Experiences in finding employment in Oulu region as experienced by international degree students
Christoforou, Evagoras (2022)
2022
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2022121930978
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2022121930978
Tiivistelmä
The shortage of workforce due to the aging Finnish population as well as the decreasing birth rate, increase the demand for Finland to attract skilled foreign workforce. International students can be an asset for companies and deliver added value to their efforts to expand their operations internationally, something that companies need to better recognize.
The purpose of this thesis was to explore the experiences of international degree students, when searching for employment in Oulu region. This thesis is provided by the project Oulu Talent Hub. The objectives of this thesis were to examine factors affecting the employment of international students in Oulu region and their accomplishments and challenges in the process.
This thesis is a case study focusing on the experience point of view and the research focuses on the experiences of university-level students with international background in seeking employment in Oulu region. Qualitative research method was used in this thesis and the research data were collected by conducting semi-structured focus group interviews. Focus group interviews included international students and graduates from business, education, and computer science field. Collected data from focus group interviews were analysed by using thematising.
As the results of this study demonstrate own motivation, being active and persistent in job seeking and establishing own personal and professional networks are factors affecting the employment of international students regardless the field of study. However, based on the findings, Finnish language skills are of a great importance among interviewees from business field and education field. The situation is different in computer science sector in which Finnish language skills is not usually a requirement but instead being fluent in English is needed. Furthermore, as it emerged from the findings, discrimination among employers towards foreign employees is another factor affecting the employment of international students in Oulu region.
To overcome those challenges international students should put more effort in learning the language, start planning their career and establish networks already in the beginning of their studies. At the same time, higher education institutions should continue participating in projects such as Oulu Talent Hub, that provide the opportunity to international students to boost their job-seeking skills, establish professional networks and find internship places. Companies should also realize the benefits from hiring high-skilled international students and offer them opportunities to improve their Finnish language skills. To conclude, more development ideas are discussed in this thesis.
The purpose of this thesis was to explore the experiences of international degree students, when searching for employment in Oulu region. This thesis is provided by the project Oulu Talent Hub. The objectives of this thesis were to examine factors affecting the employment of international students in Oulu region and their accomplishments and challenges in the process.
This thesis is a case study focusing on the experience point of view and the research focuses on the experiences of university-level students with international background in seeking employment in Oulu region. Qualitative research method was used in this thesis and the research data were collected by conducting semi-structured focus group interviews. Focus group interviews included international students and graduates from business, education, and computer science field. Collected data from focus group interviews were analysed by using thematising.
As the results of this study demonstrate own motivation, being active and persistent in job seeking and establishing own personal and professional networks are factors affecting the employment of international students regardless the field of study. However, based on the findings, Finnish language skills are of a great importance among interviewees from business field and education field. The situation is different in computer science sector in which Finnish language skills is not usually a requirement but instead being fluent in English is needed. Furthermore, as it emerged from the findings, discrimination among employers towards foreign employees is another factor affecting the employment of international students in Oulu region.
To overcome those challenges international students should put more effort in learning the language, start planning their career and establish networks already in the beginning of their studies. At the same time, higher education institutions should continue participating in projects such as Oulu Talent Hub, that provide the opportunity to international students to boost their job-seeking skills, establish professional networks and find internship places. Companies should also realize the benefits from hiring high-skilled international students and offer them opportunities to improve their Finnish language skills. To conclude, more development ideas are discussed in this thesis.