• Home News Education Agents Optimistic of Online Recruitment in Pandemic World, Yet Caution Remains

Education Agents Optimistic of Online Recruitment in Pandemic World, Yet Caution Remains

Posted 11 Jan-2021 03:05 PM by Arushi | 1101


63% are highly optimistic of current online recruitment efforts but many are still grappling with the transition from a largely face-to-face business to online platforms, according to the latest report from international education provider M Square Media (MSM) 


At a Glance:

  • 65% of agents recruited with a mix of online and offline, while 35% recruited completely online

  • Most of the respondents - or 61.7% - recruited to institutions in Canada, followed by 22.3% to the United Kingdom 

  • 63% are highly optimistic of their current online recruitment efforts

  • Agents maintain a healthy level of caution. Beyond the need to navigate challenges in promoting institutions and providing student services at par with pre-pandemic levels, 84% worry over student entry restrictions due to COVID-19, 52.8% over financial difficulties due to unemployment, and 50.7% with the movement to online learning. 


(January 2021) A new report conducted among education agents in countries around the world show that amid a badly disrupted revenue model, agents are optimistic of recruiting students online during COVID-19. 


Surveying 775 agents located in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Colombia, Mexico, South Korea, Turkey, and other countries worldwide, the report œOnline Recruitment: Agent Toolkit, Challenges and Gaps to Fill from international education provider M Square Media (MSM) showed that 63.4% of respondents are highly optimistic about their recruitment in the next 12 months, followed by 23% who are somewhat optimistic and 13% who are neutral. 


Of the survey participants, 65% use a mix of online and offline tools while the remaining 35% went completely online. Email topped the list as used by 713 or 92% of respondents, followed by phone calls (691 or 89.2%), social media (618 or 79.7%), and mailed-in or distributed flyers and materials (310 or 40%). 


A majority of the respondents recruited students to Canada (478 respondents or 61.7%), while others recruited to the United Kingdom (173 or 22.3%), Australia (62 or 8%), United States (17 or 2.2%) and other countries (45 or 5.8%).


When asked about the source of their optimism in online recruitment, 594 respondents or 76.6% cited the lifting of travel restrictions, 449 or 57.9% mentioned the COVID-19 vaccine. Interestingly, 274 respondents or 35.4% pointed to automation platforms for recruitment. 

However, in an industry built on face-to-face interactions, old habits die hard. 


œAgency office appointments, print media, and other traditional methods of working with students still have not made a full exit in the era of limited mobility, wrote MSM, which surveyed the agents in late 2020. 


The agent-student dynamic, according to the report, has always involved physical visits and face-to-face counselling to finalize application and registration plans. 


MSM recommended ways to address the pushback, including adopting a tech recruitment platform that automates agent tasks and streamlines application processing with a high level of accuracy and security. 


In June 2020, MSM surveyed agents at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that a majority of respondents (84.8%) are experiencing a loss of income. The pandemic has posed new and diverse challenges for education agents, including mobility restrictions, hesitation from students and their families, and the cancellation of events and edufairs. 


MSM builds global and in-country offices, manages agent networks, and provides business development and marketing solutions to higher education institutions. It currently has more than 40 partner institutions in Canada, the US, the UK, Europe, and other key markets worldwide. This year, MSM became a finalist in the PIEoneer of the Year category of the prestigious PIEoneer Awards 2020. The annual award is organized by The PIE, an independent media, recruitment, and events website in international education that connects its global community of professionals. 


About M Square Media 

M Square Media (MSM) is a leading service provider in international education and other sectors. We offer a wide range of global business solutions to clients including, international business development, market research and deep opportunity analysis, sourcing sales channel partnerships, market entry strategy, market expansion, lead generation, brand development, finance and accounting management, payroll and expense management, tax compliance and corporate administrative services, staff recruitment, local representation, HR support, and ready-to-go office space. Read more about MSM at https://msquaremedia.com/

Contact Information 

MSM Communications Group 

Phone: +1 250 262 6686 

Email: news@msquaremedia.com 


Tags:

Student Recruitment, Covid 19 Pandemic, Online Student Recruitment Low Cost Press Release Distribution Websites, Free Press Release Distribution, Free Press Release Service, Free Press Release Distribution Website, Free Press Release Distribution Services

Company Information

Company Name Contact Person Contact Number Email Id Website Address
M Square Media

Other Education Related Press Release News

CISSP Certification: Vital Step Towards a Successful Career Free

CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional which is an information security certification offered by the (ISC)² also known as Inter...Read More


American Lung Associations 15th Annual Fight For Air Climb Boston Goes Virtual Due to COVID-19 Prec Free

American Lung Association?s 15th Annual Fight For Air Climb Boston Goes Virtual Due to COVID-19 PrecautionsEvent to go Virtual While Highlighting Impo...Read More


Connection, Creativity and Experience: Waldorf Education Press Release Free

Educating through “Head, Heart and Hands” has been a hallmark of Waldorf educators for decades. The idea behind the phrase is that learning sh...Read More


Iowa to participate in national Graduate Together primetime special honoring the high school class of 2020 Free

The Iowa Department of Education today announced its participation in a nationwide primetime graduation special honoring the class of 2020.  The ...Read More


Improvement of +14 Points in Reading and +7 Points in English Lands Homeschooled Senior, Garrison Lowery, a 25 Act Composite Score Press Release Free

Speaking with student Garrison Lowery, one immediately hears resounding drive and motivation in his voice. Then you learn this is a young man with...Read More