Although studying abroad in India is considered a safe path to professional success, research shows that finding a job after returning home can be a major challenge, the company said.
Data from India’s Ministry of Education shows that 750,365 Indian students went abroad to study in 2022, according to Hindustan Times – 68% increase compared to 2021 figure of 444,553.
“It is our responsibility to provide the resources, guidance and support students need to succeed in their careers”
However, the MSM cited a government report as saying that only 22% of Indian students who studied abroad between 2015 and 2019 were able to secure a professional position upon returning home.
Sanjay Laul, CEO and founder of MSM, emphasized that students “need to be aware of the potential problems they may face when they return home.”
“As stakeholders in international education, it is our responsibility to provide students with the resources, guidance and support they need to succeed in their careers,” he said.
“This can include developing partnerships with local employers, promoting cross-cultural communication and understanding, and fostering alumni networks to help students build their professional links.” he added.
“By working together, we can ensure that studying abroad remains a valuable and enriching experience for students, both during and after their studies.”
One obstacle is the lack of recognition of foreign degrees and diplomas in the national labor market, coupled with the “ambivalence” of Indian employers towards internationally educated Indian graduates, who often prefer to hire people with Indian education.
The pandemic has led some businesses to lean towards choosing local applicants due to travel restrictions and public health concerns, and has also led to companies cutting back on hiring.
“A few or many Indians end up taking or enrolling in shoddy courses that probably have no future,” Adarsh Khandelwal, CEO of education company Collegify, told The PIE.
“A third of the students we advise are only random in terms of decision-making; country, course etc… agents mislead them.
“They are told they can support themselves with part-time jobs and even get scholarships. A lot of them come from the middle class with fat loans that don’t even report. Also, when they go back on heavy loans, they start from a very low package or may not find a suitable or sustainable job,” he added.
Stakeholders often encouraged students to gain internships or part-time work experience during their studies to increase their employability, as well as to use careers guidance services, mentoring programs and alumni networks to create work links.
However, as more MNCs increase their presence in India, students studying abroad will get more opportunities to work at home, according to Karan Gupta, career advisor and head of KGC.
“When these students come with work experience after studying abroad, they are better positioned to get meaningful work in India,” he told The PIE.
“Finally, private companies in India value students who bring cultural diversity to the workplace, and students who study abroad have this distinct advantage. In order to work in government companies, students should get their foreign degrees evaluated by accrediting bodies in India.
