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This qualitative study explores how 15 international graduates from Chinese universities negotiated employability in China. Employing Bourdieu’s cultural theory, Tomlinson’s graduate capital model, and Pham’s employability agency framework, the study reveals that these graduates strategically developed various forms of capital to navigate the Chinese labor market. The findings emphasize the need for collaborative support from stakeholders to help international students in China develop and utilize employability capital effectively during and after their studies.
In recent years, there has been increasing focus on the employability of graduates in relation to vocational development, as well as the international mobility of students in higher education. International Graduate Employability (IGE) has emerged as a significant indicator of educational quality, with attention from educators and policymakers. While existing research has predominantly examined graduates from developed countries, little is known about the employability of international students in China, despite a growing number of them enrolling in Chinese universities. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating how international graduates in China enhance their employability and navigate vocational development. Specifically, it explores how they utilize different forms of capital and exercise agency to improve their prospects in the labor market. The research is crucial for understanding international higher education dynamics and graduate employability, offering insights into the experiences of international students post-graduation from Chinese universities and shedding light on factors influencing their transitions into the workforce in China. This study lays the groundwork for future research in preparing international students for employment in diverse contexts. The article provides a review of relevant literature, theoretical frameworks, methodology, findings, and discussions, concluding with suggestions for future research directions.
The concept of employability is approached from diverse theoretical angles, with sociological perspectives highlighting its contextual and relational nature. Contextual factors such as job market conditions and personal circumstances significantly influence one’s employability. While some emphasize individual career management skills, others stress the need for graduates to develop various forms of capital, including social networks and cultural understanding. Research on international graduates’ employability in countries like Australia and the UK underscores challenges related to permanent residence status, social networks, and cultural adaptation. Similarly, studies on returnees reveal obstacles such as unfamiliarity with local job markets and reverse culture shock. Successful employability negotiation involves not only possessing resources and skills but also exercising agency to adapt to changing contexts and connect educational experiences with career goals. While Western countries have seen increased attention to the role of capital in employability, there’s a gap in understanding how international graduates in China develop and utilize these resources.
This study explores the complexities of international graduates’ employability in China by integrating various theoretical frameworks. Drawing from Bourdieu’s cultural theory, it emphasizes the significance of cultural capital, comprising institutionalized and embodied values. However, marginalized groups often face challenges in having their embodied values recognized by mainstream stakeholders. Further research highlights the importance of different forms of capital in employability, including human, cultural, social, identity, and psychological capitals, as proposed in Tomlinson’s Graduate Capital Model (GCM). Tomlinson defines social capital as the relationships that influence employability, cultural capital as culturally valued knowledge aligned with workplaces, identity capital as personal investment in career development, and psychological capital as capabilities supporting graduates in overcoming challenges. Additionally, the study incorporates the Employability Agency Framework to consider students’ agency in navigating the labor market, providing a more comprehensive understanding of employability and its influencing factors.
This research investigates the employability of international graduates in the Chinese job market and their vocational development in developing nations. The study uncovers that international graduates employ various forms of capital, like human, social, identity, and cultural, to succeed in the Chinese labor market. While some adeptly utilize these resources during their studies to enhance their job prospects, others struggle to apply them effectively in the workplace. Social capital, particularly networking, proves vital for many graduates, while language skills, especially English, are crucial for employability. Additionally, psychological capital, such as resilience and adaptability, plays a significant role in overcoming challenges. Identity capital, encompassing personal skills and foreigner status, also influences employment opportunities, particularly in China’s evolving economy. Ultimately, graduates with strong agency, leveraging diverse forms of capital, demonstrate better adaptability and success in navigating the Chinese job market.
This study examines how international graduates from Chinese universities navigate the Chinese job market by analyzing their developed capital types. Results indicate that many international graduates cultivate diverse capitals to enhance their employability in China. However, they must shape their agency to strategically adapt to the Chinese labor market. Certain capitals, such as identity, may have unique implications in China compared to other countries. The study suggests that international students aiming to work in China should strategically develop various capitals, understand the Chinese labor market, and Chinese employers should offer more internships to facilitate mutual understanding. Furthermore, universities should enhance employment training for international students, recognizing their value in both Chinese and international job markets. While this study lays the groundwork for understanding international students’ adaptation in China, future research should explore how different educational systems prepare international graduates for career advancement, considering factors like subject of study, language, cultural differences, and policies.
Source:
(2024) Graduate employability and international education: an exploration of foreign students’ experiences in China, Higher Education Research & Development, DOI: 10.1080/07294360.2024.2325155