International Student - Skilled Work Experience (Canadian Experience Class)

[student7872014]

Hi Everyone,

I will be graduating from a university in Canada this June with a Bachelor of Science degree. I have been and still am trying to reach out to my friends and others to extend my network in the pursuit of finding a job.

I have significant research experience, and I have had summer jobs at the university. However, I'm desperate to find a one-year full-time position (in my field of study, as well as in other fields) in order to fulfill the Skilled Work Experience requirement under the Canadian Experience Class category.

My situation is that my study permit expires in July 2014. This leaves me with two options:
1) Enroll into another 4-year program to extend my study permit to remain in the country, and hope that by the end of the program I can get a job. (It would be a waste of 4 years of my life)
2) Apply for the Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWF), and try to get a job afterwards. (which to me is nothing more than gambling, as if I don't get my Skilled Work Experience by the time the PGWF expires, I will have no choice but to leave the country).

I did really enjoy my studies and I could be able to maintain a high average. However, not knowing how to get a one-year full-time job takes the joy of life out of me. It saddens me deeply enough that I feel tired most of the time.

I would really appreciate any advice/comments about how to get a one-year full-time job, or anything related to my current situation.

Thanks in advance,
Student7872014

 

[GHD1213]

How to plan your future is your own call. But I am curious that since you enjoyed the life in university, why don't you go for a post graduate study other than pursuing another 4 years degree? unless you want to do a course in a complete different field. Some provinces have master stream program which do not require work experience.

In additional, why do you think to find a full time job is a gamble? you probably have over worried. Be positive!

 

[student7872014]

Hi GHD1213,

Thank you for your response.

Would you be able to tell me which provinces have Master's stream that do not require applicants to have the Skilled Work Experience?

I think I also should have explained the situation a bit further. After getting a science degree and I was planning to apply to the Pharmacy program. It appears to be a wonderful profession, and I will most likely get a job after I graduate (assuming that I will get into the program). However, I am not sure if it is what I want to do with my life.

I have been trying to make connections over the last year-and-a-half, so that I could land on a job right after I finish school. People around me are telling me that I should start looking for a full-time employment around the end of March/the beginning of April (as most employers would post jobs to hire someone within a month or two, and I cannot start working full-time until after the final exams--the end of April).

In my case, if I decide to go with the PGWP, then I feel that if things don't work out for me and if I fail to find a job, then I would have to leave the country. I don't even know if I would be allowed to apply for a study permit to go back to school, say after staying in the country for a year with PGWP.

I am trying to stay positive and calm (as I need to be able to make mature and wise decisions), but not having a single family member who would guide or support me through the process makes me feel desperate at most times.

Student7872014

 

[iamroth]

As a student, your best option is PGWP (sometimes should be the only option). At least that's what I always saw students doing.

Since you did a 4yr course, i believe that would give you another 3yrs on PGWP. Basically by the time your PGWP will expire (in aug 2017), you would become a PR by then.

So,Get PGWP by Aug'14> work 1 year till Aug'15> Apply & get PR by Aug'16... Meanwhile your PGWP would be valid till Aug'17.

Now as an educated person you know, this is just a model. You may need few months looking for jobs, the final PR process may take couple of extra months - But this is going to be the base for your process, until they change it.

You can always come back to study, for that you would require a study permit. If you are still capable of paying your fees & you get accepted in your program - I think, that is not going to be a problem. But that is a risk - Visa officer may deny your study permit, on any base, if he feels like.

 

[GHD1213]

Google PNP Ontario, you will see master stream and other requirement.

I also agreed with iamroth, PGWP gives you 3 years time to allow you to find a job ant gain experience for immigration purpose which is most ppl going for. However, it is you who knows the best option for yourself. Best luck!

 

[student7872014]

Hi iamroth and GHD1213,

Thank you for your insightful comments and advice.

I actually will be graduating with a 3-year Bachelor of Science. Would that still give me a 3-year PGWP, or would they give me a 2-year PGWP?

I will look into Master's programs in Ontario to see if I can get in with a 3-year Bachelor of Science. If not, then I can extend my study permit for another year and then apply with a 4-year Bachelor of Science.

Although, I just checked the Processing Times for Provincial Nominee Applicants on the CIC website. It appears that if I go through the Ontario PNP and get my nomination, it will take CIC 48 months to process my application (based on the visa office I will be submitting the application). I thought Ontario PNP would fast-track the application process, but it seems to be way longer than the CEC, which is currently 13 months.

Am I missing something here?

Student 7872014

 

[GHD1213]

Hi iamroth and GHD1213,

Thank you for your insightful comments and advice.

I actually will be graduating with a 3-year Bachelor of Science. Would that still give me a 3-year PGWP, or would they give me a 2-year PGWP?

I will look into Master's programs in Ontario to see if I can get in with a 3-year Bachelor of Science. If not, then I can extend my study permit for another year and then apply with a 4-year Bachelor of Science.

Although, I just checked the Processing Times for Provincial Nominee Applicants on the CIC website. It appears that if I go through the Ontario PNP and get my nomination, it will take CIC 48 months to process my application (based on the visa office I will be submitting the application). I thought Ontario PNP would fast-track the application process, but it seems to be way longer than the CEC, which is currently 13 months.

Am I missing something here?

Student 7872014

This is CEC forum, there is a separate forum for PNP where you could find lots of info there. I am not quite familiar with PNP program and therefore dont want to give you inappropriate info re PNP.

 

[student7872014]

I posted the comment under the provincial nominee program. My apologies.

I have another question.

Say I go back to school and after a year I find a job and drop out. After getting getting a work permit and working for a year, am I eligible to apply under CEC without a PGWP?

 

[lpc19800]

I posted the comment under the provincial nominee program. My apologies.

I have another question.

Say I go back to school and after a year I find a job and drop out. After getting getting a work permit and working for a year, am I eligible to apply under CEC without a PGWP?

If you are in an eligible noc job for a year and working legally then yes, you are eligible