Part-time Job Opportunities for Foreign Students in Canada

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Higher education abroad leads to higher tuition fees and cost of living. Canada, being a developed country, is frequently mentioned as one of the greatest study-abroad countries. Canadian Universities provide permanent/full-time employment, part-time jobs and post-study stay options. For many international students in Canada looking for career possibilities, Canada is an efficient choice. For individuals looking to immigrate permanently to Canada, working there is a fantastic first step. As graduates from Canada’s top colleges are in high demand, there are numerous job opportunities for Indian and international students. Additionally, with the post-graduation work permit (PGWP) in existence, international students can aim for the top jobs in Canada. Compared to American institutions, Canadian universities are more likely to provide financial aid or scholarships to international students. All of these factors make the destination a great place to earn while you learn!

Thomas Cook’s Study Buddy

If you are a student worried about your time in Canada, here is Study Buddy, a definitive guide about studying abroad by Thomas Cook. Study Buddy’s goal is to be the best guide for the students planning to study and work abroad. Make sure you check out episodes 1 and 2 to learn why the intricacies of earning while learning.

 If you’re seeking work on-campus, you don’t need to put in a lot of effort! Every possible university and colleges post necessary on-campus job openings on their bulletin boards along with clear outlines of the work-profile. The College/University and the Administration Office, both, provide relevant information regarding the openings for on-campus work. On the contrary, if you’re seeking for work off-campus, you can opt for small scale jobs that would suit your time-frame.

The Canadian Government has allowed the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) for eligible graduated students. This permit allows the students to gain an open work permit to obtain beneficial Canadian work experience after their graduation for up to 3 years. The students graduated must be a part of any Designated Learning Institution (DLI). As there is a big surge in demand for skilled professionals in tech-based jobs, there is a lot of investment in training tech talents.

On-campus part-time jobs in Canada:

• Teaching Assistant

Teaching assistants (TAs) are hired by many universities and professors to assist them throughout the semester with a variety of tasks. It may also be necessary to create lesson plans, assist students with their homework, tutor them, and update records of student performance. This is likely to pay you around 16 dollars per hour.

• Administrative officer

Students willing to work as an administrative officer are hired as receptionists, assistants or interns. As long as you continue to meet the eligibility standards for working on campus, you are allowed to work as many hours as you like in addition to working off campus. Working part-time on-campus is likely to earn you an hourly wage of 22 CAD, which is the average for students.

Some of the other On-campus part-time jobs are of a Librarian, Cafe Assistant, Bookstore Clerk, Campus Guide or a Tech Support Engineer

Off-campus part-time jobs in Canada:

• Server/ Bartender at restaurants

Due to the flexible schedule, serving/bartending is the most popular job among students. It pays you around 11 Canadian Dollars  per hour plus tips. Although the hourly wage isn’t the highest, servers and bartenders receive tips in addition to their pay. In Canada, the customary tipping ranges from 15% to 20%.

• Translator

If you know more than one language, here’s a better option for you to try! You can use a second, third, or fourth language that you know as a translator. You need to be fluent in speaking, reading, and writing a foreign language in order to operate as a translator. It pays off around 21.16 CAD per hour.

• Content Developers

Students can also freelance as content writers and content creators. Many talented students explore their potential by working freelance for big names across the country and earn well in Canadian currency.

Some of the other Off-campus, high-paying and emerging part-time jobs are of a Baby-sitter/Nanny, Uber and Lyft Drivers, Freelancer, Sales-Person or Retail/Sales Clerks, Customer Service Representative, Dog Walker, Cashier or a Personal Tutor.

Most of these jobs can increase the currency notes  in your pocket! Servers/bartenders earn an average of CA$13 per hour. Teachers’ Assistants, roles in the college administration/library on an average pay CA$15 an hour. All these amounts are good enough to pay for expenses and save when we calculate expenses in the Canadian currency.

How to choose the perfect part-time Job?

As you Study in Canada, there are various part-time options to choose from, it often becomes a task to decide which job to go for. Here are some simple aspects to consider while choosing a part-time job.

Consider your interests

You cannot be a server or a waiter if you simply hate cleaning. Hence, choosing something that interests you is important. If you are a marketing student or if Marketing is something that interests you, you can take up a part-time marketing role and sharpen your skills.

Consider your skills

No human on Earth is skilled at everything. For a part-time role as a student in Canada, it is imperative to choose a job that you can do, for which you are skilled. For instance, if you have experience in sales and are good at convincing people, a part-time sales job will be suitable for you.

Consider your future

Another aspect to consider is your future? Will it be beneficial to you as a student to work as a salesperson or will a content writer role considering your career path? Understanding what supports your future best is important.

Money Matters

As an international student, you will need money to cover your monthly expenses and so having a part-time job that supports you financially during your study time in the country is important.

Evaluate your time commitments

A student is allowed to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week in part-time roles. If your course is intensive and requires you to give a lot of time for exam preparation and assignment, it is wise to choose a job that does not consume a lot of time and you can manage time well. You can also do multiple jobs as long as the time commitment does not go beyond 20 hours weekly.

Requirements for part-time in Canada

To work part time in Canada, the student must

• Be enrolled in a graduate or postgraduate program of minimum 6 months
• The Program should lead to a degree or diploma
• A have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) in order to get work in Canada

Course related restrictions and opportunities to consider

Courses that restrict students from taking a part-time role:

• Certain courses, including those that have English and French as a second language course, do not permit students to work part-time.
• Students studying general interest courses are disqualified from working part-time
• Students that are enrolled in courses as a requirement for their main course

If the students’ study permit does not allow part-time work, then the student cannot take up any part time roles

Benefits of Part-time jobs in Canada:

• Compensation: Being one of the most approached countries for educational facilities, study in Canada is not less expensive. However, to have a smooth life in a country with a high standard of living, a part-time job is necessary for any student in order to help cover expenditures. Part-time jobs in Canada enhance students’ revenue and give them a way to pay for a portion of their living and educational costs throughout their stay.

• Work Experience: Working part-time employment in Canada can be a beneficial career experience for Indian students in Canada. It, undeniably, will raise the value of their resume. It’ll show how prepared they are to go above and beyond to fulfill their dream of studying in Canada. Along with work experience, students can also learn a wide range of skills valuable both in career and personal life. Students will learn to find a balance between their study and work-life. Effective communication, initiation time management skills and team-work will enable them to develop confidence.

•  Responsibility and Financial Stability: Working while studying in Canada will provide students some financial security and liberty. It permits the ability to manage money while living alone in a strange country. Additionally, they will develop a growth mindset and actively look for possibilities to do more for self-development. It will also prepare the students to secure some for their future necessities.

So, if working while studying in Canada is something you’re thinking about, go for it! Relying on a reputable forex company like Thomas Cook can assist you in taking care of all those foreign currency notes that you will be raking in. For further information, visit our website www.thomascook.in/foreign-exchange.