Top Study Programs in Canada for International Students

Key Insights on International Education and Career Alignment in Canada

A recent study by Statistics Canada sheds light on the career alignment of international students who pursued higher education in Canada and later became permanent residents (PRs) between 2011 and 2021. The research highlights significant differences in how well different fields of study translate into job opportunities related to those studies.

Healthcare Leads in Study-to-Job Alignment

The study reveals that international students who graduated in healthcare fields enjoy the highest level of career alignment, with 56.7% finding jobs directly related to their studies. This contrasts sharply with business graduates, who have the lowest alignment at 35.2%, and STEM graduates, who fall in the middle with 43%.

Challenges for STEM and Business Graduates

Interestingly, students in STEM and business programs below the bachelor’s level experience the least job alignment. However, STEM graduates, despite lower alignment rates, benefit from the lowest unemployment rates and often secure medium- or high-skilled jobs, even outside their immediate field.

The Impact of Canadian Education

The research underscores the value of completing education in Canada, as these students are more likely to secure jobs related to their studies compared to those who studied abroad. This trend is most pronounced among STEM graduates, who see a 16% improvement in alignment, while healthcare graduates see a modest 1.5% increase.

Field-Specific Trends

Business graduates frequently transition to unrelated fields, with nearly half taking on roles in general or administrative areas. In contrast, healthcare graduates generally remain in health-related roles, showcasing the strongest consistency in job alignment.

Educational Attainment and Job Alignment

Higher educational attainment generally correlates with better job alignment, especially for STEM and business graduates. However, for healthcare graduates, a bachelor’s degree provides the best job match (62.1%), while further education slightly decreases alignment (51.6%).

Advantages of Canadian Experience

The study also highlights that international students who complete their education in Canada before gaining PR status have better job alignment compared to immigrants without Canadian education. This indicates that Canadian educational experience plays a crucial role in successfully transitioning into related careers.

Conclusion

• Healthcare graduates exhibit the highest study-to-job match.
• STEM graduates enjoy strong job outcomes, often beyond their field of study.
• Business graduates are most likely to switch fields.
• Completing education in Canada enhances the likelihood of finding a related job.
• For healthcare studies, a bachelor’s degree offers the optimal alignment.

This analysis provides a nuanced understanding of how international education in Canada affects career trajectories, offering valuable insights for prospective students and policymakers alike.