Going to another country to work, study, learn another language, gain professional experience or participate in a volunteer action, young people can broaden their horizons, enhance opportunities for future career advancement, and contribute to their own personal development. In the 21st century, products and people cross state borders like never before. Familiarization with European countries takes place during the school with mobility and work experience programs. Through these programs, students have access to new knowledge while developing language and intercultural skills. Mobility outside national borders is linked to different areas of the life of an “active European citizen” such as the arts and culture, entrepreneurship, technology and science. Europe’s economies are equally benefiting from a workforce with better and wider skills and well-prepared to deal with rapidly changing labor markets.
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The most crucial factor to this decision is unemployment rates at the country of origin. Since 2010, more than 710,000 Greeks left their country in order to find a job in the European community due to the economic crisis and unemployment, while four out of ten Greeks say that if they had the chance, would seek their fortune abroad. According the survey conducted on behalf of the General Confederation of Professional Craftsmen and Traders in Greece (contacted by Marc Company, published at www.insider.gr at 5 February 2018),migratory flows do not seem to be subdued and already 40.1% of households are seriously considering migrating abroad if there were conditions for finding work. For young people between 18-34 years old, the percentage of those considering working abroad, is 72.3%. According to Eurostat figures[1], the unemployment rate in Greece in March 2018 was 20.1% and remarkable is the fact that the highest unemployment rates in the EU were recorded in Greece (43.2%), Spain (33.8%) and Italy (31.9%).
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Other facts which reflect on the decision of moving abroad, are both personal and professional. Living abroad is a personal challenging experience. Young people have to adapt to a new culture and a new way of life. Immersing themselves in a foreign environment requires personal flexibility and determination. The challenge of confronting new and different situations on a daily basis, and the independence, intimidating at times, allows young people to build an understanding on managing their life. It is exciting for them to discover what they are capable of, to see, taste, touch, and hear. Broadening their horizons by living and operating in a foreign culture strengthens their ability to communicate and adapt in a different context, culture and society.
Career development opportunities are significantly enhanced by a period spent working abroad. One of the benefits of our newly globalized, information society is that current generations can adopt a broad view and balance multiple attachments. A career is no longer limited to one town or one company for a lifetime. Multilingual employees are a real asset for big companies. The second reason of professional opportunities gained abroad is the understanding of the work cultures and ethos. Understanding different business codes is an asset significant for their career developing in an international community. The third and last reason is that by working abroad they strengthen their determination and ambition. Two qualities, that when accompanied by communication skills, are valuable for all employers.
Although young people take under seriously consideration on moving abroad for work, internationalization of the market gives new opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. Sophisticated information, transport and exchange systems create new opportunities and competitive potential. Over the past two decades, businesses have developed an “extrovert” character. The petition relates to the turn to the international market, which was intensified due to the need of exploiting business opportunities, introduction to foreign markets and respond to growing consumer needs at a global level. Although products and services are available to consumers from different countries, the staff of a business does not need to move to different places and countries but they can work at the company from a distance. Online work at international level is feasible, any work can only be done by computer, can practically be done remotely. Some of these tasks include creating blogs, websites, software and animation, writing articles, translations, using Photoshop to create Graphic design, Banner design, Logo design, Illustration, and countless other choices. Mobility can be real but also can be virtual through the use of information and communication technologies.
The transition from school to the labor market shapes the foundations of the autonomy and independence of the new generation. Such a dramatic change needs to be properly prepared, to enable the candidate to develop the necessary skills to achieve a proper job. Technological developments, economic and social changes differentiate labor market requirements. Young people are invited to meet the demands of a rapidly changing job market. Young people are invited not only to successfully fulfill their knowledge and skills in these requirements, but also to anticipate at the new trends and dynamics that are shaped each time and reflect at the workplace, the form of employment, the labor rights and obligations at world level.
[1] http://www.kathimerini.gr/972720/article/oikonomia/ellhnikh-oikonomia/eurostat-h-ellada-paramenei-prwth-sthn-anergia-twn-newn, Retrieved September 15, 2018
