New study makes the link between study abroad and employability

Amidst a backdrop of record youth unemployment in many parts of the world, a new European Commission study released this month shows that young people who study or train abroad gain key skills highly coveted by employers, in addition to learning specific knowledge.

The Erasmus Impact Study found that internationally mobile students are half as likely to experience long-term unemployment compared to their peers who have not studied or trained abroad. The benefit of studying abroad extends to 5 years after graduation, when students who have studied abroad have a 23% lower chance of unemployment.

Employers' perspective on study abroad

Funnily enough, the traits valued by employers - such as tolerance, confidence, problem-solving skills, curiosity, self-awareness and decisiveness - were higher in students bound for exchange even before they went on exchange, and by the time they get back, the differences in these values increases by 42% on average, compared with other students.

Make the decision to study abroad today!

Visit www.nexpay.com.au to find out how you can save on your international student payments.

Are postgraduate studies worth it?

Recently it seems like the trendiest trend in higher education is postgraduate studies. Before, the ultimate dream of middle-class parents for their kids is a college education. Now that everybody has a degree, it seems that the only way to stand out is by pursuing even further studies. But having spent a considerable amount of money on an undergraduate course, is it worth the additional costs and effort to obtain a master's degree?

Continuing education - is it for you?

Graduate Careers Australia (GCA) has observed that 94% of postgraduates are employed shortly after the conclusion of their course, and that the unemployment rate amongst postgraduate degree holders is 3%, which is lower than the average 5.3% for the entire workforce.

In addition, certain industries require a minimum of a master's degree to practise eg. teaching. Also, a global survey of employers have revealed a very promising picture on students considering postgraduate studies in business and management - Asia Pacific's strong focus on growth is driving increased hiring of MBA and other postgraduate qualifications holders in the region, with the most in-demand degrees being masters in accounting, finance and/or management.

Research has shown that postgraduates enjoy better employment outcomes, higher salaries and are more likely to be employed in high-level positions. Employers value the personal development which occurs during postgraduate studies, and students get the opportunity to experiment with different ideas and ways of thinking.

However, it would be unwise to expect an immediate payoff upon graduation - it may take a couple of years before the financial benefits kick in. The overall median salary for postgraduates is $75,000 in 2012, an increase from $73,000 in 2011.

There are also predictions that PhDs by coursework will be the next trend in higher education, as students strive to differentiate themselves from the surging number of postgraduates.

Do you think a postgraduate degree is worth it?

Avoiding the Freshman Fifteen

Rites of passage - graduating from high school, going off to college.. these are all milestones which mark our growth from children to adults. However, one rather unsavoury part of the typical growing up stages which most university students go through is the 'freshman fifteen'.

The term 'freshman fifteen' refers to the weight (15 pounds or 7 kilos) commonly stacked on by first year students (freshman). For the first time in their lives, students are moving out from home, away from parents and home-cooked meals, sharing a communal kitchen with other young students whose diet pyramid looks like this -

The college food pyramid

And let's not forget the booze.

What to do?

1. Be prepared. Some students (me) get taken by surprise when they start packing on the kilos because they had never gained weight quickly before. Know that it might happen, and -

2. Do like a Scout and be prepared. Have a game plan ready.

Part 1 of your game plan would be some no-cook dorm friendly healthy meals -

Oatmeal with fruits

• Oatmeal with fruits

Kickstart your day with rolled oats and milk, easily cooked in the microwave and topped with fruits for added fanciness.

PB&J + Banana sandwich

• Peanut butter and jelly + banana sandwiches.

For an easy, portable and delicious meal.

2-minute Quesadillas

• 2-minute quesadillas

Just layer your favourite quesadillas ingredients (beans / diced tomatoes / avocados / cheese etc.) on a tortilla and microwave for approximately 1 minute.

Part 2 involves activity!

Aim to go for a 15 minute power jog / swim daily, join a sports club (also great for meeting people) and/or try to walk instead of catching public transport if you can.

Recruit a friend to help you stay committed.

With a bit of common sense (not overdoing it with alcohol), you can stay fit and healthy throughout your uni days!

Multiple choice questions abolished at Central Queensland University

Multiple Choice Questions (often fondly referred to by students as MCQs) will no longer be used as an exam format at Central Queensland University (CQU).

Are multiple choice questions a thing of the past?

Is this good news or bad?

As a student, I personally loved MCQs - it gave me a 20-25% chance of getting the correct answer when I'm stumped by the questions. If desperate and given enough time, I can even sneakily reverse engineer answers.

Plus it's less stressful to pick from 5 options instead of having to sift through all the information in my brain to access the appropriate answer.

Because MCQ exams are usually marked by machines, students get their results quicker, and marking feels more objective.

Unfortunately, some of these reasons why I adore MCQs is what led to its abolishment from CQU, understandably -

CQU pro vice chancellor Professor Rob Reed has expressed that to be able to apply learnings in the real world, students must get used to forming answers with their own minds because it is highly unlikely students will get presented with a few neat alternatives to make a selection once they graduate. Students will have to come up with the alternatives themselves.

Also, by allowing students the flexibility of writing their own answers, it is believed that students will be better positioned to display their knowledge instead of losing out if they get confused by the sometimes deceptively similar MCQ answers.

Short answers - as short as a single word - will replace MCQ when CQU starts a new term next month.

Do you prefer MCQs or subjective answers?

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Source: The Australian

What makes Australian universities different?

Going to university is one of the most exciting times of a person's life, especially when one has the opportunity to study abroad. With seemingly endless university choices, here's what makes Australian universities stand out on the global arena.

The University of Sydney

1. Australia preserves the high quality of its universities relatively small - at 39 universities currently. To become a university in Australia, a higher education provider has to satisfy demanding requirements. Even a reputable university from another country cannot set up in Australia as a university without fulfilling these rigorous criteria.

In many countries, even the US, there are few restrictions to using the title 'university'. But in Australia the right to call an education provider a university is very valuable and jealously guarded.

2. The university sector in Australia is very stable. Australian universities are well managed with high levels of accountability and transparency. It is hard to even imagine circumstances which would lead to a university in Australia going into liquidation and closing down.

The Australia university sector is not based on a quota system - it is based on quality. As long as an education provider satisfies the legislated criteria for this title, it can be classified as a university. Quality is the underlying thread running through all Australian universities.

3. Students are eligible for post study work visas which allows them to work temporarily in Australia upon graduation, obtaining valuable work experience.

As a student agent, these factors would be good to know when helping your student select the most suitable higher education destination.

Sources: The Knight Review