Canadian Immigrant - November 2023

CAREERS & EDUCATION
Getting an education is an
important step towards
preparing for work in many
fields, however, it may not be
enough as employers often require
experience as well. An internship
provides an opportunity to learn
on the job under the supervision of
individuals with experience in the
field.
Internships are similar to
cooperative education (co-op)
opportunities, but more often
take place during the summer or
even after graduation, while co-op
placements usually occur during the
academic year. Internships can vary
in length and are typically longer
than co-op placements. Some
internships are paid while others
aren’t, depending on the field and
the organization. They can be with
a range of different organizations:
small or large, with businesses,
nonprofits or the government. Even
18
As an internationally trained professional,
The you CPA don’t designation have to start is from scratch on
Canada’s
earning your
globally-recognized
designation. CPA Alberta
has established agreements with
accounting
professional
and
accounting
business
bodies around
credential the globe, that allowing provides you to streamline the
professionals process becoming with the a skills CPA in Alberta.
and acumen to be leaders,
decision Build makers, your previous managers, hard-earned
entrepreneurs credentials and and open more. up all the
possibilities.
CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 20 Issue 5 | 2023
if it isn’t a requirement, here are
some reasons you may still want
to get an internship and how to go
about finding one.
Benefits of an internship
An internship provides an excellent
opportunity to go beyond the theory
and apply what you have learned in
the workplace environment. It may
even increase your motivation to
learn as you start to understand how
you are applying what you learn in
class. Is this something you enjoy
doing? Can you see yourself doing
this for a living?
Internships also provide an
opportunity to gain relevant
experience in your field of study
which can help you with future job
applications. An internship typically
does not require much experience,
if at all, and the expectations are
typically lower than they would be
for an employee. While it may be
The CPA designation is your
passport to a world of
career opportunities
Learn more
HIGHER LEARNING
Why internships matter and how you can find one
Seize opportunities to gain meaningful, practical work experience
tempting to forgo an opportunity
that is low paid or unpaid, remember
that you are getting free hands-on
education that will help you access
paid employment in the future. If
you do not already have experience
working in Canada, this can also give
you some insight into the Canadian
workplace culture. An internship is
something that you can add to your
resume.
Through an internship, you will
broaden your network by meeting
people in your field, you may gain
references for future employment,
and you may be the first to know
about job openings for which you
can apply. It provides an excellent
opportunity for you to showcase
your skills, knowledge, attitude and
work ethic and if you make a good
impression, you may be offered a job
in the future.
How to find an internship
If doing an internship is a
requirement to graduate from your
academic program, make sure
you consult with your academic
department first to determine the
type of internship that you need. Find
out if your educational institution
has a process to help you find an
internship or if searching for one is
something you must do on your own.
If it is the latter, you will need to make
sure that the opportunities for which
you are applying are recognized and
approved by your program. If you
are not required to complete an
internship but are choosing to apply
for one, determine your availability,
and the type of internships and the
organizations of interest.
Connect with people in your
network, including your professors
to see if they are aware of any
opportunities. Your school may have
a Career Centre that lists internships,
and they may also recommend
some external listings sites as well.
Many schools also offer support
with preparing your resume and
cover letter, and practice interviews.
Be sure to ask if these supports are
available at your school.
If you are interested in an
internship within a particular
organization, you may want to
contact them directly. Some
organizations have more formalized
internship programs with specific
application dates, while others
are more flexible and may take on
students at different times of the
year, based on their capacity.
Make the best of the internship
You may not be getting paid or
the level of responsibility may not be
what you expected; however, if you
think you might like to work in this
field and/or for the organization, do
not underestimate the importance
of making a positive impression. This
includes showing up on time, being
helpful to others, being receptive
to constructive feedback, and
working hard to show your worth
as a potential employee. Internships
are not only opportunities for you
to gain experience and learn; they
also give employers a chance to see
if you would be a good fit for their
organization. There are never any
guarantees, but if you impress the
employer, you may land your first
job in your field.
Some internships turn out well,
while others may not; however,
even a negative experience can be
helpful. You may learn that the field
or job you were pursuing is not right
for you or that the organization is
not a good fit. Positive or negative,
the opportunity will help position
you for the future, whether that is
to continue to pursue your current
field and access employment, or
to rethink your career direction
and explore options that are better
suited to you.
Geneviève Beaupré and Susan Qadeer have
extensive experience working in university and
college settings, providing career, academic
and personal counselling to international and
immigrant students.