Online survey now open at http://psych-research.massey.ac.nz
Venkat Raman
New migrants, especially those of Indian origin commonly experience the trauma of job-hunting upon their arrival in New Zealand, compounding which are racial discrimination, social segregation and other forms of ‘passive harassment.’
Indian Migrants in Catch 22
It is also not uncommon for many new migrants to undergo the ‘Rethink Syndrome’ (some of them have returned to the countries from which they arrived), while a majority endure, partly with the challenging sprit and partly to provide a better future for their children.
While Indian Newslink has carried several stories of frustration, failure, success and change of profession of new migrants over the past 20 years, research studies have tried to larger impact on employers and the government.
On that score, a thesis underway by a Massey University Research student could become a watershed for this perennial ‘Catch 22’ situation of ‘New Zealand experience and job hunt.’
Sumedha Hariswamy of Massey University (Albany Campus, Auckland) has undertaken the Study as a part of the fulfilment of her Master’s Degree in Psychology under the guidance of Organisational Psychology Professor Stuart Carr.
She has invited people of Indian origin to recount their pleasant or other experience of their ‘Journey of Employment’ in New Zealand.
Online Survey Criteria
This is an online survey and among the criteria for respondents are that they should (a be people of Indian Origin (b) have arrived in New Zealand as Indian migrants (c) be of 18 years or older (d) speak fluent English and (e) be currently unemployed, seeking employment, underemployed (entry or intermediate level or be fully employed in a match that matches their qualifications and skills
Sumedha said that the Online Survey would take about 10 to 15 minutes for completion.
“We would ask you about the critical incidents in your job-hunting journey of looking for work in New Zealand. Critical incidents are simply short stories detailing positive outcomes where you found success (i.e. got a job) and negative outcomes where you faced barriers (i.e. did not get a job),” she said.
Please visit http://psych-research.massey.ac.nz under the research title ‘Indian Migrants’ Stories at Different Degrees of Employment
Survey Implications
Like all research studies, the Research undertaking of Sumedha also carries with it a few factors which are as follows: (a) Completion and submission of the survey implies consent of data provided (b) All identifiable information revealing your identity, or any organisation will be removed (c) You have the right to ask any questions about the study at any time during participation, decline to answer any question(s), and choose not to submit the questionnaire at any point (d) However, once submitted, you will not be able to alter your responses nor withdraw from the research as all responses are anonymous (e) Your data will be held in a secure file at Massey University for five years, after which it will be destroyed and (f) Upon completion of the thesis, findings will be made available online and can be accessed at https://mro.massey.ac.nz under the research title “‘Indian Migrants’ Stories at Different Degrees of Employment.”
Counselling Services
Sumedha said that anyone experiencing any unpleasant memories of job hunting should feel free to access the charitable and/or counselling services of Auckland Regional Migrant Services on (09) 6252440, Shakti Legal Advocacy and Family Social Services on 0800-742584, Migrant Action Trust on (09) 6293500 (Email: info@migrantactiontrust.org.nz), Refugees as Survivors on (09) 270 0870 and Lifeline Aotearoa on 0800-543354.
Sumedha can be contacted by email: sumedha.hariswamy.1@uni.massey.ac.nz and Professor Stuart Carr on s.c.carr@massey.ac.nz
