International Career Mentorship Prepares Students for Today’s Labor Market

The COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and the global recession of 2020 have intensified changes already taking place in a highly uncertain labor market. As stated in the introduction to the World Economic Forum’s The Future of Jobs Report 2018, “The Fourth Industrial Revolution is interacting with other socio-economic and demographic factors to create a perfect storm of business model change in all industries, resulting in major disruptions to labour markets. New categories of jobs will emerge, partly or wholly displacing others. The skill sets required in both old and new occupations will change in most industries and transform how and where people work.” 

As noted in the 2020 edition of The Future of Jobs Report, employers now demand not only critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills but also self-development skills such as active learning, resilience, stress tolerance, and flexibility—skills that are often gained through international experiences. 

International alumni are uniquely positioned to help prepare students (both international and domestic) for today’s changing labor market. They can serve as advisers, mentors, employers, and liaisons between the university and the public and private sectors—all while imparting cross-cultural skills gained from their own international experiences. International alumni networks can provide guidance and a safety net for students navigating the beginning of their careers.

Similarly, international partnerships can set the infrastructure for professional development, internship, and job placement opportunities that connect students with labor markets around the world. 

Two examples, one from Turkey and one from Australia, demonstrate different approaches for universities and