The cost of studying abroad, especially in places like the US, Canada, and the UK, is outrageous. However, there are some jobs you can get as an international student to ease the burden.
This article discusses the seven best jobs you can get as an international student in Canada. You’ll also learn the eligibility criteria for international students to work in Canada.
Can I Work Legally as an International Student in Canada?
As an international student in Canada, you can work legally, both on and off campus, to support yourself. With only your study permit, you can get a part-time job of up to 20 hours a week. You can also get a full-time job during scheduled breaks such as winter and summer holidays or a fall or spring reading week.
International students whose programs include co-op or internships can also work off campus as part of the program without a separate work permit.
However, you must ensure you adhere strictly to the permitted work hour limit, as exceeding it comes with severe consequences. You can lose your student status, get barred from applying again in the future, or even leave Canada for good.
Now that you know you can work legally in Canada as an international student, let’s look at the best jobs available to you.
What Jobs Can I Get as an International Student in Canada?
Here are seven high-paying jobs you can get as an international student in Canada:
1. Teaching Assistant
Teaching assistant (TA) jobs are among the on-campus jobs you can do as an international student in Canada.
Many universities and professors in Canada offer teaching assistant jobs to graduate students to help ease their daily workload. As a TA, you can assist professors with grading, leading tutorials, creating lesson plans, updating paperwork, etc.
The work of a TA in Canadian schools is given to students who are not only on top of their programs but have shown excellent organizational skills and experience in handling people.
TA jobs pay between $16 to $31 per hour. With 20 hours a week, you can take care of your basic needs and still sort out some school needs.
Also Read: 5 Best Countries to Study Abroad and Why
2. Barista
Many international students in Canada work as baristas in cafes, coffee shops, restaurants, and other food and beverage establishments. These businesses hire students because of their flexible work schedules and willingness to do a good job.
As a barista, you’re in charge of preparing coffee beverages, operating espresso machines, and steaming milk to provide drinks that meet customer preferences.
Baristas earn about $11 to $16 per hour in Canada. However, they can also earn more from tips, as people always want to appreciate them for the good work done. This means you can earn up to $20,000 per year working as a barista on a study permit in Canada.
3. Nanny
If you love spending time with children, you will find nanny jobs interesting. It becomes even more fascinating when you know it can grant you the freedom to read your books.
Many working parents in Canada are willing to pay a good amount to students who can work part-time to help them take care of their kids. Your job ranges from picking kids up from school, preparing and serving them food, putting them to sleep, or just playing with them. the aim is to ensure they’re well taken care of while their parents are away.
Some students love nanny jobs because of the flexible working hours, high pay, and the fact that they allow them to do what they love (being with kids). Most nanny jobs in Canada pay as much as $18 per hour. You also stand a chance to earn more if you work with overly generous parents.
4. Tutor
If you excel in certain subjects and enjoy teaching others, you may love to work as a tutor in Canada. You can offer tutoring services to other students, either independently or through the school tutoring centers. You can also choose to tutor students at any level, from elementary to university or college level.
The good thing about tutoring is that it helps you become better in the subject. Imagine teaching a course you’ll have to write exams on later. You can only get better at it, especially as your students ask vital questions you may have overlooked when studying on your own.
Tutoring can earn you between $14 and $18 per hour, and given its flexibility, you decide how much you want to earn weekly.
5. Freelancer
With the rise of remote work opportunities, you can earn a good living working as a freelancer in Canada. Depending on your skill set, you can freelance with writing, graphic design, programming, digital marketing, or any other digital skill.
Freelancing is even more fascinating if you plan to build a career on your chosen skill after school. It helps you build a reputable portfolio and earn a good ton of money while at it.
Most freelancers source for jobs on job boards like Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr, etc. You can also use LinkedIn to reach out to sell yourself and attract high-paying clients who are willing to work with you on your terms.
As a freelancer, you can earn up to $45 an hour in Canada. The good thing is your client base is vast, as you can have clients from all parts of the world.
6. Dog Walker
If you love pets, especially dogs, dog walking is a job you would enjoy doing. Often, dog owners are too busy to take their dogs on a walk, and because these dogs can get aggressive when not properly exercised, they’re willing to pay someone else to do it.
Dog walking jobs are usually on-call, so they’re not as flexible as other jobs on this list. However, if you make some clients, you can get them to fix the jobs during your free periods.
You can earn up to $22 per hour walking dogs in Canada. You can also upscale your services by offering other services, such as grooming.
7. Sales Assistant
You can get a job as a sales assistant while studying in Canada. There are job opportunities in retail stores, specialty stores, event centers, and more.
Sales assistant jobs enable you to gain valuable experience in customer service, retail, and sales. These skills could be valuable when you’re seeking a full-time position after graduation.
Most sales assistants make $23 per hour in Canada. You can even earn more if you meet certain targets.
Also Read: 10 Degrees that Can Easily Land You a High-Paying Job Abroad
Conclusion
Getting part-time jobs as a student in Canada can ease your financial burden, helping you take care of your personal and school needs. Some jobs like the ones in this article offer more flexibility and are better suited for students.
Hopefully, you can pick one or two of the jobs listed here and pursue them to make your stay as a student in Canada enjoyable.
