INTEGRATION OF INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES OF THE DEGREE PROGRAM IN SOCIAL SERVICES (DSS) INTO PROFESSIONAL WORK LIFE IN FINLAND

Abstract

Collins Mbah Ndam, Integration of International Graduates of the Degree Program of Social Services into the professional Work life. Diaconia University of Applied Sciences, Helsinki Unit, spring 2018. 58 pages including appendix. Language: English. Degree Program in Social Services. In recent times, Finland has witnessed an influx in the number of international students. This was partly due to the country’s open door policy for international students in an attempt to compensate for its declining population. The Finnish Education policy which aims at the internationalization of its higher education has widened the gates for international student’s influx. To this effect therefore, many international students got enrolled in the degree program of social services. The degree program in social services remains one of the most cherished by international students. However, the high language bar set by recruiters, lack of trust by Finnish employment agents and recent economic crisis have reduced the chances of the integration of International graduate of this program into the professional work life. This research oriented thesis is aimed at investigating the rate of integration of international graduates of the degree program in social services into professional work life. It also aims at examining the integration potentials of international graduates from this program into professional work life. The research is basically a quantitative study in which questionnaires were administered to graduates of the degree program using the cloud based survey system called Survey Monkey which allows the collection and analysis of responses. The survey was allowed online for two weeks and results collected through same system and analyzed using excel. The findings in this research indicates that a good number of international graduates of this discipline do not find jobs in the profession for which they were trained. More so, many international graduates of this discipline found it difficult to get a place for job practice while they were studying and they hold the opinion that the Finnish professional job market is not accessible enough. This may partly be explained by the poor language skills acquired during their studies. Among the few who have gained professional jobs, many of them got it through personal efforts and none of them got it through the mentoring organizations. Key Words: Integration, International graduates, Internationalization, Employment