[Last modified: November, 13 2024 12:59 AM]
My research explores how international graduates build networks to transition into the London workforce, addressing issues around migration, labour markets and integration in a new environment. London attracts thousands of international students because of its perceived career opportunities and cultural diversity. However, the reality of finding work post-graduation is challenging, as many graduates lack established networks and face a competitive, unfamiliar job market.
The UK’s Graduate Immigration Route allows international students to stay and work up to two years post-graduation, but it also has limitations. For long-term visas, graduates often need to earn around £38,700, which is difficult in certain fields. This pressure may force graduates to prioritise immediate job security over career alignment to meet immigration requirements. While sectors like finance have structured recruitment pathways, performing arts fields such as dance, theatre and music often rely on informal networks which could be hard for newcomers to access. This can hinder international graduates from non-Western backgrounds from establishing themselves in these industries. Digital networking platforms like LinkedIn provide some access, but they also amplify existing hierarchies. Graduates who are less familiar with digital networking, or whose home countries emphasise in-person networking, may struggle to leverage these tools effectively.
As an international student and freelance musician, I understand some challenges faced by my participants, such as visa-related restrictions on networking. My positionality brings both empathy and potential bias. To minimise this, I will let participants define their own experiences, and acknowledge that networking norms vary across cultures, and some favour informal connections over LinkedIn. Given the political context, I will adapt my methods to be culturally sensitive, using digital ethnography to observe network-building in digital and offline spaces. By documenting my own assumptions and their evolution, I will aim to account for the political dimensions in how international graduates build networks in London, highlighting both opportunities and structural challenges they may face.