Studying internationally can be very expensive, so most students rely on part-time jobs for their pocket money. There are many on and off-campus work options for international students in Canada. Working here helps the students adapt to a new culture and environment which is beneficial for their overall growth. It is advisable for the students to first check the study permit for the eligibility of working off-campus (without a work permit). Students can work part-time in the following options:
Teaching Assistant
As the name suggests, teaching and research assistants help university professors, teachers, and other faculty members in teaching and research activities. Students learn a lot by helping their instructors, making it very convenient for them as it is in an on-campus job.
Students in this occupation:
- Are mostly pursuing master’s or doctoral programs, and are employed by their own university or college.
- Students must be good at communication, have sufficient organizational skills, as well as be creative to motivate and lead other students
- Must be comfortable working individually and in teams
Common job titles
Teaching Assistant, Lab Assistant, Research Assistant
The wage rate ranges from CAD $14.00 to CAD$25.00/hour
Private Tutor
If you are someone who enjoys teaching, then this is the perfect opportunity for you to earn those extra bucks. You can tutor students of various age groups right from elementary school to college students. For instance, even if you have the skill of playing a musical instrument like a guitar or piano, you can earn as much as $40 per hour. You can also choose to teach the subjects of your choice that interest you.
The wage rate ranges from CAD $14.00 to CAD$30.00/hour
Food Server
There are plenty of dine-in restaurants everywhere. A few examples might be on the College campus, hence the requirement for food servers is always on the rise. Students can work as food and beverage servers in many areas, such as restaurants, hotels, bars, pubs, private clubs and banquet halls, and wedding events. Their main responsibilities are taking food and drink orders from the customers, and help serve them. They may also help in seating arrangements, and assist the restaurant manager. Some restaurants also have a tip system where tips are divided among servers.
Common job titles
Restaurant server, steward, host, Headwaiter/head waitress
The wage rate ranges from CAD $14.00 to CAD$25.00/hour
Driver
Students can register themselves with commercial cab services such as Uber or Lyft, and drive cabs part-time. For this, they would typically need a valid Canadian driver’s license, a car, and a smartphone. The student must be a minimum of 21 years of age to do so. The best part about this job is that the students can work at their own convenience. This is one of the most popular jobs among students.
The wage rate ranges from CAD $14.00 to CAD$25.00/hour
Freelancer
Students can work freelance in almost any industry. They just need to have the desired skill set in order to be one. For instance, students can be photographers, writers, editors, graphic designers, or website managers. They may have more options depending on their area of expertise. The best part about freelancing is that it can be done from the comfort of your home, or anywhere else you desire. Because of this, students don’t have to physically go to an office. The best time to do freelancing is in between the students assignments. They can take advantage of this because if it is related to the course they are studying, they can add it to their CV, and make it stand out and be noticed by their future employer.
The wage rate ranges from CAD $15.00 to CAD$25.00/hour
Security Guard
Security guards are needed everywhere as they help maintain law and order. This is also one of the most popular jobs that students can do in Canada. Security guards work for various public and private security agencies, retail stores, transportation facilities, residential complexes, educational, financial, and health institutions, industrial establishments, and many more. In order to be a security guard, students must take a license for the same, and have skills in the following fields:
- Should have strong observation skills
- Should be comfortable working alone
- Must be disciplined and ethical
Other requirements for security guards may include:
- Level one industry first aid
- A valid driver’s license
- Basic writing and speaking skills
- Basic computer skills
- Advanced courses in the investigation, writing, interviewing, decision making, and ethics
Click here, for more detail about the job requirements.
Common job titles
- ATM (automatic teller machine) guard, Bouncer
The wage rate ranges from CAD $14.00 to CAD$30.00/hour
Cashier
Cashiers are the people who collect and maintain cash records, and accept payment for goods and services. They are also needed everywhere such as grocery or shopping stores. They are responsible for giving correct change to the customer, processing credit or debit card transactions, and validating cheques.
Here are some of the skills that are needed:
- Strong oral communication skills
- Understand cash transactions, credit, debit, etc.
The wage rate ranges from CAD $14.00 to CAD$25.00/hour
Dog Walker
This is one of the students’ favorites as they get paid to hang out and walk dogs. One may be required to walk a dog for half an hour to one hour, depending upon the customer’s needs. If you love dogs, this is the time to look for some dog owners who require this service. Pet-sitting is also a related option that one can consider, but you will need a license for this as well.
The wage rate ranges from CAD $14.00 to CAD$18.00/hour
Disclaimer: The wage range for part-time jobs is different for every province. To know the most accurate information, refer to the government website mentioned in the source link.
Source: Top jobs for international students in Canada How to be a security guard in Canada Be a cashier in CanadaWage Range for various jobs
