- Jun 6, 2010
- 443
- Category........
- PNP
- Visa Office......
- Buffalo
- NOC Code......
- 2133
- Job Offer........
- Yes
- Pre-Assessed..
- Yes
- App. Filed.......
- 18-Jan-2011 (Buffalo)
- Doc's Request.
- N/A
- Nomination.....
- 26-Nov-2010
- AOR Received.
- 21-Jul-2011 (Email)
- IELTS Request
- N/A
- File Transfer...
- N/A
- Med's Request
- 25-Jul-2011 (Reg. Mail)
- Med's Done....
- 03-Aug-2011
- Interview........
- N/A
- Passport Req..
- 08-Sep-2011 (Email)
- VISA ISSUED...
- 20-Sep-2011 (Buffalo)
- LANDED..........
- 20-Sep-2011 (Niagara)
I've seen people wondering if they can secure a decent job after completing post-secondary school in Canada as an international student or a new immigrant. Many, having completed undergrad degree from their home country, think that they can easily secure a good job if they somehow finish a post-grad (i.e. M. Eng) degree in Canada. I'm not saying that it's absurd; but it won't be easy either. Why? Explained later.
I came to Canada back in 2005, did my undergrad in Electrical Eng with co-op option and am working full-time with one of my previous co-op employers. In school, we were taught well from first year how to write resumes, apply for jobs and nail interviews. I probably faced 15~20 interviews (via phone, face-to-face, skype) during my co-op times. It's a continuous process from first year to the last that a student learns and deploys his/her skills (writing resume/cover letter/portfolio, making contacts etc.) for a job application. Now, put yourself in this scenario with a foreign degree/foreign experience/Canadian post-grad degree competing with other Canadian/non-Canadian graduates.
From my experience, for new grad job opportunities, Canadian employers prefer applicants in the following order:
[1] Graduates/post-graduates from Canadian schools with previous satisfying job experience with same employer
[2] Graduates/post-graduates from Canadian schools with similar/related job experience in Canada
[3] Graduates/post-graduates from Canadian schools with other job experiences and/or related research work
[4] Graduates/post-graduates from Canadian schools with similar/related job experience outside Canada
[5] Graduates/post-graduates from Canadian schools with no job experience but having outstanding academic results/research work
For example, if you're thinking of doing an M. Eng at a university or a post-grad diploma at a college w/o any prior job experience; you don't even make into the above list. Because M. Eng normally doesn't offer research work or co-op placements. Therefore, I said in the beginning that it's not easy to get a decent job even after finishing any Canadian degree. However, at the end, it all depends on how you perform and shine at an interview.
Now, you should consider few things before applying for post-grad studies in Canada:
I hope it will help you understand better how the job market works specially in case of hiring new/fresh graduates. Questions and comments are appreciated. Thanks.
I came to Canada back in 2005, did my undergrad in Electrical Eng with co-op option and am working full-time with one of my previous co-op employers. In school, we were taught well from first year how to write resumes, apply for jobs and nail interviews. I probably faced 15~20 interviews (via phone, face-to-face, skype) during my co-op times. It's a continuous process from first year to the last that a student learns and deploys his/her skills (writing resume/cover letter/portfolio, making contacts etc.) for a job application. Now, put yourself in this scenario with a foreign degree/foreign experience/Canadian post-grad degree competing with other Canadian/non-Canadian graduates.
From my experience, for new grad job opportunities, Canadian employers prefer applicants in the following order:
[1] Graduates/post-graduates from Canadian schools with previous satisfying job experience with same employer
[2] Graduates/post-graduates from Canadian schools with similar/related job experience in Canada
[3] Graduates/post-graduates from Canadian schools with other job experiences and/or related research work
[4] Graduates/post-graduates from Canadian schools with similar/related job experience outside Canada
[5] Graduates/post-graduates from Canadian schools with no job experience but having outstanding academic results/research work
For example, if you're thinking of doing an M. Eng at a university or a post-grad diploma at a college w/o any prior job experience; you don't even make into the above list. Because M. Eng normally doesn't offer research work or co-op placements. Therefore, I said in the beginning that it's not easy to get a decent job even after finishing any Canadian degree. However, at the end, it all depends on how you perform and shine at an interview.
Now, you should consider few things before applying for post-grad studies in Canada:
- A university degree is always superior and more flexible to a college diploma
- A research-based Masters program is always valued more over a course-based one
- If you researched/published papers/worked in specific field in other countries; try to stick to it in choosing your Masters program
- Always go for any co-op/internship opportunities that the program offers
I hope it will help you understand better how the job market works specially in case of hiring new/fresh graduates. Questions and comments are appreciated. Thanks.