Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
Education
Covid hasn’t crushed study abroad plans but students could face ‘more competition’ in 2021
Excerpts from the article by Kritika Sharma published in The Print
Experts in the field of foreign education say 2021 is going to be an interesting year as more students are applying, including those who dropped their plans in 2020 due to Covid.
The process to apply to foreign universities for the 2021 academic session has already started, and Indian students, who make up a large chunk of the international students in countries like the United States, Canada, UK and Australia, are as keen to apply as every other year, despite the fear of Covid-19 still looming large.
Experts in the field of international education, however, feel students are likely to face more competition in 2021 because those who gave up on their foreign dream in 2020 are applying again for the 2021 session, thereby increasing the number of applicants.
‘More students are applying this year’
Pavithra Srinivasan, founder, Galvanize Test Prep, an ed-tech platform, said, “After people realised that this thing (Covid-19) is here to stay and they cannot drop their goals completely, from August we have seen an uptick in students who are registering with us. This means they have the same kind of interest as last year to study abroad.”
Talking about the increased competition for 2021 academic session, Rachna Dua, a Delhi-based freelance education consultant, said, “I have noticed that students are applying to a lot more universities because of this fear, they are even applying to state universities and colleges that are not very well-known, just to be on the safe side.”
‘Students taking active steps towards study-abroad journeys’
Stephanie Winters, public relations manager, Educational Testing Service, an agency that conducts TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and GRE (Graduate Record Examination), which are accepted for admission by universities in the US and other countries, also agreed there is a positive trend in terms of student applications.
She said the intent to study abroad is reflected in the number of students taking the GRE test and TOEFL. She said while the pandemic has had a significant impact everywhere, each study destination as well as the institutes within it are handling it uniquely.
“With that said, Indian students are and will continue to be a steadfast part of the study abroad market — it is one of the largest source countries for international students globally, second only to China,” she added.
‘Countries are slowly opening up’
Some students also said they were initially adopting a wait-and-watch policy, but ultimately decided to go ahead with their applications.
“I am aiming to join the university in 2021… so far I was skeptical about starting the application process, but I finally did it. Countries are slowly opening up and by the time I go to school in September, things should get better… or so I hope,” said Sana Zehra, a Delhi University student, who is applying for a public policy programme in the US.
Career
5 tips to find and land a new job in 2021
Excerpts from article by Ashley Stahl published in Forbes
The events of 2020 have brought profound changes to all of our lives. For many, their work lives have been upended or drastically changed. For small business owners, 2020’s upheavals created an unprecedented need to adapt or fold.
Here are 5 tips for job hunting in 2021:
1) Diversity, equity and inclusion will play a greater role in hiring than ever
Those entering the job search in 2021 should expect issues of diversity, equity and inclusion to have a growing role in hiring and in company policies moving forward.
Whether you are a candidate who is part of an underrepresented demographic in a certain field, or you feel that your voice should be amplified in the conversation about diversity and equity, it is valuable to understand the vital role that diversity, equity and inclusion will play in hiring practices and company policies in the future. It’s important that we all understand that we have a role to play in creating a more equitable future in the professional space.
2) Do not be afraid to negotiate your salary or ask for a promotion
For many, the uncertainty of the current climate might make them feel risk-averse and reluctant to seek a promotion or a raise, or to negotiate a higher salary during the hiring process.
Don’t be afraid to ask for what you’re worth.
Although the hiring manager holds most of the power throughout the interview process, remember, “by the time you get to the offers stage and they are giving you an offer, the power is starting to switch back to you now.”
Though some companies may be weathering financial challenges, negotiating your salary is not a faux pas—it’s as important as ever. Do your research about the value of your role and comparable salary ranges. Strong data will still help you make your point.
Job Hunt Tip: Don’t let pandemic setbacks prevent you from seeking the salary you deserve. Take the long view to get perspective on your career, and use data to support your position in any negotiation.
3) Look toward industries that are growing despite pandemic setbacks
While the Covid-19 pandemic has a major negative impact on many sectors, there are certainly industries that have been thriving through 2020, and are projected to exceed expectations into 2021.
If you are looking to make a career change, it would be advantageous to look toward careers in these sectors:
- E-Commerce
- Tech and telecommunications
- Healthcare
4) Ask yourself the difficult questions
With so much going on around us, and tremendous uncertainty, many may be feeling a lack of clarity when it comes to next steps for their career. In order to move toward gaining clarity in your work life, it is important to ask yourself some challenging questions.
Evaluate what you are doing in your career. Ask yourself: “Is this what you want to be doing here and now? Are you happy in your job?” “Is this part of your journey to where you have aspirations in your career?”
Here are some of the most valuable questions I’ve used to help my clients gain clarity:
- Am I hiding who I am at work?
- What do people tell me I’m good at?
- What do I know that I wish I didn’t know?
Job Hunt Tip: Do a deep dive with difficult questions to explore if you are not happy in your current job or career.
5) Don’t be afraid to job hunt if it’s time for something new
The temptation for many is to wait out the difficult times, even if they are unhappy. To this Sutherland-Wong suggests considering, “What are the alternatives? If the realities at my company are that I’m going to be stagnant here for a while, and I’m not super happy here, I would encourage you to look elsewhere.”
While the pandemic has certainly created economic setbacks that might make a job search seem daunting, remote work has also created a tremendous amount of new opportunities for job seekers. Statistics show that there was a 92% increase in remote jobs between September 2019 and September 2020.
Job Hunt Tip: Don’t let the uncertainty of the post-Covid economy stop you from starting your job search. It never hurts to see what’s out there, and the sooner you start looking, the better chance you have of finding a better fit.
After such a tough year, you deserve to give yourself the chance to find your dream job.
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
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