The impact of extracurricular activities and engagement on international graduates' employability: OPAIC alumni 2019

Abstract

The high level of dissatisfaction from an employability perspective and decreasing employment rate of international students in New Zealand is an increasing concern for higher education providers and their students. Education New Zealand research in 2019 and Otago Polytechnic Auckland International Campus Graduate Outcome report 2019 support these findings. It highlights a need for a strategy to develop and enhance international student employability skills. The purpose of this study was to investigate the connection between the graduates’ employability and their participation in extracurricular activities (ECAs) and the outcomes from their involvement. This study explored the views of Otago Polytechnic Auckland International Campus alumni who graduated in 2019 from various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Using descriptive and thematic analysis, this study analysed the impact of extracurricular activities on Otago Polytechnic Auckland International Campus graduates’ employability. Convenience sampling was used for data collection. A total of 112 participants completed an online survey, and 7 participants undertook semi-structured interviews. The data collected from the survey identified the level of engagement in different extracurricular activities, the motivations to participate, the barriers to participation, the development of soft skills from graduates’ perspective, and employment rates. Using the descriptive analysis, data was compared and correlated. The data collected from interviews provided an in-depth understanding of how international students perceive the benefits of engagement in extracurricular activities and shared their outcomes. Recommendations were provided for future and current international students and to Otago Polytechnic Auckland International Campus as a facilitator of employability skills development based on the findings.