Finding Your Way Professionally

When Denise Zhiwen Zhang graduated with a bachelor's degree in accounting from the John Molson School of Business, she stepped into a role as a senior tax accountant with the firm Ernst & Young.

Zhang, who came to study in Montreal from China, found support in her job search through Concordia University’s International Students Programs Initiative for business students. “I had a lot of help, from mock interviews to personal discussions on career planning,” she says. “The advisors really cared.”

Any Concordian can benefit from the same support by visiting Career and Planning Services (CAPS). CAPS’s mission is to empower you to maximize your career potential, by helping you research careers, prepare a job search strategy, get your resumé in good shape, and connect with employers.

At Concordia, there’s an emphasis on practical learning. Many students take advantage of Co-op to complete internships with companies like Bombardier, IBM and Pfizer. Co-op is a great way invest in your professional skills and building up your network of contacts, during your degree.

If you’re interested in becoming an entrepreneur, District 3 Innovation Centre (D3) is a valuable resource. Concordia students use D3 to connect with professionals and pitch their ideas, ultimately working towards building their own company.

Graduating international students are eligible to apply for a permit to work for up to three years in Canada. Concordia’s International Students Office regularly holds information sessions on how to get the work-related immigration documentation you need.