Study Abroad and Employability Outcomes by https://padlet.com/spauloski/zf2ajpj6ka87 EDGI 508: Initial Capstone Research Proposal en-us 2017-02-05 19:34:50 UTC 2017-02-05 21:15:47 UTC hello@padlet.com Potential Research Topic/Problem: spauloski https://padlet.com/spauloski/zf2ajpj6ka87/wish/151688299
Study abroad participation is on the rise and it is important to consider longer-term benefits and potential career goals associated with it. Therefore, I have chosen to research study abroad outcomes, specifically the impact on post-graduate employability. I am looking to see if study abroad is often a deal breaker for employers when choosing candidates for a position and if it actually makes a difference when hiring someone. I know that study abroad has a tremendous impact on someone either way, whether it is for resume-enhancing purposes or not, however, I am very curious to see the employability impact for students who have studied abroad versus non-internationally mobile students. I am also curious to see the difference in employment opportunities among just study abroad participants (i.e. foreign language study abroad participants who studied abroad versus non-foreign language students who studied abroad). Ultimately, I am looking to answer the following question: What is the problem with study abroad (or a lack of) and employability?

]]> 2017-02-05 21:03:32 UTC https://padlet.com/spauloski/zf2ajpj6ka87/wish/151688299 Research Questions: spauloski https://padlet.com/spauloski/zf2ajpj6ka87/wish/151688353 1.) What are the results of students who have studied abroad and still do not have a job post-graduation?

2.) Does study abroad and employability only impact foreign language majors and/or internationally-related studies (i.e. business, education, relations, etc.) versus STEM-related majors?

3.) Does the relationship between study abroad and employability only come into play for certain job contexts and environments?

4.) Does the relationship between study abroad and employability only come into play based on certain countries that a student studied in?

]]> 2017-02-05 21:04:22 UTC https://padlet.com/spauloski/zf2ajpj6ka87/wish/151688353 Research Methodology - Constructivism: spauloski https://padlet.com/spauloski/zf2ajpj6ka87/wish/151688409
The ontology of constructivism and interpretivist represents a relativist perspective or multiple realities and the epistemology represents a subjectivist perspective or the knower and respondent co-creating understandings. According to Denzin & Lincoln (2011), learning is a constructive process in which the learner is building an internal representation of knowledge and a personal interpretation of experience. Constructivism holds that there is a real world that we experience and we construct meaning based on our interactions with our surroundings (Lincoln et al., 2011, 102). However, there are many ways to perceive the construction of the world, and there are many perspectives and connotations for any occurrence or concept. Multiple realities exist and are dependent on the individual. This is why I feel that constructivism relates best with this research proposal as there are many perspectives and patterns to consider. 

]]> 2017-02-05 21:04:57 UTC https://padlet.com/spauloski/zf2ajpj6ka87/wish/151688409 Methods of Data Collection: spauloski https://padlet.com/spauloski/zf2ajpj6ka87/wish/151688454 Qualitative:
-        Employer interviews
-        Survey questions (open-ended)
-        Literature review (analyzing and comparing outcomes)

Quantitative: 
-        Outcome rates between study abroad participants versus non-study abroad participants, as well as rates among the varying study abroad participant population 
-        Survey questions (closed-ended) 
]]> 2017-02-05 21:05:40 UTC https://padlet.com/spauloski/zf2ajpj6ka87/wish/151688454 Data Analysis - Mixed Methods: spauloski https://padlet.com/spauloski/zf2ajpj6ka87/wish/151688539
As stated from last week, I feel that a mixed methods approach would best suit this topic, especially while being paired with a constructivist methodology. This seems like a study that would benefit from both qualitative and quantitative methods as stated on this page. The use of both would allow for multiple ways to obtain answers to the research questions. For example, closed-ended surveys would be beneficial for general results and then interviews would provide more detailed responses and tailor to a constructivism paradigm taking in multiple perspectives. The idea is to analyze and identify research and cases that could help further understand the employment benefits and/or opportunities related with study abroad experiences. Therefore, mixed methods would be best since understanding material and interacting with specifics populations would be key to tackling this research topic. 

]]> 2017-02-05 21:06:52 UTC https://padlet.com/spauloski/zf2ajpj6ka87/wish/151688539 Relevant Sources: spauloski https://padlet.com/spauloski/zf2ajpj6ka87/wish/151688574 Crossman, J. E., & Clarke, M. (2010). International experience and graduate employability: stakeholder perceptions on the connection. Higher Education, 59(5), 599-613. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/stable/40602422 

Heffron, S., M.A., & Maresco, P. A., PhD. (2014). The value of international experiences for business students: Measuring business student attitudes toward study abroad. Journal of International Students, 4(4), 351-362. Retrieved from http://www.library.drexel.edu/cgi-bin/r.cgi/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/1642597950?accountid=10559

Koda, Y., & Yuki, T. (2013). The labor market outcomes of two forms of cross-border higher education degree programs between Malaysia and Japan. International Journal of Educational Development, 33(4), 367-379. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2012.07.001

Savicki, V., & Brewer, E. (2015). Assessing study abroad: theory, tools, and practice. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing, LLC.

Wiers-Jenssen, J., & Try, S. (2005). Labour market outcomes of higher education undertaken abroad. Studies In Higher Education, 30(6), 681-705. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03075070500340028

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