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Career development influences of international students who pursue permanent immigration to Canada

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Abstract

This research focused on the career decision and planning needs of a unique group of migrants: international students who are completing their studies as temporary immigrants and who are embarking on the career journey of employment and permanent immigration. A semi-structured interview employing a Critical Incident Technique was used to assess the career influences of 19 undergraduate and graduate international students at a Canadian university. Data were analyzed using a constant comparison method and critical incident protocol. Students were motivated to remain in Canada due to enhanced job opportunities and high standard of living. Barriers to migration included the fear of not securing employment and cultural and linguistic barriers. International students would like to see campus and career services specified to the needs of international and graduate students to help them realize their goal of pursuing employment as the key to permanent immigration.

Résumé. Les influences du développement de carrière des étudiants internationaux qui recherche à immigrer de manière permanente au Canada

Les étudiants étrangers qui terminent leurs études en tant qu’immigrants temporaires et qui se lancent dans leur carrière professionnelle et dans l’immigration permanente représentent un groupe unique de migrants qui ont des besoins particuliers en ce qui concerne les choix professionnels et la planification de carrière. Une entretien semi-structuré utilisant une Technique des Incidents Critiques a été utilisée pour évaluer l’influence de carrière de 19 étudiants internationaux de premier et de deuxième cycle dans une université de l’ouest du Canada. Les données ont été analysées en utilisant une comparaison constante et un protocole d’incident critique. Les étudiants étaient motivés à rester au Canada au vu des bonnes opportunités d’emploi ainsi que du haut niveau de vie. Les obstacles à la migration comprenait la peur de ne pas obtenir un emploi et les barrières culturelles et linguistiques. Les étudiants internationaux aimeraient voir apparaître des services du campus et d’orientation spécifiques aux besoins des étudiants internationaux et de deuxième cycle afin de les aider à réaliser leur objectif d’obtenir un emploi puisque c’est la clé d’une immigration permanente.

Zusammenfassung. Einflüsse auf die Karriereentwicklung von internationalen Studierenden, die eine dauerhafte Zuwanderung nach Kanada anstreben

Internationale Studierende, die ihr Studium als temporäre Einwanderer abschließen und den Karriereweg der Beschäftigung und dauerhaften Zuwanderung angehen, stellen eine einzigartige Gruppe von Migranten mit besonderen Bedürfnissen der beruflichen Entscheidung und Planung dar. Ein semi-strukturiertes Interview unter Verwendung einer Critical Incident Technik wurde verwendet, um die Einflüsse auf die Karriereentwicklung von 19 internationalen Studierenden und Doktorierenden an einer Universität im Westen Kanadas zu erheben. Die Daten wurden mit Hilfe eines konstanten Vergleichs und Critical Incident-Protokolls analysiert. Studierende waren durch verbesserte Beschäftigungsmöglichkeiten und hohen Lebensstandard motiviert, in Kanada zu bleiben. Hindernisse für die Migration beinhalteten die Angst, keine Beschäftigung zu finden sowie kulturelle und sprachliche Barrieren. Internationale Studierende möchten gerne Campus und Career Service-Dienstleistungen, die auf die Bedürfnisse der internationalen Studierenden und Doktoranden spezifiziert sind, um ihnen zu helfen, ihr Ziel des Strebens nach Beschäftigung als Schlüssel für die dauerhafte Zuwanderung zu verwirklichen.

Resumen. Las influencias del desarrollo profesional de estudiantes internacionales en búsqueda de una migración permanente en Canadá

Esta investigación se focaliza sobre la orientación profesional y el plan de carrera de un grupo único: estudiantes internacionales que están completando sus estudios como inmigrantes temporales y que se están embarcando en el camino profesional del empleo y la migración permanente. Une entrevista semi-estructurada utilizando la Técnica de Incidente Critico fue utilizada para evaluar las influencias profesionales de 19 estudiantes de pre-grado y post-grado en una Universidad Canadiense. Los datos fueron analizados gracias al método de Comparación Contante y al Protocolo de Incidente Critico. La motivación de los estudiantes para radicarse en Canadá se basaba en las oportunidades de empleo y las buenas condiciones de vida. Las barreras de inmigración incluían el miedo hacia la falta de empleo seguro y hacia la presencia de barreras culturales y lingüísticas. Los estudiantes internacionales quisieran obtener servicios de campus et de orientación profesional específicos a las necesidades de estudiantes internacionales de post-grado con el objetivo de ayudarles a alcanzar su meta de búsqueda de trabajo como la clave para la inmigración permanente.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Educational Studies in Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive N.W., Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada

    Nancy Arthur & Sarah Flynn

Authors
  1. Nancy Arthur
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  2. Sarah Flynn
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Correspondence to Nancy Arthur.

Appendix

Appendix

Interview questions:

  1. 1.

    What has prompted you to consider staying in Canada after graduation?

  2. 2.

    What influenced your decision to consider staying in Canada after graduation?

  3. 3.

    Who influenced your decision to consider staying in Canada after graduation?

  4. 4.

    What career goals can you meet (or more easily meet) in Canada that you cannot meet in your home country?

  5. 5.

    What have you done to plan for employment in Canada/immigration to Canada?

  6. 6.

    Describe any barriers that you have experienced in the process of deciding to stay in Canada.

  7. 7.

    Describe what has been helpful in making the decision to stay in Canada.

  8. 8.

    What has been your experience with seeking employment in Canada?

  9. 9.

    What support do you think that campus services could offer to help other international students with the decision to pursue employment and immigration to Canada?

  10. 10.

    Describe any concerns or fears you have about deciding to stay in Canada.

  11. 11.

    How will you know this was a good decision for yourself and/or for your family?

  12. 12.

    What or who, would you say, had the greatest influence on your decision to stay in Canada?

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Arthur, N., Flynn, S. Career development influences of international students who pursue permanent immigration to Canada. Int J Educ Vocat Guidance 11, 221–237 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-011-9212-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-011-9212-5

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