Canada is one of the most demanded and promising studies abroad destinations. Favorable factors such as more affordable tuition fees compared to other neighboring countries, a friendly attitude towards visitors, and the opportunity to get a job from the first days of study. It gives you the opportunity to earn one’s own along with studies and also the chance to find a job for life later.
During the training, you can gain work experience both on and off-campus, as well as become a member of a combined program.
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Right to work in Canada
In 2014, the Canadian government eased the rule for foreign students and allowed them to work up to 20 hours a week during studying. During the holidays, you can work full time – up to 40 hours a week. Foreign students do not need a special work permit for employment on and off-campus.
The average salary on campus is CA $12-15 per hour. Outside of it, usually a little more – CA $15-20 per hour. In addition to wages, sometimes additional bonuses are provided: discounts on food or a place in a student residence.
Jobs for students in Canada: on campus
Working on campus has a number of advantages. First of all, it is an opportunity to significantly expand your social and professional ties. Active participation in the life of the academic community will help you get comfortable in a new place and make friends from different fields. For many students this is:
- the opportunity to find a job related to the future profession
- establish yourself well as a specialist
- gain professional experience
Students may work in institutions owned or leased by the university. The employer is the university itself, a student organization, or a private company located on campus. The choice of vacancies is large: from simple positions (salesman in a bookstore, assistant librarian, cleaning service employee) to more serious ones that require certain experience.
Communications and advertising specialist, student federation consultant, business development coordinator – and such proposals are found. Some universities recruit social workers for hospitals or teaching clinics. Sometimes they are located away from the campus but formally belong to the university. Graduate students can work as teaching assistants or research assistants.
Depending on the type of activity, the requirements for applicants also vary. For initial positions, you often need only the desire and ability to work in a team, responsibility, and organization. But professional skills may also be required: knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and web design, the ability to provide first aid, or experience with a sewing machine.
You can find work on campus in the following ways:
ask for help from a local student;
register on a special website of the educational institution, where information about vacancies in a particular campus is published.
independently distribute resumes to campus facilities (cafe, library, shop, student service, training center, and others).Off-Campus Jobs for Students in Canada
The range of opportunities for student work outside the campus is not very large. Basically, the service sector jobs like a waiter or hostess in a restaurant, a cashier, a salesperson, an administrator, a call center executive are suitable for students. Such vacancies involve shift work, allowing students to build their schedule so that it does not conflict with the study schedule.
It is more difficult to get a paid job in a specialty outside the university due to time restrictions (20 hours a week) and the need to attend classes. Although there are some lucky ones who manage to negotiate with employers and combine work and study. But their percentage in the total mass is small.
The most effective and easiest way to find a job is to multiple copies of your resume and go around all the relevant areas yourself. These can be cafes, restaurants, shops, gas stations near the place of residence. They willingly hire students for part-time work.
Small companies put up ads in an old-fashioned way, so you should pay attention to them when walking along the streets.
Social connections can be of invaluable service in a job search. Use social networks like Facebook and Linkedin.
Of course, large sites with a database of vacancies and resumes are also popular in Canada: Monster, Workopolis, JobBank, Craigslist. They must be studied, but do not count on quick success. They mainly offer full-time vacancies.
Also Read: How Can I Get a Grant to Study Abroad!
Social Security Number (SIN)
For formal employment in Canada (on campus or off campus), you will need a social security number. Students need to provide it to the employer within three days from the start of employment.
Getting a SIN is easy. When applying, international students must submit:
a study permit (student residence permit) issued by the Canadian government indicating that the holder "may agree to work" or "may work" in Canada;
a study permit and a letter of confirmation "for off-campus work" issued by the Government of Canada (for those who received the document before February 6, 2015).Combined programs (Co-op Programs)
Combined programs are very common in Canada. And many universities and colleges provide such courses. During this period, students do not attend classes but work full-time – 35-40 hours a week.
Detailed information about combined programs is provided by the university. The website of educational institutions lists the faculties where the internship is possible and the timing of its implementation.
Mostly, the university helps its students to find companies for internships. Every high school and college has a “Co-op” office that collects all job offers and offers them to students. Spring, autumn, and winter job fairs are also organized.
There is competition among participants in combined programs, so an independent search for an employer is always welcome. If you didn’t manage to find a job in the chosen field (this sometimes happens), you can look for vacancies in another field. Or take more courses in the training program for the period of the internship.
To be eligible for an internship, a student must have a good academic record in the previous academic semesters. Other criteria and requirements may be different depending on the university.
The student trainee salary is CA$400-800 per week. In addition, some companies:
provide their employees with food
cover shipping costs
or provide an opportunity for additional training.International students participating in a combined program need to obtain a separate work permit. It is issued subject to the following requirements:
have a valid study permit;
an internship is part of the training program;
the internship does not take more than 50% of the total academic plan.Along with an application for a work permit, you must provide a letter from the university stating that the internship is necessary for the successful completion of studies and obtaining an academic degree. This document is certified by the responsible official of the university.
Documents for getting a work permit are included with papers for applying for a visa. You can submit them on the embassy website online or through visa centers.
Canada encourages student employment and creates a suitable environment for this. Therefore, anyone who is looking for a job will definitely find it. And the work experience accumulated during the study will be very useful for finding a job after graduation.
