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I am completing my (2-year) Master's degree in Canada and would like to do an internship in Canada after my Master's degree to see if I would like to continue into industry or instead go back to doing a PhD.

I initially planned to do an internship in Canada between my first and second year of studies but my study permit disallowed full-time work. Now, when I view internship postings online, I see that most of them specify the condition that I must be a "student currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program" or the like. Note that I am looking specifically for research-based or graduate-level internships (not PEY, not co-op).

Given that this clause is present on all Canadian internship postings that were pertinent to me, will companies accept an application from someone who would have graduated by the time they start the internship?

Edit: I will be legally allowed to work for any company after I finish my studies, but cannot work full-time during my degree, hence why I am looking to see if I can do an internship after my studies conclude.

I am also not looking for legal/immigration advice. Mostly wondering if there were others like me, who managed to get an internship offer after graduating in Canada, despite the "currently enrolled" requirement, or if there is someone who knows more about the internship process from behind-the-scenes.

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    Could someone clarify the downvotes? I wasn't able to find an answer to this question anywhere else. – oxat Feb 16 at 13:13
  • The career advise office at my university did not know the answer to this question. – oxat Feb 16 at 14:19
  • I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because ask this on the EXPATRIATES site. Good luck. – Fattie Feb 16 at 16:24
  • @Fattie A post-graduate work permit will allow me to work after I finish my studies for any company that I want, without restrictions. I was wondering whether employers will hire me despite me having finished my masters, which is why I didn't post this on the EXPATRIATES site. – oxat Feb 16 at 16:34
  • fair enough ! good luck – Fattie Feb 16 at 16:37
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Depends on the company, but some will.

I'm in Canada too, when we graduated from MSC, I went straight into my full time job, while my husband applied to an internship position (because the company was interesting but they had no full time postings). He got hired, but it was framed as contract work for 6 months, after which he got hired on full time.

At my company it wouldn't matter what education you have because interns get specific projects, so as long as you can do that (and you understand that you won't get paid as much), it doesn't really matter what your education level is.

Be sure you disclose relevant facts in your cover letter and explain why you are looking for an internship.

However, if I may offer a piece of advice - just apply for full time work. An internship is typically 8-16 months anyways.

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I'de say check with Service Canada first and foremost to see if you are not breaching your visa.

This is a legal matter first and foremost.

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  • Welcome to Workplace! Thanks for contributing an answer. Any answer that gets the asker going in the right direction is helpful, but do try to mention any limitations, assumptions or simplifications in your answer. Brevity is acceptable, but fuller explanations are better. – Victor S Feb 16 at 15:44
  • Welcome new user! Great answer. – Fattie Feb 16 at 16:23
  • @Al rl I have sorted out the legal requirements, but am wondering whether companies will accept an application from someone who would have graduated by the time they start the internship. In fact, I will only be allowed to work after my student visa is finished, which is why I want to see if I can do an internship after I am done studying. – oxat Feb 16 at 16:36

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