Vägen in till svenskt arbetsliv : En kvalitativ studie om utlandsfödda akademikers upplevelse av processen in i svenskt arbetsliv

The purpose of the study is to investigate foreign-born academics experiences of the process into the Swedish labor market. The intention is to examine it in relation to the factors affecting language, integration and evaluation of education. The purpose leads to the following research questions; How is the process of getting into the Swedish labor market percieved by foreign-born academics? What factors are perceived to affect their entry into the Swedish labor market? In order to answer our questions, a qualitative method is used in the form of six semi-structured interviews. To understand and explain the phenomena that is explored the theoretical framework consists of a combination of different theories. It is a combination of socio-cultural perpectives, Linells (1978) theories of language and communication, and Foucaults (1982) power perspective. Based on the interview material four themes was constructed; valuation of education, the importance of language, the importance of integration and who shows the way? Inspite of their validated education the interviewees seemed to undervalue their professional skills and knowledge. This resulted in that they sought out jobs where they are considered to be overqualified. Because of the lack of knowledge in the Swedish language they felt that they were excluded from the labor market. All interviewees also felt that they would feel more connected to the Swedish society if they had a job. The material also showed that the guidance of authorities and private contacts contributed to the process into the Swedish labor market. Conclusions drawn from the results and the analysis was that experiences varied but that they because of informal reasons were discriminated in the Swedish labor market