Many British graduates are lacking in "global competencies", a recent report suggests. As with many headlines encountered by recent or future graduates, this can appear at first glance to be an ominous one. It proposes a deficiency which many students may already have. In this case, that being a lack of experience of other cultures in comparison to those from China, India and South Korea in particular.
In its most basic form, this case is indisputable. A higher percentage of Chinese students (15) go to a foreign university than do those from Britain. The likes of France and Germany had twice as many students on exchange programs than those from this country (although in that case, their higher populations must surely be considered). This leads to the conclusion that British graduates are somewhat lacking in a global mindset, inexperienced in working with those from different backgrounds and unwilling to move out of their comfort zone when it comes to entering graduate jobs.
To a point, these claims can be held as valid. It is true that some British students may be less inclined to look abroad in their search for work and university placements than their foreign counterparts (although in the case of the latter, the recent hike in tuition fees has seen some changes). However, to suggest that learning and working primarily in England may result in some kind of cultural ignorance is a little premature.
Rather, the vast majority of graduates in Britain are educated in a hugely multi-cultural environment, and subsequently enter a similar complex when looking for a graduate job. The encouragement is always to think globally, with placements abroad and gap years widely available, and opportunities in foreign countries often stressed as a desirable aspect in any graduate job. The report in question itself suggests that language, the one area where British graduates most definitely do for the most part fall behind many of their peers, is not an issue, with English being a truly global one in itself.
With all of this in mind it would seem, as is the case with many such headlines concerning the recruitment market, that there is nothing to worry about. In fact, the survey highlights potential misconceptions which students and graduates may be able to define themselves against, highlighting the skills they know employers are looking for and will truly consider to stand out from the crowd.
Jon, GRB Journalist
