Training, labour and migratory trajectories of skilled Romanians in Spain: key elements explaining successful careers

Abstract

Based on a qualitative approach (30 biographical interviews and 30 life satisfaction charts), this paper aims to frame the intra-EU skilled migration patterns into the life course perspective. In addressing this broad aim, the paper focuses on reconstructing the training, labour and migratory trajectories of skilled Romanians with tertiary education acquired in Romania, with previous labour trajectories in Romania, working in Barcelona’s IT, financial and business sectors. By shaping these life trajectories from a retrospective perspective, the paper offers key elements in explaining successful training, labour and migratory careers taking into account the following principles: agency; time and space; life-span development, and the principle of linked lives.

Keywords:

• Skilled migration
• life course perspective
• Romania
• Spain

Notes

1. LSRS (Association of Romanian Students Abroad) is an NGO launched in 2008 in response to the increase of Romanian students overseas. It aims to connect former and current Romanians overseas and to involve them in participative projects. GRASP (Global Romanian Society of Young Professionals) is a similar NGO launched in 2006. Its main goal is to connect Romanian professionals overseas and to improve the image and development of Romanians though projects that involve Romanians overseas or returnees. Connecting Ideas is an informal professional network on Facebook that connects Romanians living and studying in Barcelona. It was launched in 2011 and has more than 150 members.