The Effects of International Experience on Career Development
Salmela, Essi (2016)
Salmela, Essi
2016
Kuvaus
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Tiivistelmä
Globalization is forcing organizations to globalize which is leading to increasing demand of international competencies from employees. People are increasingly answering to this demand from companies by gaining international experiences via studying or working abroad. Studying and working abroad also develop oneself and help gain new skills. Thus, this could be a possible way to affect one’s career and career development. The aim of this master’s thesis is to discover the probable links between international experiences and career development.
The theoretical framework of this study consists of literature concerning past research on studying and working abroad, and the main theories concerning careers. The theories on careers are focused on the internal and the organizational sides of careers, and also on career development and career success. The empirical part of this master’s thesis follows a qualitative research approach utilizing semi-structured theme interviews. The sample of this thesis consists of nine people with international experience and also at least a few years of work experience.
The results of this study indicate that international experiences do have an impact on careers and career development. This impact was mostly positive even though the actual international experience itself would not always be regarded as positive by the respondents. The study shows that the more positive international experience is, the more likely it will result in positive outcomes. The positive outcomes include e.g. gaining new personality traits and skills which have affected individual’s career and career development.
The theoretical framework of this study consists of literature concerning past research on studying and working abroad, and the main theories concerning careers. The theories on careers are focused on the internal and the organizational sides of careers, and also on career development and career success. The empirical part of this master’s thesis follows a qualitative research approach utilizing semi-structured theme interviews. The sample of this thesis consists of nine people with international experience and also at least a few years of work experience.
The results of this study indicate that international experiences do have an impact on careers and career development. This impact was mostly positive even though the actual international experience itself would not always be regarded as positive by the respondents. The study shows that the more positive international experience is, the more likely it will result in positive outcomes. The positive outcomes include e.g. gaining new personality traits and skills which have affected individual’s career and career development.