Beyond the Degree: International PhD Graduates’ Employment Journeys Through Self-Regulated Learning and Agency

Recent research has highlighted how international graduates enact different forms of agency to negotiate their employability. This study extends that line of inquiry by examining how self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies mediate the development of these forms of agency. It utilised a qualitative design, drawing on in-depth interviews with 35 international PhD graduates in Australia. The findings showed that the participants selectively deployed SRL strategies to enact distinct forms of agency. For example, seeking information, social assistance, environmental structuring, and organising and transforming supported their essential needs-response agency. The study also identified novel SRL strategies, including life-mentorship and self-satisfaction. This study contributes by integrating SRL and agency frameworks to offer a process-oriented understanding of employability as the dynamic development and mobilisation of capitals. Practically, it suggests embedding SRL-informed career support and guidance for international graduates. Limitations include the Australia-specific sample, which may limit transferability to other settings.