Differences in experiences of career development in host and home countries

This chapter features a case study in which an international graduate compares her career development experiences in the host and home country. Due to a shortage of social network and cultural understanding as well as a lack of interest in her field of study, she struggled to look for relevant jobs in Australia. However, upon returning to China, she became a competent employee that received special interests from her superiors due to the capital associated with her international education, on top of her being a Chinese born. She found the meaning in the job she did, improved her well-being as well as constructed a professional identity that she really desired to be. She suggests that overseas education is a costly but valuable investment; thus, international students need to make good use of the opportunity to develop employability capital and utilize them for career development, regardless of being in the host or the home country.