The Value of Work Experience for Studying in Canada

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Saturday — December 15, 2012

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When talking to students who want to study in Canada, I hear these words so many times, “I don’t want to waste my time.” There is this concept that working between degrees is a waste of time. The idea is that one should step immediately from one degree into another.

If you are planning on studying in Canada, work experience is never a waste of time. In fact working before studying in Canada is probably to your advantage. The fact is that if you want to take an MBA in Canada, you must have a minimum of 2 years work experience in a managerial position prior to being accepted to an MBA study program in Canada.

If you are planning on studying at the Master’s level in Applied Computer Engineering, some universities also ask that you have some work experience prior to applying for admission to study in their programs.

Even if work experience is not required for admission to your study program in Canada, work experience is still valuable. Your work experience can give you insight into the theories and materials you study while in Canada. If you are doing a Master’s or PhD it also gives you added depth to your thesis or helps you contribute to the general academic milieu of studying at the graduate level.

After you graduate from a study program in Canada, if you have work experience to add to your resume along with your degree or certificate, then that only increases your employability.

Therefore do not underestimate the value of work experience prior to continuing your studies. It might be the very ticket you need to get accepted to a study program in your desired field. If you have finished your study program here in Pakistan and are waiting to get accepted to a study program in Canada, go out and get a job, working for a few months can only help you and is never a waste of time.