Would you like to work and study in Canada at the same time? How do you gain working experience while being an international student in Canada? Here is all you need to know.
Vancouver is considered one of the most competitive job markets in Canada. As an international student speaking English as a second language, have you ever doubted if you are able to land a job in Vancouver?
Work and Study in Canada – Part 1: You can work up to 20 hours per week while holding a Study Permit.
According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), if you are holding a study permit while enrolled in full-time courses in a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), you are eligible to work 20 hours off-campus or on-campus per week. This condition is perfect for junior year college students who want to better experience the local lifestyle and pick up new skills.
While working part time, students can gain transferable skills such as customer service, time management, and public speaking; these skills will strengthen and better prepare you for better positions in the future.
Work and Study in Canada – Part 2: You can work up to 40 hours per week while on a Co-op work term.
Co-op is an optional program where students can explore different career options by altering between study semesters and paid resume-boosting work semesters. It is an exclusive program, funded by the government of Canada to support employers and students. Part of Co-op students’ income is paid by the government.
To be Co-op eligible, students need to enrol in Co-op curriculums. For example, the school program includes Co-op opportunities or the student has a letter from the school indicating the student needs to complete work placements to get their degree (CIC). At Create Career College, we offer Hospitality Management Diploma/Certificate, Business Administration Diploma with co-op options.
At Create Career College, with the career coaching services from our advisors, we are proud to say we offer students 100% practicum placement. Students who are in the Co-op curriculum can have 16- 48 weeks of paid work experience in Canada. The college also organizes hotel tours for the Hospitality Management program candidates so that students can learn about the different service sectors within a hotel. For Business Administration Diploma candidates, the instructor uses real-world cases and teaches students to use official softwares which better equip them for the job market.
3 Tips on landing a job in Vancouver:
- Work harder on your Co-op semester, the employer might give you a return offer
- Did you know that Co-op students have high chances of landing a job? From the employers’ perspective, re-hiring their Co-op students would save their expense on training and removing the need to re-onboard them.
- Use LinkedIn to expand your network and connect with recruiters
- LinkedIn is a free job searching and networking tool. It is especially recommended for business students to set up their profile on LinkedIn, read about the recruiter, and do small due diligence on the upcoming interviewer before the actual interview.
- ‘You will miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.’ Don’t be afraid to apply.
- Although the job market is very competitive in Canada, you should not give up. It is not rare for 100 candidates to fight for 1 job; however, you have no chance at all if you do not apply for it. Therefore, read about the job description, tailor your resume and just apply for it.
Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada
With focus and motivation, it is possible to find the right job in Canada for yourself as an International Student. However, it is also important to plan thoroughly so you can accomplish this crucial part of the moving process.