‘Do Not Study Abroad Without Work Experience’: Warning Issued for Indian Students, Risks Explained

New Delhi: Studying abroad has become an increasingly popular aspiration among Indian students, with government data indicating that over 1.8 million Indians are currently pursuing higher education overseas. Countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Singapore continue to attract lakhs of Indian students every year. However, experts and students alike are now cautioning aspirants against rushing abroad without prior work experience, especially for master’s degrees.

Following the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of Indian students opting for foreign universities has risen sharply. Despite earning international degrees, many graduates have raised concerns about difficulty in securing jobs after completing their studies. A significant number of such complaints come from students who pursued master’s programmes immediately after graduation.

In a widely discussed post on the social media platform Reddit, an Indian student who completed an MSc degree in Singapore issued a strong warning, advising students not to go abroad without full-time work experience. According to the student, job opportunities for fresh graduates with no professional background are extremely limited.

“Students who pursue a master’s degree without any work experience rarely get jobs easily,” the post stated. “A few success stories create unrealistic expectations among average students. While hard work matters, employment abroad depends far more on networking, professional contacts, and standing out as exceptional.”

The student further clarified that internships alone are not sufficient. Emphasising the value of professional exposure, he advised aspirants to gain full-time work experience in their chosen field before applying to foreign universities.

“Please acquire some full-time work experience before going abroad. Even a few years of professional work will open doors that are not available to fresh graduates. It puts you in a far better position in the job market after completing your degree,” the post added.

The warning has resonated with many students online, reigniting the debate over the return on investment of expensive overseas education. With high tuition fees, living costs, and visa-related uncertainties, experts suggest that informed decision-making and realistic expectations are crucial before taking the leap to study abroad.

As the global job market becomes increasingly competitive, the message is clear: international education works best when combined with relevant work experience, rather than as a substitute for it.