What Next for International Students in Canada After Graduation?

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Cyril Zachariah
Updated on Apr 13, 2023 11:52 AM IST

Confused about what to do after graduation in Canada? Listed below are some of the popular steps taken by students who have already completed their studies and graduated from Canadian universities.

What Next for International Students in Canada After Graduation?

One of the reasons why many students choose to study abroad is the several options that they have after graduating. From higher studies to work opportunities, there are many things you can do after graduating from a university in Canada.

Like every other country, Canada allows international students who have graduated from one of the Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) in any degree or level of education to take up part-time and full-time work opportunities. In addition to this, candidates also have the opportunity to take up further studies or research work after graduation in Canada.

In this article, we will discuss the different things you can do after graduating from a university in Canada in detail. Therefore, go through this article thoroughly and understand the appropriate steps for you.

Things You Can do After Graduation in Canada

If you are in the process of completing your studies in Canada or even finalising whether you want to study in Canada, then check out the following points to help determine your options after graduation in Canada.

Further Studies

A common option chosen by students, both domestic and international, you can choose to apply for further studies in the form of a certificate course or even a master's or PhD course in Canada.

For instance, If you have chosen to study for a Bachelor of Engineering at any one of the top universities in Canada, then you can choose to pursue a Master's in Engineering in your respective fields at any college in the country.

Similarly, if you feel like you need to upskill yourself or instil any other skill that is in demand in the market, then you can do so by applying for skill-oriented courses or certificate courses in different disciplines. These can help you improve your CV or resume, thus, enhancing your employment prospects subsequently.

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Apply for Work Permit or Work Permit Extension

One of the options available to freshly graduated international students in Canada is to apply for a work permit. This is crucially important for them to complete if they wish to take up different job opportunities or internships after their graduation. As per the immigration regulations in Canada for international students, all international students who wish to work after their studies in Canada will be required to apply for the appropriate Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) in the country.

Applying for a PGWP also opens up opportunities for international students in receiving their PR in Canada. A one-year work experience in Canada will bring you closer to getting your PR. Therefore, even if you are not planning to stay back in Canada but wish to work in Canada, it is imperative that you apply for a work permit in Canada.

Job Opportunities

The most chosen option among international students graduating from Canadian universities is to take up part-time or full-time jobs across different sectors or industries. Canada is one of the few countries that allow international students to take up part-time jobs while completing their studies. However, students can also choose to take up full-time jobs in their respective fields of study. Some of the fastest growing industries in Canada are always on the lookout for Indian talent to hire.

Taking up job opportunities in Canada also opens up residency options for international students which allow them to stay back in the country, settle down and earn a reputable living. This has made Canada a top choice for people looking to travel away from their families, earn a good living and return back home for their retirement.

In Canada, international students and foreign skilled migrants will be able to choose between job roles that have been made available in the National Occupancy Classification (NOC) A and B. In simple terms, NOC Skill Level A refers to job roles like doctors, architects, etc, for which you will be required to present a valid degree at a university level. Meanwhile, the NOC Skill Level B jobs refer to job opportunities like electricians, plumbers, chefs, etc, wherein applicants will be required to present a college diploma or complete training as an apprentice.

Update Your Resume

While updating your resume would not take a lot of your time, it is still recommended to keep your resumes and CVs updated and enhanced correctly. Follow the current trends and create your resume as per the job you wish to take up.

Put in your academic and professional experiences and any other relevant accolades and achievements. It should be noted that when mentioning these accolades and achievements, it is important to mention only those that are relevant to the job you are applying to.

Internships

If you have been unable to get a job, you can also take up internships in different sectors. These internships will further help you enhance your professional profile. Internships are a good way to not only improve your resume but also learn new skills that can be useful during the different jobs you may take in the future.

In some cases, graduates may be expected to have prior work experience to be qualified for a particular job role. Therefore, go through your university’s career office and simply browse through the popular job search websites.

Research or Teaching Assistantships

For those interested, taking up research projects or assistantship roles at different universities is also a viable option. This will allow students to delve deeper into their respective fields and contribute significantly to developing their fields. Most universities and colleges in Canada offer students the opportunity to take up these roles on college campuses.

Travel

Another common option chosen by students graduating from a university in Canada is to travel the country and explore new places and cultures. After years of hard work and studies, every student deserves to take a break from everything and take a breather. Studying in a new country opens up a lot more opportunities for students to explore new places, cultures and stories.

Get a Canadian Driving License

While it may seem unnecessary to apply for a Canadian driving license, having official Canadian documentation will simplify a lot of the processes involved in staying in Canada, including applying for jobs. However, attaining a Canadian driving license will be far more difficult than it is in India as the country strictly enforces the rules and regulations much more than it is in India.

Moreover, getting a driving license will open up new opportunities for you as you can then apply for part-time jobs as a delivery driver, an uber driver or any other roles that involve driving. Therefore, applying for your driving license in Canada will only open up your job opportunities in Canada.

Review Your SIN Number

Much like the social security number in the USA, applying for a Social Insurance Number or SIN is extremely important for anyone looking to work in Canada and receive benefits and services offered by the Canadian government. Therefore, it is not only important to apply for a SIN number, but it is also important to keep it safe and updated.

One of the important things to keep in mind with regard to the SIN number is that the expiry dates on the SIN document and your immigration documents should match. Currently, the immigration policies of Canada allow international students to continue working or studying, provided they have applied for renewal however, a decision could not be made before the expiry of the document.

In such situations, students can continue to work or study in the country until a decision on the renewal has been made. Once the decision has been made, students will then be required to use the new immigration document and update the expiry date on their SIN record.

Do I need to Reschedule My IELTS Exam After Graduation?

Depending on what you choose to do after graduation, especially if you decide to pursue further studies in Canada, then it is important for you to take the IELTS exam again. Since the validity of an IELTS exam is only two years, by the time you will be applying for further studies, the validity of the scores will have run its course. However, this requirement will vary depending on the steps you need to take after graduation. Therefore, we recommend that you connect with study abroad professionals or your study abroad agent who helped you travel to Canada for your higher studies.

Therefore, if you are looking for things to do after graduating from Canada, the points listed above are just a few of the many things. The more important aspect you need to keep in mind when answering the question “What do I do after graduating in Canada?” is to figure out what your next steps should be, in terms of your academic and professional future.

Need help mapping out your academic future? Register and connect with our study abroad counsellors and understand the next steps you should take to follow your dreams.

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FAQs

What should I do after graduating from a university in Canada?

There are different things that international students can do after graduating from a university in Canada, which include applying for further studies, research projects or assistantships, taking part-time or full-time jobs in the relevant fields, travelling the country, taking up internships and much more. When deciding on what to do after graduating from Canada, it is important to keep your academic and professional goals and objectives in mind.

What are the best things to do after graduating from Canadian universities?

Some of the best things to do after graduating from Canada are either apply for further studies like Masters, skill-oriented certificate courses or any research project or apply for job opportunities in the relevant fields. Both these steps will be beneficial in their own manner, however, taking job opportunities will improve your chances of getting a PR in Canada.

Can I get a PR after graduating from a university in Canada?

Yes, it is possible to get a PR after graduating from a university in Canada, provided you meet all the necessary requirements as specified by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). To enhance your chances of getting a PR in Canada, it is advisable to take up part-time or full-time jobs right after graduation as Canada has been focusing on attracting skilled migrants.

What should I do after my bachelors in Canada?

There are several things you can do after your bachelors in Canada which include furthering your studies or taking up part-time or full-time jobs. In fact, after you graduate in Canada, you can also take out some time to travel around or take up internships to enhance your professional profile. Connect with us to find out the next steps you can take to study in Canada.

What can I do after masters in Canada?

After graduating with masters in Canada, you can apply for a doctoral degree, take up research projects, assistantships or even part-time or full-time jobs. There are a number of things you can do after graduating from Canada, however, these steps should be taken after considering your academic and professional goals and objectives.

Can I apply for citizenship while studying in Canada?

While you will not be able to apply for citizenship while studying in Canada, you can apply for Permanent Residency (PR) when completing your studies in the country. However, it should be noted that those applying for PR while studying in Canada have met the strict PR requirements in Canada in order to be selected for PR.

Can I work after bachelors in Canada?

Yes, all international students are eligible to work after their bachelors in Canada, however, it should be noted that they will need a work permit to work in Canada. Working in Canada after graduating with a bachelors degree is one of the more common steps taken by international students as doing so helps improve their prospects of gaining PR in the country.

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