I study at the Erasmus School of Economics, which is well ranked globally. I am doing the International Bachelor Economics & Business Economics. I am capable of getting the equivalent of an American "4.0" GPA by the end of my program. Would it be possible to enter Canadian IB? If so, what would be the course of action?
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It really depend. Why do you want to be in Canada? What are you ties to the country? Have you ever lived in Canada? Generally speaking, Canadian banks don't sponsor for Visa because foreigners studying in Canada get on the PR path on their and don't need sponsorship so that's an issue.
Canada is less target-school focused and I thought visas would be easier to obtain in Canada, though looks like I may have been wrong on that.
I’ve found they’re more target school focused than the US. On the US posts I see people encouraging kids from non targets to hustle and network and they’ll get a job. I don’t know anyone not at Ivey, QC, Rottman, McGill or Laurier who is able to break in, likely because the market is so much smaller.
OP, it would be really tough because Canadian IBs don’t really make a point to bother with visa assistance. Maybe if you were already here with one of the (ideally) target schools and you are going through the school’s career management / standard recruiting process.
I’m assuming you’re likely asking because you want to be there for family or personal reasons, but definitely an uphill battle because Bay Street is not that big and analyst/Associate classes run lean here. If this is just wanting to work in the Americas, U.S. might even be easier because of sheer size and number of banks. The other alternative? Get an offer with the London office and lateral to Toronto or wherever down the line.
Ah okay. I figured since Canadian banks weren't as target-school obsessed as the US (from what I've heard), I'd have a shot. I'm also looking towards Canada because I thought it would be easier to get a visa, though I'm apparently wrong on that.
I can't go to London because of the crappy visa laws which make it very hard for people to get visas for work, and I can't go to the US because of their target-school obsession. What would be the best course of action for an Arab student in Europe wanting to pursue IB in the West? Keep in mind I'd be willing to do a masters program at a more recognized university.
While Canadian banks are less target-school focused, it is a much smaller market than the US and the banks are not likely to take a risk on someone with no Canadian connection (e.g., having lived there, family there, university there).
Out of curiosity, if you can't go to London, why are you not targeting the Netherlands, Benelux region or other European locations?
I dont see the issue with London with your profile, banks do sponsor visas.
I know of a European that had a similar background to you and wanted to move to Canada for banking. He ended up having to sign up for a 1yr post-graduate degree which gave him the post-graduation work permit and be considered for analyst jobs. After getting a 4.0 in his post-grad and networking his ass off he was able to break into a big bank IB team. Maybe that could be your path? Check some of the 1yr MScFinance programs available in Canada, which will probably be a repeat of what you saw on your undergrad but will give you the post-grad work permit. After you get 1yr of Canadian work experience you are almost guaranteed permanent residency here and then immigration will no longer be an issue.
Erasmus is a great school! Besides visa issues, which can be tough to deal with, I cant see why you would not be able to land an IB job in Europe? Germany is also a big market, Paris seems to be growing and then London for sure - but most countries in Europe has some IB presence, even if it is smaller than the major hubs.
But one question - I thought the Netherlands was like a lot of other European countries in the way that you dont really do Undergrad --> work-> Masters. Would the norm not be to do a 5 year direct to masters program? I started my career in Europe, and from my experience it would be pretty difficult to get a top job (MBB,IB or graduate rotational programs) without a masters degree?
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