Supporting the career development of Indian international students

The province of Ontario is a leading destination for Indian international students. They often arrive with grand expectations of the “Canadian Dream.” However, their journeys do not follow a seamless path from graduation to finding work. Research studies tracking employment outcomes of international students in Canada indicate that despite attaining Canadian credentials, they often struggle to secure meaningful employment that matches their qualifications. The obstacles to finding commensurate work range from cultural adaptability, lack of professional networks, and on occasions inadequate support from the career centres.  

The role of social cognitive career theory 

The Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) offers a potent avenue to navigate these obstacles. SCCT explains how a student’s personal, environmental and behavioural factors interact to shape career decisions and outcomes. SCCT primes self-efficacy (a belief in one’s ability to succeed), outcome expectations (the perceived results of career-related actions) and personal goals in determining career paths. 

Cultural and environmental factors such as family expectation, pathways to immigration and a lack of occupational knowledge can impede the self-efficacy of Indian international students. Application of SCCT by postsecondary career centres can elevate students’ self-confidence by helping them identify role models, professional mentors and opportunities for experiential learning. For instance, interacting with a member of the Indian community who themselves started their journey as an international student and are now thriving in a Canadian workplace can positively impact their self-efficacy.  

The cultural context: a barrier or an opportunity? 

Making a career choice is a complex process for Indian students. In a collectivist society like India, career choices are heavily influenced by familial expectations and the societal norms that dissuades risk taking. This creates a sharp chasm as in an individualist society like Canada career choices are shaped by individual aspirations and meritocracy that incentivizes networking and risk taking. Culturally, most Indian students equate success with careers in business, engineering and IT due to the established eminence of Indian institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology and Indian Institute of Management; and these expectations can lead students to make career decisions that do not fully align with their personal interests or the realities of the Canadian job market.  

Therefore, by offering culturally sensitive counseling and career advice, career centres can help Indian students balance their personal goals with family expectations. Furthermore, they can offer tailored programming that supports students in making informed career choices while helping them understand how their cultural background can act as a strength rather than being a limitation. This can be achieved by incorporating SCCT’s outcome expectations, emphasizing the development of self-efficacy and realistic career goals in the fields listed above based on their abilities, life experiences, job market and anticipated results. 

Building professional networks: the missing link 

According to SCCT theory, vicarious learning, (i.e., observing others who have successfully navigated similar career paths) can increase a student’s confidence in their ability to succeed. Ontario institutions can bridge this gap by pairing students with successful alumni, particularly from the Indian diaspora as a part of a mentorship program. Additionally, colleges can facilitate connections with local businesses and industry leaders through internships, co-op placements and networking events specifically tailored for international students. 

Collaboration between career and immigration services 

Many students consider staying in Canada to gain work experience and look for pathways to  permanent residency status after graduation. Institutions in Ontario can enhance support by fostering closer collaboration between career and immigration advisors. Students can receive comprehensive advice on both their career paths and immigration options if they could attend a joint workshop or a one-on-one session facilitated by both career and immigrations advisors. Moreover, the dynamic nature of immigration policies currently favoring those having work experience (and not necessarily an academic background) in fields such as STEM, health care, agriculture, trades, transport and Francophonie, this integrated approach can help students make informed decisions about their future and increase their chances of successfully transitioning into the Canadian workforce and securing permanent residency. 

A path forward 

Indian international students bring immense talent and potential to Ontario’s postsecondary sector. However, their success in the Canadian job market depends on the support they receive during their studies. Therefore, it is incumbent on colleges and universities to help students achieve their career aspirations by identifying and addressing their unique challenges. 

By ensuring the success of these students, Ontario’s postsecondary sector can also contribute to the broader economic and cultural growth of the province by investing in these strategies. 

This column is coordinated through the Internationalization of Student Affairs Community of Practice of the Canadian Association of College & University Student Services (CACUSS). For comments or questions please contact in***********@ca****.ca.