A Griffith University career consultant says international internship experience is becoming a decisive advantage for graduates entering an increasingly competitive job market.
Belinda Murphy, Career Development Consultant at Griffith, says academic performance alone is no longer enough to differentiate candidates.
"Employers are looking for evidence that students can apply their knowledge in complex, real-world settings," she says. "That's where international Work-Integrated Learning experiences can make a significant difference."
One such opportunity is the Griffith Asia Business Internship (GABI), delivered by the Griffith Asia Institute within Griffith Business School and led by Dr Andrea Haefner. The program provides students with a structured, professionally supported international internship designed to strengthen long-term employability.
Building the skills employers want
According to Ms Murphy, there is a clear link between international experience and graduate success. Students who undertake overseas or cross-cultural internships commonly develop adaptability, cross-cultural communication skills, confidence in navigating ambiguity, and stronger problem-solving and teamwork capabilities.
"These are not 'nice to have' qualities," she says. "They are core workplace competencies."
The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 identifies resilience, flexibility and agility, analytical and creative thinking, curiosity and lifelong learning, and leadership among the fastest-growing skills toward 2030. Programs such as GABI foster these capabilities by placing students in unfamiliar organisational and cultural contexts, where they must observe, adapt and contribute.
From experience to employability
Ms Murphy emphasises that the long-term value of an international internship lies not only in the experience itself, but in how students reflect on and articulate it.
"Students may find themselves working with people who have different values or communication styles, or undertaking tasks outside their comfort zone," she says. "Being able to describe how you adapted, solved problems and contributed to a team strengthens your performance in applications and interviews."
Work-Integrated Learning programs are designed to prepare students for what she describes as the "unknown world of work" - offering a supported environment in which to test skills, build professional confidence and refine career direction.
She also notes that adjustment challenges are part of the process.
"Learning to ask questions, seek feedback and reflect on your growth is professional development in action," she says.
A strategic investment
Students who complete international internships frequently report increased resilience, flexibility and self-management, as well as greater clarity around career goals and a broader global perspective.
Ms Murphy describes GABI as more than an overseas opportunity.
"It's a strategic investment in your future employability," she says. "It helps you move from simply having a degree to being able to demonstrate capability, adaptability and global awareness."
In a rapidly changing world of work, she argues, those qualities are what set graduates apart.
Griffith University's Careers and Employability team is also encouraging students to take advantage of the support available alongside programs such as GABI.
The team offers a range of services designed to help students continue developing-and clearly articulating-their professional capabilities. These include webinars and workshops, one-on-one career appointments available both face-to-face and online, the Industry Mentoring Program, Careers Fairs, and registration with Griffith Talent.
Students can also access career readiness online modules and explore opportunities through the Career Hub jobs board.
For personalised support or further information, students are encouraged to contact the team at [email protected].
