Work opportunities in India for foreign-degree holders

There is a substantial increase of international students from India each year. This has resulted in a significant presence of Indian students in renowned study abroad destinations such as the US, Australia, Canada, UK, and New Zealand. This trend has generated work opportunities in India for foreign-degree holders.

This Story also Contains

1. What makes Indian students study abroad?
2. Challenges and work opportunities in India for foreign-degree holders
3. Advantages of a foreign degree
4. Work opportunities in India for foreign-degree holders: Obstacles

What makes Indian students study abroad?

Lack of capacity and quality are the major reasons why Indian students are increasingly choosing to go abroad for higher studies. Competition for a seat at the premium institutes, which are only a handful, is such that many deserving candidates bite the dust. Studying in a foreign university, on the other hand, offers not just a chance to explore a quality academic environment but also widen one’s experience through exposure to diverse campus life.

Another major factor here is the opportunities that open up for foreign graduates in the job sector. “There are multiple benefits; one of them being there is an enhancement in your earning potential. A foreign degree from a good university makes your CV stand out,” says Ruhi Kandhari, who studied abroad.

Challenges and work opportunities in India for foreign-degree holders

Many students who go abroad for studies also plan to stay back and work there after completing their studies. But sadly, it doesn’t always turn out that way, because some countries have tight visa rules. Consequently, many students are forced to return and search for job opportunities in India after studying abroad. Sometimes, the prospect of a good job in India makes them go back home. So, it is important to do research on what type of job opportunities in India for foreigners are available; what kind of advantages these degree holders enjoy and also what are their challenges.

Advantages of a foreign degree

Employers view students with foreign degree favorably as their college curriculum is believed to be more in sync with the needs of the industry. “While most Indian institutes fail to reinforce the relationship of the course with the job, foreign universities focus on providing a skill set to the students,” says Kanika Marwah, Director of University Options, an education counseling service. For example, the University of Warwick offers a course called MORSE (Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics), which prepares students in four different disciplines, thereby increasing the employability of the student because of the skills the course has provided.

In addition to having the ability to solve real-world problems, foreign-educated students show better communication skills and critical thinking ability and typically have better subject knowledge, assets that are increasingly valued by most companies. Foreign educated Indian students also display a greater level of confidence, better adaptability and possess a global perspective.

Most importantly, they are considered to be job ready, which helps companies to cut down costs otherwise they would spend on training a new recruit. “Skills that are gained through part-time work are extremely valuable and reflect the pro-activeness of the student,” says Karyn Kent, CEO of StudyAdelaide. All these positive traits are likely to boost job opportunities in India for foreigners.

List of scholarships to study abroad by country

• Scholarships to study in UK
• Scholarships to Study in Canada
• Scholarships to study in Australia
• Scholarships to study in Germany

Top destinations

If you study in the USA or UK, you have a better chance of landing a job. So, while two students may have the same degree, depending on where they earned those degrees Indian companies may judge them differently when making a job offer. It is imperative, hence, for students eyeing for better work opportunities to pick their study-abroad destination as well as university judiciously. Most universities abroad have placement data and students should contact the admission personnel at the university to know more about the placement details of the course from the university where they wish to study.

Work opportunities in India for foreign-degree holders: Obstacles

Typically, a large number of foreign-degree holders seeking job opportunities in India after studying abroad are from top institutes, which gives companies a vast pool of quality resources to choose from. This in turn decreases the chances of graduates from lower-ranked institutes, who are forced to compromise on their salary and even job content.

Other reasons why companies aren’t hiring foreign-educated graduates:

• Foreign-degree holders demand job content and fast career growth and other such unrealistic expectations

• They also expect higher salaries than their Indian peers.

These are some of the factors that act as obstacles to a foreign-degree holder seeking a job in India, and one should therefore modify one’s expectations according to the market’s response. They can also try the internship route to fill skill gaps that exist in almost all companies. It may ultimately lead to a permanent position and they may find a job matching their skills.

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