Job Opportunities for Students and Graduates in Canada

If you are studying for a Masters in Canada, you may be allowed to work while you study and even after you graduate. The rules depend on your study permit, the type of work, and the institution you attend. It’s useful to know the work rules before you start your Masters so you can plan your studies, budget, and schedule effectively.

Whether you already live in Canada or are moving there to study, earning some extra money can help with living costs. Many students do this by working part-time during their Masters.

The first step is knowing what kind of work you can do. International students need a study permit and a Social Insurance Number (SIN) . You must be a full-time student, and your course must last at least six months to work off-campus. The work conditions are usually printed on your permit.

What kind of work can you do?

On-campus jobs

You can work anywhere on your university campus. Jobs include assisting in libraries, teaching, working in cafés, or even running a small business on campus if allowed. Research-related roles may allow work at other campuses.

Off-campus jobs

There is more variety when looking for work outside the campus. Opportunities are more varied. Many students take casual jobs in shops, restaurants, or delivery work. If possible, try to find work related to your field of study. It looks better on your CV than stacking shelves, although that can pay the bills.

How can you search for a job?

On-campus jobs

Check your university’s job portal or notice boards. You can also contact faculty members directly if you want research-related work.

Off-campus jobs

Looking for off-campus jobs is just as straight forward. You can look at the Government of Canada’s Job Bank where you can find jobs listed according to your needs. Another option is looking at other job listing websites like Indeed or canadajobs.com.

If you’re a home student, you can go straight from study to work without any restrictions. However, as an international student, you need a work permit to be able to work full-time.

If you’ve completed your studies, you can apply for the post-graduation work permit (PGWP). This will allow you to live and work in Canada after your studies. The amount of time you’ll be allowed depends on the duration of your course:

• Courses under eight months are not eligible for a PGWP.

• Courses of eight months or longer are usually eligible for a PGWP of up to three years. This does not apply to Postgraduate Certificates or Diplomas.

You have up to 180 days after graduating to apply. The cost is around CAD$255 and processing can take up to 145 days. Make sure you apply before your study permit expires. You can work full-time while waiting for your PGWP to be approved. Extending a PGWP is generally not possible unless specifically told by the authorities, and you would need a different work permit to continue working afterwards. The Government of Canada has an online tool to help you find out which type of work permit you need.

How can you search for a job post-graduation?

Finding work after your Masters is similar to looking for off-campus jobs while studying. Use the Canadian government’s Job Bank, canandajobs.com, or Indeed and LinkedIn which are popular worldwide.