The key to success for foreign students in Canada

Did you know that you can get a job faster in Canada if you study in the fields of technology, cybersecurity and health, and that you may even be able to apply for permanent residency? How? With a strategic choice of program.

Today, we present the hypothetical case of Matthew and Sophia, two students who, with their academic choice, will demonstrate the impact of aligning or not aligning vocation with Canadian labor demand in 2025. Read with me to the end and draw your conclusions - let's get started!

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Studying careers with high or low labor demand?

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For an immigrant, choosing a career in Canada is not as easy as you might think. It all depends on the needs of the country, as there are specific areas in crisis due to lack of qualified personnel. 

Let's look at these two stories (with fictitious names) that illustrate the impact of a career choice with and without job demand.

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Case 1. Mateo studies a career with no or low labor demand.

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Mateo, a Visual Arts graduate from the Universidad Central de Venezuela, came to Canada to pursue another undergraduate degree, but this time in literature. His passion for intellectual knowledge led him to graduate with honors from the prestigious University of Toronto. He fell in love with the country and opted to apply for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) to be able to work legally, but he faced a difficulty he did not expect: 6 months after graduating there were no companies too interested in hiring him. 

The harsh reality led him to underemployment, taking temporary and low-wage jobs that did not correspond to his profession. In the long run, this lack of experience in an in-demand field directly impacted his path to permanent residency. His immigration documents expired and he could no longer sustain himself as a temporary resident. Mateo had to return to Venezuela with his two bachelor's degrees.

Careers in the arts or humanities are valuable, but offer fewer job opportunities in Canada compared to fields such as STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs) or health. This meant that, despite having the famous PGWP, she found it almost impossible to find a skilled job in her field.

Should Mateo have studied another career? Yes, Mateo should have followed the logical thread of his previous studies. Instead of pursuing another undergraduate degree, his strategy should have been to pursue a master's degree to enhance his bachelor's degree. This decision requires knowledge of the Canadian educational system and it is best to consult with a vocational expert. 

At Immiland Education, we advise international students every year to help them understand what studies they should choose if they want to succeed academically, in the workplace and in immigration in Canada. You can contact us at this link to answer your questions.

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Case 2: Sofia is studying a career with high labor demand.

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Sofia, a Colombian student, left her homeland with a clear objective: to study in Canada to settle permanently. Unlike Mateo, her first step was not to choose a career and university, but to research the Canadian job market. She realized that careers in technology and cybersecurity were in high demand and had great potential for professional growth and stabilization in Canada.

He started looking up the key words in Canadian immigration by study and how to get permanent residency, and found that the country has a direct entry system, known as Express Entry, which offers programs such as the Canadian Experience Class, which requires at least one year of qualifying work experience in Canada obtained after graduation and with a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Therefore, she made sure that her career was the right one. 

She had her doubts and chose to consult with our team of vocational advisors, who guided her in choosing not only the career that was in demand, but also the most suitable province for her profile. Sofia demonstrated a CLB 5 level in French, a skill appreciated by the Canadian government and rewarded with more chances of obtaining the PR. In the end, she chose to study Information Technology Solutions at Humber College.

Sofia is currently working at a prestigious technology company in central Ontario and will receive her permanent resident visa in a few days. 

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Why does a high-demand career work?

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It all comes down to immigration continuity. When studying a career in a high-demand field, an immigrant can go through three key stages:

1. Gain work experience: once you graduate, you can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which authorizes you to work in any sector, without employer restrictions. By having an in-demand career, it will be easier for you to get a qualified job.
2. Earn points for immigration: the work experience you accumulate with your PGWP is vital for immigration programs such as Express Entry. These programs award more points to candidates with experience in professions that Canada needs.
3. Securing permanent residency: skilled employment in an in-demand profession significantly increases the chances of being nominated by a province through the Provincial Nomination Programs (PNP). A provincial nomination virtually guarantees permanent residency.

Choosing an in-demand career is a critical strategy. Many visa candidates can have the success they are looking for in Canada if they make sure they have a plan. This is our mission at Immiland Education: to advise international students to choose the academic program and province that best suits their profile and enable them to stay in Canada as permanent residents.

Have you already chosen your career or do you need guidance? If you need help, schedule a free free appointment and we will be happy to provide you with educational and vocational counseling. 

I hope this topic will support you in your choice. Much success in your career, see you soon!

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With love, 

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Immiland Education