For a Job in Canada, which is More Important? A Degree or Work Experience?
International students are often concerned whether the Canadian university or college where they take their degree will land them a job. This could be because degrees outrank experience in their home country. But in Canada, the importance of work experience versus a degree when looking for a job can vary depending on the industry, the specific role, and the employer's preferences. In many cases, both work experience and a degree can be important factors, and their relative significance may differ from one job to another.
Here are some considerations:
Entry-Level Positions
For entry-level positions, especially in fields where specific technical knowledge or skills are required, having a relevant degree can be crucial. However, even for entry-level roles, employers often value candidates who have gained practical experience through internships, co-op programs, or part-time jobs related to their field of study. Fortunately, Canadian universities and colleges design their programs with an industry focus. They want their students to get jobs so they have incorporated internships and work experience programs into the degrees and diplomas they offer to national and international students.
Just to give you some examples, with University of Alberta Business graduates, 95% of them will be employed within 3 months of graduation and for those that take a co-op program, 100% are employed within the first 3 months, earning an average salary of $62,000 and $67,000 respectively. Similarly, with the University of Waterloo, 95% of their business students are employed within 6 months of graduation.
Even at the college level, 43% of NAIT’s students are employed before they graduate and 32% find employment within 3 months. Going to a smaller university like St Francis Xavier University can also prove worthwhile as 87% of their students find employment within the first 6 months. This is a very good performance in a province that is not highly industrialized. Student satisfaction at St Francis Xavier is 93% so this little university has a lot going for it.
All these employment rates are calculated on both national and international student statistics.
Mid-Level to Senior Positions
As individuals progress in their careers, work experience tends to become increasingly important. Employers often prioritize candidates with a proven track record of success, demonstrated through their work history and achievements. However, having a relevant degree can still be beneficial, particularly for roles that require specialized knowledge or advanced skills.
That means students need to keep their resumes up to date with all relevant employment and skills learned.
Changing Careers or Industries
In some cases, particularly when changing careers or industries, relevant work experience may carry more weight than a degree. Employers may place greater emphasis on candidates' transferable skills, demonstrated abilities, and practical experience in the new field. Also, it is important for international students to note, that many people in Canada obtain their second degree while working full-time. They take further designations part-time or on weekends. For example, some Canadian universities, like UNBC, offer their MBA program on weekends at their Vancouver campus so students can study while working full-time. It’s a great way to build extra knowledge and skill-sets for the new career.
Specific Professions
In certain professions, such as healthcare, engineering, and law, having the necessary educational credentials (e.g., medical degree, engineering degree, law degree) is typically a prerequisite for licensure and practice. However, even in these fields, practical experience gained through internships, residencies, or articling positions is highly valued. Every province will have their licensing societies where students are licensed after graduation. It is worthy to note, for international students, depending on the licensing society, they may need to obtain their license once they get their Permanent Residency. International students can still work, get a salary and apply for their PR but the license might come after the PR. Examples of licensing societies are APEGA and CPSO in Alberta and Ontario.
Helen Khan who is the In-Country Representative in Pakistan for several Canadian universities has her own story to tell of when she graduated from the prestigious University of Alberta. She graduated with a Sociology degree many years ago when Co-op programs were non-existent. She proudly went in search of meaningful employment, degree in hand. But each employment office asked her what work experience she had in the sociology field. She replied, “None, I have been in school all of my life.” Sadly, it took her a long time to get a job because she didn’t have relevant work experience. Degrees and other experiences and credentials go hand in hand in the employment market.
Ultimately, the ideal candidate often possesses a combination of relevant education and practical experience. Additionally, factors such as certifications, professional development courses, and industry-specific training can further enhance a candidate's qualifications and competitiveness in the job market.