Question:

I am American but considering attending a university in Canada because the cost of attending one of their top schools is much, much less than attending a comparable school in the United States, but I'm nervous about my job prospects upon graduation. How will U.S. employers view me in four years?

First Answer:

Top Canadian schools have name recognition south of the border, and offer an excellent education. If you can get into Harvard, Yale, Chicago, UC Berkeley or Michigan you may be able to gain admission to The University of Toronto (Toronto, Ontario), McGill (Montreal, Quebec), University of Western Ontario (London, Ontario), or Dalhousie (Halifax, Nova Scotia) or another top school, but it's not a slam dunk. These schools are competitive. In terms of quality of education, I'd have no fear. Apply to Canadian schools that provide the same level of rigor as you can handle in an American university, that's how to assure the best possible education--and the best possible prospects after graduation.

In terms of on-campus recruiting, you will be almost invisible to U.S. employers, who by and large are not going to be on your Canadian campus to recruit undergraduates, although that may change as under NAFTA it's easier for Canadian graduates to work in the US (US employers do recruit MBAs from Canada). So the burden of a pro-active job search will be on you.

If you attend a university in the province of Quebec, and study French, you may come out of university with a usable second language, a great boon in a global economy. If you're already fluent, also consider a Francophone university (HEC, Université de Québec à Montréal). If you have to stick to an Anglophone school, consider Concordia as well as McGill; they have different strengths, student bodies and atmospheres.

Also on the plus side, the Canadian and especially Australian economies are jumping, and you may find additional opportunities if you consider assignments there. Your international education will mark you as different in a positive way--offering an exposure to the world American-educated American new graduates may not have.

-- Carol Anderson, Career Development and Placement Office, Robert J. Milano Graduate School of Management and Urban Policy at New School University in New York City

Second Answer:

Congratulations on being accepted at any top university! Every country has notable name universities, which are known by major companies. Additionally many of our companies have offices within Canada and therefore they are very aware of their universities first hand. With the astronomical costs of an education you are wise to consider ways not to start off with over a $120,000 of debt (the average cost at a top American University). Although financial aid is available, even having half of that amount in loans not including living expenses can leave you with large payments. If you decide to go on for postgraduate studies you can see how this debt can sky rocket before you are even earning a salary!

The most important thing you can do for your career is to maintain good grades and get experience. For entry-level positions three things are considered by employers - school, grades, and work experience. Internships are not only ways to get offers after graduation from the firms you worked for, they separate you from your peers who spent their summers "playing". Additionally, internships provide you with the hands-on experience to determine if you are pursuing an ideal career.

We live in a global economy. You will already be making international connections and understanding another culture, assets that will help you stand out from your peers. You can check a recent article about the numbers of Americans in Canadian Universities that appeared last week in their National Post.

If you are still wondering, work with a professional coach who can guide you through the process easier and faster. I am offering a 20% discount on one month of coaching to anyone who mentions this article.

-- Janine A. Schindler, Professional Coach and owner of the Jas Coaching Company

Third Answer:

If you are attending an accredited, reputable school, I see no reason why it would be an issue. In fact, it gives you the chance to say you "studied abroad"--even though Canada isn't the same as Europe or Asia! Seriously though, who can tell what things will be like in four years? Don't worry about it--do your best in school, but be sure to start getting practical experience and building relationships while BEFORE your senior year! The best way to do that is to start becoming aware of NEEDS that you can fulfill for others--and not too focused on looking for a job or internship. While in Canada, try to learn French--become fluent if you can. Being bilingual is a great advantage.

-- Keith F. Luscher, Creative Director with Goettler Associates, Inc., a fund-raising consulting firm serving non-profit organizations nationwide, and author of Don't Wait Until You Graduate!

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