Vol. 4, No. 1 (2008): 1\u201319.<\/p>\n
Abstract<\/strong><\/p>\n The author explores the study, work and career pathways of Singaporean\u00a0students, coming to Australia to complete a tertiary qualification and returning to\u00a0Singapore to pursue work and careers. Within these pathways, an attempt is made\u00a0to understand the complexity of influences which shape their life choices and\u00a0decisions. The background of Singapore, its social and economic development,\u00a0and its Asian and western cultural foundations, is placed in the context of young\u00a0Singaporeans studying in Australia. In relation to youth pathways research,\u00a0particular dimensions of structure and agency are applied to the experiences of\u00a0these students. Family and culture, education, (Singapore) state, the workforce\u00a0economy and globalisation are all identified as structural influences. At the\u00a0agentic level, role conflict and negotiation, reflexivity risk-analysis and identity\u00a0are identified. Twenty-four participants in Singapore, self-identified as\u00a0Singaporean and having studied in an Australian university, took part in a semistructured interview and were asked to reflect on their life stories as study to work\u00a0pathways. Twelve of the parents of the participants were interviewed, to provide\u00a0perspectives on their children’s pathways. It was found that there is a complex\u00a0interaction of structure and agency throughout the participants’ life stories, taking\u00a0place on an everyday basis. Attempting to understand this interaction requires an\u00a0understanding of fundamental concerns in participants’ lives at critical junctures\u00a0of transition from study to work. The concept of identity provides insight into the\u00a0‘ultimate concerns’ of participants, allowing for changes and developments,\u00a0through the changing affiliations and relationships experienced at different stages\u00a0of their life stories. The roles and affiliations linked to a changing identity, in the\u00a0case of these participants moving between countries, cultures and institutions,\u00a0provides the basis for understanding the relative effects of structure and agency in\u00a0their study to work transition.<\/p>\n Author’s bio<\/strong><\/p>\n Aramiha Harwood has studied and worked in Australia and New Zealand. His research in New Zealand has mainly involved the return migrations of young Maori to Aotearoa from Australia. He was a researcher on the Youth Pathways Project at the Youth Research Centre, University of Melbourne, looking at the complexity of post-compulsory education pathways young people take into work, career and life. This, combined with his interest in international education, has lead to his Phd research on Singaporean students who studied in Australia \u2013 whereby he attempts to look at their study overseas as more than gaining a qualification, it is also a life transition into young adulthood.<\/p>\n Download<\/strong><\/p>\n Download full article (PDF)<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Vol. 4, No. 1 (2008): 1\u201319. Abstract The author explores the study, work and career pathways of Singaporean\u00a0students, coming to Australia to complete a tertiary qualification and returning to\u00a0Singapore to pursue work and careers. Within these pathways, an attempt is made\u00a0to understand the complexity of influences which shape their life choices and\u00a0decisions. The background of … Continue reading