Think Broad: Work Abroad

Those of you who have made international friends at University must be familiar with the story. Three years of sweet fun (and a bit of studying) are unavoidably followed by bitter goodbyes to those friends who have landed an international job or are moving abroad upon graduation. And while this means that you now have an excuse to visit countries all over the world (hotel-free no less), it also hints at our generation’s thirst for exploring different cultures and the appeal of working abroad. Recruiters and employers call it “global mobility”. I call it the ‘Generation Y’ effect – (anyone born between the 80s & 90s, entering the workforce from the start of the 2000s).

Recently, I read an article in the Guardian that depicted all Generation Y as young people who are increasingly egoistic and care about nothing but self-interests, their own professional progression & development. We are (according to the same author) considerably more interested in our next career move than in climbing up the corporate ladder, and do not stay in a job for more than 2-3 years.

It is reviews like that that make me think about what is really that special about our Generation and how are we that different from older generations. Yes, my father started working straight after University and stayed at the same company for 30 years going through the ranks. Would I see myself doing that? Probably not. But when I do look ahead in my career, it’s not words like “security” or “pension fund” that spring to mind.

I want to see global opportunities, new experiences, new people and learn new skills!

So, why settle? In an era of new opportunities generated by social media […] You have to always strive for more!

So here are my top reasons why you should consider a job abroad:

• Brazil is the world’s second-biggest emerging market & Finance, IT and Engineering are areas in big demand (the Government has even increased the number of work permits allocated to international workers) AND 30 days of annual holiday leave (compared to the 15 holiday days you get in the US!)
• The chances for UK students to get a job in Finland are quite positive with the country currently experiencing skills shortages, especially in healthcare – plus Finnish standard of living is one of the highest in the world!
• More than three-quarters of the United Arab Emirates workforce is expatriate, which makes this the perfect place to find a job in either the very popular Petroleum & Construction industries or the emerging industries such as Tourism, Hospitality & Healthcare – and as a bonus, you get to enjoy the beaches after a day at work.