As graduation gets closer for many students across Canada, the excitement of finishing school comes with a lot of questions about what comes next. Some students feel ready for the job market, while others are unsure about their future.
New data from Statistics Canada shows that job chances after graduation depend a lot on what you study. According to the Labour Market Outcomes for College and University Graduates report, job opportunities after graduation are significantly influenced by the field of study. For example, graduates in nursing and pharmacy show consistently high employment rates in their respective professions, with over 90% of nursing graduates and around 85% of pharmacy graduates securing relevant positions within a short period. But for students in programs like humanities or social sciences, it can take longer to find a job, and it’s often harder to get something related to what they studied.
Alex Brown, a final-year engineering student in Toronto, feels good about his future. He got an internship last summer with a well-known engineering company, and now they’ve offered him a full-time job. He says that many of his classmates are in the same position.
“I’m quite hopeful,” he says. “In our program, internships often turn into real jobs. It makes it easier to move from school to work.”
But not all students feel the same way.
Erin Garfield, who is in her final year of a sociology degree, doesn’t feel as hopeful. She has been applying for internships, but hasn’t been able to get one at a good place. She worries this will hurt her chances of getting a job after graduation.
“It’s hard not to feel down,” she says. “I’ve tried to get internships, but the ones I get aren’t helpful. They don’t give me real experience or lead to other chances. I’m scared I won’t find a proper job after school.”
Their experiences reflect the broader story told by the statistics. For students like Alex, the system seems to work smoothly, aligning studies with real-world opportunities. For others like Erin, the gaps are more evident—exposing how limited access to quality internships and practical experience can dampen even the most motivated student’s outlook.
As Canada’s postsecondary institutions and employers continue to explore ways to bridge the gap between education and employment, stories like these highlight the need for equitable access to opportunities and better career support. Because behind every number is a student hoping to turn their degree into a future.
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