European and U.S. institutions have promoted the value of a study abroad experience for many years. As Australian higher education institutions have adopted policies and strategies to increase participation in education abroad, with employability as a central argument, it is important to study this claim. This dissertation examined the links between a study abroad experience and early career outcomes for recent graduates from Australian higher education, with a particular focus on the impact of the following factors: country of study, duration, program type and foreign language acquisition. While the study is set within the Australian higher education and graduate employment context, it contributes to the growing body of literature on the value of study abroad to participants, educational institutions, employers and society in general. Becker's (1993) human capital theory and McMahon and Oketch's (2013) expanded concepts of the private and social benefits of higher education provide the conceptual framework for the study, informed by thinking on connections between higher education and the world of work (Brennon, Kogan & Teichler, 1996). A survey of alumni perceptions was based on the European Graduate Surveys (see Teichler, 2011; Teichler & Janson, 2007). Personal background, study and employment information provided important contextual frames through which the data were analyzed.After working for an average of three years, respondents (N=226), the majority of whom had studied abroad for a semester or more, perceived that study abroad was relevant and beneficial to their early career experience. While respondents rated personal and developmental benefits more highly, important career-related benefits including career direction, securing their first job and long-term career prospects, were also identified. General international skills and knowledge as a benefit of study abroad outweighed country or region-specific knowledge or skills. In terms of program parameters, respondents reported higher career benefits for studying abroad in another language, studying abroad multiple times, and undertaking study abroad as a compulsory component of a bachelor degree. This study revealed previously unexplored patterns of international experience prior to university, indicating that a small group of respondents had already developed significant international career capital (Inkson & Arthur, 2001) through multiple international experiences. This finding is of particular interest for policy discussions that prioritize career outcomes.The findings of this paper have implications for policy and practice in the development of employability skills, the education of employers on the benefits of study abroad, access to study abroad, catering for students with diverse needs in terms of study abroad programs and career goals, and balancing specific geographic policy priorities against general participation goals. This study contributes to our understanding of study abroad outcomes for Australian students and highlights the need for further research in this area.
Read
