Career Resources for International Students

The Career Centre and Laurier International work closely together to provide services to international students at Laurier. As an international student, you may recognize that you may have some specific concerns while considering making career decisions and preparing yourself for the Canadian workplace.

Specialized Services and Resources

• A dedicated career consultant who focuses on meeting the needs of international students.
• One-on-one appointments and tailored workshops.
• Drop-in appointments in partnership with Laurier International.
• Additional career resources for international students.
• An on-campus work experience program (ISWEP).
• Career insights from Laurier alumni

Who to contact about working in Canada

Connect with the Career Centre about:

• Assessing your interests, skills and values and learn to communicate them successfully.
• Finding a volunteer opportunity in Canada.
• Learning job search strategies, including tapping into the hidden job market.
• Exploring full-time, contract, part-time and summer job opportunities posted for Laurier students and alumni in Navigator.
• Finding an inclusive employer.
• Creating an effective resumé and cover letter. 
• Preparing for a job interview and understanding your rights in an interview.
• Researching and preparing for future academic and career options, including graduate school.

Contact Laurier International about:

• Social Insurance Number cards
• Government rules about working on campus
• Government rules about working off campus
• Government rules about working after graduation
• Permanent residency
• Spousal work in Canada

Career Insights from Alumni

Shivam Punj, Senior Product Manager at Equinix

"My first two years at Laurier were almost entirely volunteer-based. Those experiences opened doors to paid roles later because I built trust, skills, and connections." His paid positions included International Student Leader, ISWEP Student Coordinator, Teaching Assistant, and more. With this experience, he developed communication skills, professional confidence, and a strong network, contributing to further advancement in his career. 

Oyindamola Tokun, Academic and Student Success Coordinator at Toronto Metropolitan International College

Oyinda emphasizes the importance of gaining experience early and staying open to opportunities. "You can’t just wait until graduation. Employers look for skills and experience, so start building those as early as possible." She encourages students to attend career fairs, volunteer, network, and explore different career paths throughout their studies. 

Reflecting on her undergraduate volunteer experience, she shared, "I still include my undergraduate volunteer work on my resumé because it gave me unique skills that I continue to use today."

Jaimin Shah, Environmental Scientist at WSP Canada

Jimin’s transition into the Canadian job market was not immediate after graduation, as he spent six months searching for a role in his field while working a retail job. Rather than viewing this as a setback, he saw it as part of the process, emphasizing the importance of persistence and staying proactive. "No one is going to hand you a job; you have to keep applying, keep connecting, and put yourself out there," he explains. 

For students looking to start their own career journey, Jaimin’s advice is simple: don’t be afraid to take initiative. Of particular value was interview support: "The mock interviews felt like real-life scenarios, and the feedback helped me understand exactly what employers are looking for."  

Gursimar Sachar, Senior Tax Analyst at Manulife

Gursimar credits the application support he received from career consultants and volunteer peers with helping him secure positions. Although he initially felt his employment experience was limited as an international student, he successfully developed clear, targeted applications by highlighting his academic, volunteer, and campus experiences.   

Gursimar emphasizes that "Being an international student shows resilience and adaptability, so lean into it."