CAREER CHOICES

Career Choices

Career Choices

Introduction

Background

As globalization increases, the increasing trend of students pursuing cross-national higher education is likely to continue. In recent years, English speaking nations such as Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom launched vigorous recruitment strategies to attract talented, mobile students from abroad. Although the United States historically has been a leading host country for students seeking international education, recent declines in the enrolment of international students have led governmental and academic institutions to implement proactive recruitment strategies to ensure that the U.S. remains competitive in the global market of higher education (Obst & Forster, 2005:41).

Research on international students generally focuses on acculturation and adjustment issues, and information on their career development is scant in the counselling literature. The prospect to expand their career opportunities at home or internationally is one of the major reasons for international students to decide to study abroad (Obst & Forster, 2005:78). However, although many international students express the need for assistance in their career decision-making, they seldom seek it through their university. Thus, in order to better serve this population it is critical counsellors gain an understanding of factors that influence international student career development.

Purpose of the research

The purpose of the study is to investigate the students of UEL (University Of East London) perception regarding the career choices affected by globalisation or not.

Research question

To what extent do UEL students (University Of East London) perceive their career choices as affected by globalisation?

Literature Review

Super (1990:6) developed the Archway of career determinants model to portray the biographical, psychological and socioeconomic factors in career choice and development. The archway consists of two columns, their capitals, and an arch that connects the two columns. The model conceptualizes that each component interacts with each other to influence the person's career decision. The biographical column includes personal needs, values, interests, intelligence, and aptitudes, with achievement and personality serving as the capital. The socioeconomic or geographical pillar represents the economy, society, labour market, community, school, family, and peer group, which influence current employment practices and social policy. The arch of the model symbolizes one's career including developmental stages, role self-concepts, and the self. The two columns and capitals illustrate that career decisions are influenced by both individual and environmental factors. Successful career transition and decision-making are facilitated by helping the person to gain a better understanding of the effects of all the determinants of her or his career (Super, 1990:49).

In addition to common career transition challenges experienced by domestic students, international students encounter unique challenges such as communication and acculturation issues. These issues affect international students making successful career transitions, and thus, it is vital that counsellors understand these factors.

The career development of international students is affected by the geographical and socioeconomic factors of their home and host countries. Economic gaps between the two countries can affect choice of university and career decisions. For example, students from less affluent nations are likely to select universities with more affordable tuition and financial ...