Foreign Fixation

Updated on: Friday, February 03, 2012

A recent survey by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) revealed that of the 500 respondents only 22% wanted to stay back and work in India post the completion of their programme. 75% of the respondents wanted to land jobs in United States, 40 in the United Kingdom and 25 in Australia. Europe, Canada, Singapore and UAE are among the other preferred countries. The country-wide survey was conducted on students from top B-schools including Indian Institute of Management, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Institute of Management Technology and SP Jain Institute of Management and Research.

WESTWARD

So, in spite of the World Banks forecast that India will grow at 6.5% compared to a mere 1.4% for high-income countries (-0.3 percent for the Euro Area and 2.2 for the US), what is it that attracts talented management graduates to foreign countries? Says D S Rawat, secretary general, ASSOCHAM, MBA students still want to pursue overseas jobs because foreign companies offer much better salaries and good living and working conditions. The rate of macroeconomic growth is only an academic issue. The real growth is negative and it will be sometime before India reaches the level of developed countries like the US and Europe. Adds Sagar Sambrani, a first-year post graduate programme (PGP-I) student at IIM Calcutta, Jobs abroad provide a person the opportunity to work on larger deals with people from diverse backgrounds. It makes the entire process more enjoyable. Moreover, at the graduation level there are no major responsibilities binding a person so he/she can explore better opportunities abroad at least for a few years. Sambrani has an internship offer from Deutsche Bank, London and wants to work there post graduation.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

But during times when most economies are reeling under financial crisis and the overall job market is uncertain one would doubt the prospects of Indian students getting global offers. V K Menon, admissions director, ISB, Hyderabad, disagrees, s a counter intuitive phenomenon. During such situations the pull for premium graduates in the global markets is going to increase significantly. The confusion arises when you try to merge the macro phenomena with the micro activity. That is to say a particular country may be doing good or bad but the requirement for premium graduates from a few companies in the country could be high.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER

So what are the factors one needs to consider while deciding on the job one takes up? Experts and students alike say the most important factor to keep in mind is the job on offer. Menon concludes, Apart from the role you also need to consider your fitment to it, the procedures of the company and the macro policies of the country including work permits, visas and government regulations.

Times of India

Foreign Fixation

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