Success Stories - Work Experience for the Future

July 2007

Most students learn early that work experience is important for many reasons: it brings an income to help pay for school, it prepares them for the full-time work world, and perhaps most importantly it helps build up the resume to show a track record to future employers.

For international students, getting jobs during school or the summer break used to be more of a challenge because they were confined to employment on campus. That changed in the spring of 2006 with the off-campus work permit program. For a student at Camosun College in Victoria, British Columbia, it was a very welcome change.

Studying chemistry and biotechnology, Fan has been studying at Camosun since 2004 when he finished high school in China. He is thoroughly enjoying his Canadian experience, but being able to work during the summer of 2006 has been especially important.

“I am getting real work experience,” says Fan. “ I am having a wide variety of experience, learning more about working with the public and improving my English reading and writing every day.”

Like many college and university students, Fan’s summer employment has nothing to do with his field of study. He’s working for a restaurant and selling clothing, but he does not care at all.

“The money will help me with my education,” he says. “But the most important thing is that when I do go for a job in my field, I will be able to provide a reference to the employer that shows I am a reliable worker. I can add this to my resume, which also includes volunteer work at Camosun.”

Prior to the off-campus work permit, Fan went to school in the summer. By combining his school and work experiences, Fan says he feels very comfortable here and a long way from the 19-year old who left China to pursue his studies.

Read more Welcoming Workers and Students stories.