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Work Experience While Studying

2nose

Star Member
Mar 8, 2016
74
2
Hello,
I was working at an accounting firm while I was studying my accounting degree. It was paid work. My work was not a part of my degree/a component or requirement of the program. It was completely separate. Can I count this work experience for Federal Skilled Workers under Express Entry?

Thanks!
 

JoacRy

Champion Member
Oct 23, 2015
2,064
159
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Unfortunately work experience accumulated during the course of your academic studies will not count towards points for the Express Entry Program.

All work experience accumulated is only considered following graduation from your course of study.
 

2nose

Star Member
Mar 8, 2016
74
2
JoacRy said:
Unfortunately work experience accumulated during the course of your academic studies will not count towards points for the Express Entry Program.

All work experience accumulated is only considered following graduation from your course of study.
Hi JoacRy,
Is there any official source that you can point me to? I don't mean to doubt you, but I also want to confirm myself. All that I can ever find is that work that is a part of your education does not qualify. I hope you understand.
Thanks for your help!
 

2nose

Star Member
Mar 8, 2016
74
2
JoacRy said:
Unfortunately work experience accumulated during the course of your academic studies will not count towards points for the Express Entry Program.

All work experience accumulated is only considered following graduation from your course of study.
To elaborate on my previous comment, OP 6 12.13 defines work experience. There is absolutely no mention of needing to complete the degree, or not being able to work at the same time as you study. Indeed, it says "an officer must not take into account whether the applicant meets the employment requirements description set forth in the NOC" when assessing points for work experience, suggesting that the educational requirements of the NOC have no bearing on the assessment. Thoughts?
 

Asivad Anac

VIP Member
May 27, 2015
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2nose said:
Hello,
I was working at an accounting firm while I was studying my accounting degree. It was paid work. My work was not a part of my degree/a component or requirement of the program. It was completely separate. Can I count this work experience for Federal Skilled Workers under Express Entry?

Thanks!
This can be counted as valid work experience provided it was outside Canada. The rule is that you cannot count experience gained while being a full time student in Canada.
 

2nose

Star Member
Mar 8, 2016
74
2
Asivad Anac said:
This can be counted as valid work experience provided it was outside Canada. The rule is that you cannot count experience gained while being a full time student in Canada.
Wonderful. Thanks so much!
 

SagiCZ

Full Member
Jan 7, 2016
40
3
2nose said:
To elaborate on my previous comment, OP 6 12.13 defines work experience. There is absolutely no mention of needing to complete the degree, or not being able to work at the same time as you study. Indeed, it says "an officer must not take into account whether the applicant meets the employment requirements description set forth in the NOC" when assessing points for work experience, suggesting that the educational requirements of the NOC have no bearing on the assessment. Thoughts?
Whatever you are linking here is from a 6 years old PDF that has been used before Express Entry existed. You do realize that, right?

So have you applied and been invited? I am in the exact same situation and I am considering whether I should include this work experience in my application. (it would give me 50 points but it was gained before I got my degree)
 

Solacanada

Full Member
Sep 18, 2018
28
18
Hello,
I was working at an accounting firm while I was studying my accounting degree. It was paid work. My work was not a part of my degree/a component or requirement of the program. It was completely separate. Can I count this work experience for Federal Skilled Workers under Express Entry?

Thanks!
Hello, Did you eventually apply? Did your work experience before graduation count?

Thanks.