience, but it is important to remember the practical impact it can have on your career. Networking with like-minded professionals is an excellent way for students to improve their employability while studying abroad. It allows them to learn from experienced members of their field and make valuable industry connections that can shape the course of their future careers.
It also offers the opportunity to gain insights into job market trends and see how international perspectives of their profession may differ from the ones they are used to in their home country. Understanding networking etiquette, such as online presence, business cards, and attending events will give students the best chance of creating strong relationships with industry professionals during their time abroad.
2. Showcase Yourself by Building Your Portfolio
Showcasing skills and attributes is a crucial part of any job search, especially when studying abroad. Building and maintaining an up-to-date portfolio is the perfect way to highlight strengths, skills, and accomplishments in the most impactful way.
A strong portfolio can be a valuable asset in improving employability prospects and giving applicants an edge over their competition. It is also beneficial for keeping track of progress and development when starting as well as being ready for future career opportunities. Investing time in creating a portfolio pays off and demonstrates a commitment to self-improvement which leads to becoming more competitive in today’s work environment.
What to Put in a Portfolio
There are likely projects or deliverables from years past that could be included. Your hard work should not go unnoticed, make an effort to build up a showcase of success in which employers can see what great things you’ve achieved. Items you can include in your portfolio:
- Resume or CV
- Certificates and transcripts from post high school achievements
- Referals, awards, feedbacks and recommendations
- Work samples
- Performance appraisals
- Samples of work
- Website if any
- Appreciation letters or emails from employers or co-workers
3. Establishing Work Experience
Establishing work experience while studying abroad is a fantastic way to improve one’s employability and equip oneself with transferable skills upon return home or finding another job. Ways to go about it include volunteering, internships, teaching English, and many others.
Each of these activities can help build soft skills such as communication and team working, as well as building valuable industry knowledge that is applicable in any context.
Employers will admire the determination of anyone who has taken on such activity while still studying. As such, investing in an experience abroad is an excellent proposition regardless of the career prospects.
4. Participating in Applied Learning Week
Participating in Applied Learning Week is a great opportunity for students to gain practical knowledge and experience that could help enhance their employability while studying abroad. The development of soft skills such as communication, collaboration, and problem-solving is also important regardless of one’s field of study, as employers are increasingly looking for personnel who can thrive in an ever-changing work environment.
By taking every learning opportunity that arises through Applied Learning Week, students can return home or find a job with a wealth of knowledge and practical experience that will make all the difference for a successful future.
5. Acquire Competency by Developing Transferable Skills
Studying abroad is an exciting and potentially life-changing experience. As with any period of learning and growth, those who take advantage of the opportunity to immerse themselves in a different culture are presented with many new and varied opportunities to develop competency.
Ways to improve your employability while studying abroad involve specifically seeking out relevant work placements, honing in on soft skills such as communication and interpersonal relationships, expanding one’s ability to manage multi-cultural situations and contexts, or developing transferable skills that can be applied in a range of different settings.
Not all learning must come from the lecture hall. By taking steps to increase your employability during your time overseas you can greatly enhance your future prospects.
To maximize the opportunity studying abroad provides, students need to be proactive in improving their employability. This can be done through gaining practical experience in the country of interest, whether through internships or part-time jobs.
Networking with fellow students and attending industry talks and other events can open up a range of opportunities. Studying abroad also allows students to pick up additional skills such as language proficiency, giving them the edge over other applicants when it comes to job searches or further studies in another country. By following these five tips, students can make the most out of their time studying abroad and improve their employability prospects.
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