An internship can be a fantastic way to get experience in a field or career you want to get into. Securing internships is crucial if you’re a student without work experience to gain the necessary knowledge and abilities to write a strong CV.
Acquiring an internship in Canada without previous experience will assist you in discovering your areas of interest in the workplace and pursuing your dream job.
This article explains why securing an internship in Canada is a good idea and how to get one without any previous experience. It also provides valuable advice and highlights the advantages of internships while still in school.
Why You Should Get an Internship in Canada
Reviewing the application process for an internship will help you get experience in finding employment in Canada following graduation.
Internships can provide insightful information about the abilities, credentials, and education needed to enter a particular sector.
As such, research more about a career or area that interests you and consider applying for an internship. Furthermore, during an undergraduate or graduate school, you usually use it for an internship, after which you work for a company for one or more months.
You can observe how a company or organization operates daily during this time and learn in-depth details about various work settings that you might come across in that line of employment.
In addition, examine a variety of approaches to obtaining an internship.
How to Secure an Internship With no Experience in Canada
If applying for an internship for the first time, consider showing your willingness to learn and passion for that career path to increase your chances of success.
We have compiled some steps you can follow to get a professional internship opportunity without any previous experience:
1. Determine What Career Path Best Suit You
To start, look into several job paths related to the curriculum you’re enrolled in. By doing extensive research, you can identify your top two or three job options and look for internships related to the roles.
For instance, if marketing is your major, you can look into many marketing-related careers.
2. Select your Preferred Location and Internship Type
You can decide on the type of internship you want and the location you’re targeting. For example, you can seek summer internships if you plan to travel to your hometown during summer break.
Alternatively, if you’re completing the internship mid-semester, consider searching for internship opportunities near the location of your school to make your schedule more manageable.
You can also consider the type of internship that can offer you more value. While some pay, others may be unpaid or offer additional class credits.
Explore your reasons for pursuing the internship and choose one that best addresses your current needs. Some internships may require you to work weekends, while others offer flexible schedules.
Carefully consider your circumstances to choose an ideal location and internship type you can enjoy.
3. Consult with the School’s Career Centre
Career centers are excellent sources of information for students looking for internships, jobs, or skill-building opportunities. These centers typically know about open volunteer or internship roles because they frequently have contacts with various organizations.
To ensure you submit a robust application, consider collaborating with the career center to draft a cover letter and résumé.
Professionals at a career center can assist you in finding activities you’ve done or relevant abilities you possess that align with the attributes employers are looking for, even if you have no previous work experience.
For instance, you can’t mention coaching a minor league baseball club on your résumé without professional experience.
You might use the career center’s assistance to emphasize this position on your resume to highlight your leadership, community service, and dependability.
4. Explore Opportunities on Campus
Search for internships offered by your department or other campus offices. These internships are typically for students, making them ideal for people without relevant experience.
Because they’re campus and department-related, they’re more likely to work around your class schedule, promoting a better work-life balance.
In addition, you may join campus groups or organizations that align with your interests and career goals to discover better internship opportunities. Consider researching the school website or social media platform to find these groups.
5. Develop Essential Skills
Even though you are new to internships in Canada, many generic abilities apply to many fields of work. Make the time to acquire transferable skills such as computer use, leadership, teamwork, and communication.
Stressing your skills might help you prove your worth and win over prospective employers.
For instance, if you’re a writer, you may send in your portfolio along with other necessary files when you apply for the internship to show prospective employers that you’re a capable and conscientious intern.
Here are a few ways you can develop and improve essential skills.
- Attend professional workshops that teach specific skills, like computer software, writing, or team building.
- Enroll in online courses covering particular topics you hope to learn.
- Become a tutor to expand your knowledge and develop communication skills
- Accept leadership positions in groups or organizations.
- Join debate or public speaking clubs that allow you to create and practice transferable skills, such as presentation, communication, and active listening.
Tips for Getting an Internship Placement in Canada
Be Creative
You can be resourceful and look for non-traditional internship alternatives if your prospects of landing a standard internship are slim. Think about discussing the prospect of assisting professors with research projects with them.
Provide specifics such as how much work you can do each week, what you can contribute to their study, and whether you’re willing to take extra course credits instead of money.
Even if they are not posting open internship positions, you can still contact companies in your field of interest. Talk about what you want to learn from them and how you can help the company flourish.
In addition, consider extending your search beyond the domain of your choice. Any internship that allows you to deal with people and develop your interpersonal and communication skills, for instance, can be helpful if human resources interests you.
Similarly, if accounting piques your interest, consider looking for accounting internships in any company instead of limiting your research to accounting businesses.
Explore Freelancing Opportunities
If you work in a creative field, freelancing is another opportunity to gain relevant field experience. You can post your services on online job boards, social media platforms, or the school’s information center.
Consider reducing your pay rates for projects or offer creative invoicing, such as accepting payment after providing services.
This can help you gain potential clients’ trust and attain more returning customers even without experience.
Consider Volunteering
If you have yet to gain previous work experience and intend to gain it, consider volunteering your time and efforts for free. Many organizations have a limited budget and require additional help to operate effectively.
Consider searching for businesses related to your major or career path and submit a request to volunteer.
You may also volunteer at charity organizations to gain experience working with a team and develop skills such as reliability, organization, and time management.
Benefits of Completing Internships
Provides excellent references and recommendations
The supervisors or managers you meet during your internship can be valuable references to include on your resume when seeking full-time positions.
Hiring managers can be more willing to recommend you for job opportunities if you demonstrate excellent work ethics throughout the internship.
Because these managers know you personally and observe your contributions to the company, they can offer valuable references and recommendation letters to support your future endeavors.
Expands your professional network
Internships allow you to expand your professional network by connecting with seasoned industry professionals. You can make relevant connections and meet people who can offer valuable resources and professional development opportunities to support your career journey.
Consider showing curiosity, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn during your internship to make a lasting positive impression on professionals and enable them to remember you when they have relevant opportunities.
Guides career goals
Internships offer job experience by introducing you to the daily tasks and responsibilities to expect in a specific role without a definite commitment to that career path.
Aside from helping you decide whether a particular job fits your talents and personality, you may also meet people who can provide career guidance and advice while working as an intern.
For example, you may meet a mentor and establish a relationship with them that can guide your path toward your career goals.