Study Abroad and Graduate Employability:A case study at Nottingham Law School

Professor Andrea Nollent, Dean

Tracey Watson, Client Relations Manager

Nottingham Law School and Context

• 2008 CIHE study Global Horizons and the Role of Employers

• Need to increase the global awareness of graduates

• Developing employability in a global market place

• Trend towards students not leaving home and studying at local universities?

• Even greater incentive for universities to provide study abroad opportunities

April 21, 2023 2

How to incentivise students to study abroad?

• Clear link to employability – key focus for all universities

• New degree structure with study abroad opportunities built in from 2012

• BUT – does study abroad enhance employability or is it a myth developed by enthusiasts?

• Need to develop robust data if we wish to have credibility in promoting student mobility

April 21, 2023 3

Nottingham Law School, Study Abroad Survey

• Sent to a wide range or solicitors– High Street– Regional– National– Multinational– In house counsel

• Barristers’ Chambers

• Response rate

• Answered by – Training Partners– HR Managers– Graduate Recruitment Managers– Practice Managers– Director of Legal Services

April 21, 2023 4

Q – Do you know what a study abroad or Erasmus scheme is?

“A period of overseas study (rather than a gap year) to develop themes taught in the “home” degree course but with an international slant.”

“Studying 1 extra year of your degree abroad. Living and studying in a foreign university.”

“A student will complete a year of their study overseas.”

“Study exchange between Universities aboard so students could spend a year studying in England and gain credit.”

April 21, 2023 5

Q – Is study aboard or Erasmus scheme experience a factor you would look for when considering a candidate for a job?

Yes 6

No 11

April 21, 2023 6

• 1 - Yes, they would be more likely to be employ

• 10 - No difference

April 21, 2023 7

Q – Does an applicant for a job have an advantage if they have taken part in a study abroad or Erasmus scheme over applicants who haven’t?

Q – What is it about study aboard or an Erasmus experience that you find appealing?

“confidence in candidates, broader experience, not afraid of new challenges, welcome going outside of their comfort zone”

“Suggests independence, ability to manage a new environment, broaden horizons generally”

“students are often more confident with a mature outlook. Plus they may have the added skill of fluency in another language”

“…having to adapt to the different culture they experience and learn to be independent”April 21, 2023 8

Q – Would the country the exchange took place in be a deciding factor when assessing applicants?

• Yes – 2

• No - 5

April 21, 2023 9

Q - Please indicate how much value you place in Study Abroad or Erasmus scheme experience in the following locations. Scale 1 to 5, where 1 = very low value and 5 = very high value

Country 1 2 3 4 5

United States 0 0 5 2 0

Europe (EU MS) 1 0 1 4 1

Europe (non EU) 1 0 3 3 0

Canada 0 0 5 2 0

Australia 0 0 5 2 0

New Zealand 0 0 5 2 0

Rest of the world 0 2 1 4 0

April 21, 2023 10

Q – Please indicate how much you value each of the following qualities in potential job candidates. Scale of 1 to 5Personal Qualities 1 2 3 4 5

Interpersonal skills 0 0 0 3 14

Intercultural skills 0 0 7 3 7

Adaptability 0 0 1 5 11

Team working skills 0 0 1 4 12

Quick learning 0 0 0 9 8

Confidence 0 1 1 6 9

Communication Skills 0 0 0 5 12

Initiative 0 0 2 4 11

April 21, 2023 11

Q – Please indicate how much you value each of the following qualities in potential job candidates. Scale of 1 to 5

Personal Qualities 1 2 3 4 5

Leadership skills 0 0 6 4 7

Knowledge of the law 0 0 4 4 9

Self awareness and development

0 0 3 8 6

Time management 0 1 0 7 9

Work load management 0 1 0 7 9

Business awareness 0 1 2 4 10

April 21, 2023 12

Q – How do you think a person with Study Abroad or Erasmus exchange experience might differ (if at all) to someone without this experience? (1)

Personal Qualities Inferior Same Superior

Interpersonal skills 0 8 9

Intercultural skills 0 0 17

Adaptability 0 4 13

Team working skills 0 15 2

Quick learning 0 12 5

Confidence 0 4 13

Communication skills 0 8 9

Initiative 0 10 7

April 21, 2023 13

Q – How do you think a person with Study Abroad or Erasmus exchange experience might differ (if at all) to someone without this experience? (2)

Personal Qualities Inferior Same Superior

Leadership skills 0 15 2

Foreign language proficiency 0 2 15

Knowledge of the law 0 15 2

Self awareness and development 0 12 2

Time management 0 15 2

Work load management 0 16 1

Business awareness 0 15 2

April 21, 2023 14

Q – Why wouldn’t you look for Study Abroad or Erasmus experience when considering a candidate?

“Why would we? No specific relevance to out type of work – an interesting addition and to be applauded but not a criteria for recruitment”

“because we are a regional firm rather than international, it is not as important to have international experience. We would look at any experience related to the legal industry that we are in and face.”

April 21, 2023 15

Results

• Response rate not as good as hoped for

• Yes they understand study abroad, but….

• Will it help candidates get an interview?

• Recognition of “added value” of the experience

“confidence in candidates, broader experience, not afraid of new challenges, welcome going outside of their comfort zones”

• Recognition of improved skills– Interpersonal– Intercultural– Confidence– Foreign language proficiency

April 21, 2023 16

Advice to students

Experience of a lifetime

It might not help them at application, but……

it will help them at interview

“What this kind of experience does give a candidate is great experiences to draw upon at the interview stage”

April 21, 2023 17

Employers

• Promote study abroad at career events

• Maximise exposure at every opportunity

• Added value

“….independence, ability to manage a new environment, broaden horizons generally”

“students are often more confident with a mature outlook. Plus they may have the added skill of fluency in another

language”

April 21, 2023 18

Conclusions

• Information for employers clearly explaining the benefit of student mobility

• Use of case studies as illustration

• Sponsorship from employers to develop engagement

• Developing a graduate profile in which mobility becomes the norm rather than the exception

April 21, 2023 19