Career Development International · 2003 · 278 citations · 13 references
EducationInternational BusinessCareer ManagementGlobalizationTourismCareer ChoiceCareer DevelopmentCareer PathwaysCareer TransitionsTourist BehaviorTravel BehaviourCareer Choice ProcessesInterview Study DesignSituational ContextTourism Travel Behaviour
Overseas experience (OE) refers to self‑directed working‑holiday trips that young people undertake to explore other countries, a practice widespread worldwide and especially common in Australia and New Zealand as a rite of passage. This paper investigates OE and its effect on career development. The authors conducted an interview study of 50 New Zealanders who had undertaken OE, examining personal and situational factors, the unplanned and improvisational nature of OE, its main forms, and its apparent consequences for personal development and subsequent careers. The study finds that OE offers benefits but is complex and unpredictable because of confounding forces such as non‑career travel agendas and personal relationships, while its value for careers in today’s environment of increasing self‑direction, flexibility, and internationalisation is highlighted.
“OE” is overseas experience – periods of “working holiday” undertaken by young people autonomously exploring other countries and cultures. This paper investigates OE and considers its effect on career development. OE is a world‐wide phenomenon, but has special significance in Australia and New Zealand, where it is undertaken as a “rite of passage” by many young people. The paper reports results from an interview study of 50 OEs undertaken by young New Zealanders. It focuses on predisposing personal and situational factors prompting OE, the unplanned and improvisational nature of OE, the main forms of OE, and its apparent consequences for personal development and subsequent careers. The evidence suggests that OE brings benefits but that the process is complex and unpredictable because of confounding forces such as non‐career travel agendas and personal relationships. The special value of OE to careers in current conditions requiring greater self‐direction, flexibility and internationalisation is emphasised.
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