How International Careers Are Changing: More Focus Needed on the Social Side
Due to changes in the global labor market, international careers are becoming increasingly diverse and less tied to traditional corporate expat programs. People are working abroad more often on a temporary basis and are taking greater control over their own careers. However, many organizations are struggling to adapt to this new reality.
In her doctoral research, Friederike Mathey shows that it is not performance or practical support, but rather the social aspect of international work that should take center stage. How do people feel at home in a new environment? How do they build relationships in unfamiliar settings? And how do they cope with uncertainty and change?
Mathey found that international workers actively develop their own strategies depending on their work environment. She emphasizes the importance of seeing them as independent professionals who shape their careers through social networks and personal relationships.
In practice, this means employers need to invest more in social support—such as networking opportunities, cultural training, and well-being programs. Policymakers can use these insights to help returning talent reintegrate more effectively, for instance through local community engagement. These insights are also relevant for digital nomads and other new forms of international work: they often lack traditional support structures but still need connection and resilience.
More information on the thesis
