Choosing to work abroad after graduating from university, things to keep in mind

After graduating and not finding a satisfactory job, many graduates seek employment opportunities abroad. Is this path easy or not?

Many job opportunities from the international labor market

In recent years, the situation of new graduates not being able to find jobs or working in fields other than their major has become a notable issue. Meanwhile, the opportunities for working abroad are quite open.

According to the General Statistics Office, the unemployment rate among young people aged 15 to 24 in the third quarter of 2025 was more than 9%, an increase over the same period last year.

Faced with that reality, the Government has promoted programs to send Vietnamese workers to work abroad, considering this an important solution to solve employment and improve the quality of human resources.

The international labor market is very open, attracting young Vietnamese people.

PHOTO: TH

Ms. Nguyen Phuong Thao, a specialist at the Ca Mau Province Employment Service Center, said: "Graduates from engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, automotive technology, nursing and nursing are being encouraged to participate, as they are suitable for international recruitment needs."

Mr. Nguyen Minh Nghi, Head of the Department - in charge of sending workers to work abroad, Ca Mau Province Employment Service Center, commented: "In the context of fierce competition in the domestic labor market, working abroad is a feasible direction. However, students need to prepare well in terms of expertise, discipline and foreign language skills to take advantage of this opportunity."

Currently, many markets such as Japan, Korea, Germany, Taiwan, Singapore and some Middle Eastern countries are expanding their acceptance of qualified workers, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese students.

High benefits come with challenges

According to Mr. Nghi, foreign workers with university degrees are currently valued much higher than ordinary workers, not only in terms of salary but also in terms of benefits and career development opportunities.

The starting salary for workers with a university degree ranges from 35-50 million VND/month, which can increase to 70-100 million VND after a few years of work. “Foreign enterprises prioritize qualified people because they meet technical requirements and adapt quickly to new technology,” said Mr. Nghi.

In addition to income, highly skilled workers also enjoy more favorable policies. In Korea, university graduates can apply for a 5-year E7 visa and extend it if they meet the requirements, and can bring their families to live there. Meanwhile, Japan allows engineers to continue working and sign new contracts without having to return home.

In addition, nursing and care workers can apply for permanent residency visas. These policies reflect a trend toward expanding opportunities for skilled workers with a solid educational background.

Mr. Nguyen Van Huy, currently working as an electrical engineer in Gifu (Japan), shared: “In the interview, they asked very carefully about the university education process. Employers value academic background because it demonstrates the ability to absorb technology. After a year of working, I received a salary increase and was assigned to guide new employees.”

However, the path to going abroad is not easy. Workers must simultaneously meet requirements for foreign languages, skills and health. “In Japan, candidates need to have a Japanese language certificate N4 and pass a skills test; in Korea, they need to achieve TOPIK 2 and pass the practical technical test,” Mr. Nghi shared.

The cost of participating in overseas work programs currently ranges from 100 to 130 million VND, including foreign language learning, vocational training and the cost of completing exit documents. Some localities such as Ca Mau have implemented Resolution 21, allowing workers to borrow up to 110 million VND and receive non-refundable support of 12.8 million VND, contributing to reducing the financial burden for participants. However, the specific level of support depends on the receiving market and the type of labor contract.

Despite the many benefits, the path to an international career is not easy. Language barriers, cultural differences and high work intensity are challenges that most young workers face.

Graduates who have not found a satisfactory job should consider carefully before deciding to work abroad.

PHOTO: HA ANH

Mr. Pham Van Duc, currently working as a nurse in Göttingen (Germany), said: “At first, it was quite difficult for me because of the language and cultural differences. The cold winter and short days easily made me tired. Working in the hospital was stressful and required absolute precision. Sometimes I had to work continuously for more than 10 hours.”

Many people fall into loneliness and psychological crisis due to living far from their families and having little time to rest. Many young people admit that they wanted to give up before getting used to the working pace in the host country. “The cold climate and high intensity of work made me exhausted. Now that I am more stable, I plan to work for a few more years to accumulate capital and then return to Vietnam to do business,” Huy added.

However, most young workers still believe that this is a valuable experience, helping them mature and have the conditions to develop a long-term career.

Advice for young people choosing to work abroad

Despite the expanding opportunities, the number of Vietnamese university graduates choosing this path is not large, and they usually enter as engineers or highly skilled workers.

It can be seen that this is a less competitive choice, with a stable income, a professional working environment and long-term career development opportunities for those with a clear orientation. However, Mr. Nguyen Minh Nghi also advised students to choose a reputable labor export unit to avoid financial and legal risks.

Master Nguyen Huu Khang, lecturer at Eastern International University, business consultant, marketing expert, commented: “This is a practical direction. Students with good expertise can absolutely achieve high income, accumulate capital and return to Vietnam to start a business, instead of worrying about the domestic job market.”

Mr. Khang added: “Working abroad also provides the opportunity to practice discipline, acquire technology and broaden international horizons. Whether choosing to stay and work long-term or return to Vietnam, workers can still develop their careers from the experiences they have gained.”

The growing demand for technical workers globally is opening up a wide range of opportunities for Vietnamese students. However, the most important thing is to prepare skills, foreign languages ​​and professional attitudes, so that you can not only leave but also return with more capacity and a broader vision.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chon-di-lao-dong-o-nuoc-ngoai-sau-tot-nghiep-dai-hoc-nhung-dieu-can-luu-y-185251113094835763.htm