Best Part-Time Work for International Students
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Thousands of students each year from high school to post secondary find themselves working part-time jobs outside their designated institutions. Despite the full course load, the compensation and work experience they receive incentivizes many students, especially international students. Post-Secondary education costs, which includes tuition, housing, transportation and other necessary cost of living can overwhelm current and future students. As well, having a job experience can significantly boost your resume and applications. These reasons are major factors as to why working part-time off campus is a very popular initiative around students today. 

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS TO WORK MORE HOURS 

On October 7, 2022, Sean Fraser, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada, announced that they are temporarily lifting the limit for off-campus work hours for international students. Prior to this announcement, the maximum hours a full time international student can work per week is 20 hours. This temporary initiative, which will run from November 15, 2022 to December 31, 2023, will address Canada’s ongoing labour shortage, and aid international students with their tuition and cost of living. 

However, Canada is still encouraging those on a student permit pathway to prioritize their full time school course load. Students who reduce their course load and become part-time students will not be eligible to work more than 20 hours.  

REMOTE WORK

With the recent pandemic, employees can now work remotely even if their company’s base of operations is thousands of miles away. International students can have the opportunity to work remotely for an employer outside of Canada while they remain a student in the country. As long as you meet the requirements of your study permit, you can work more than the 20 hours per week limit (even after the temporary lifting). Students will be able to gain professional experience needed for future employment.

The remote jobs available may coincide with their line of study. Some office jobs include but not limited to:

  • Copywriting 
  • Social Media Management 
  • IT and Programming 
  • Online Tutor/Teacher 
  • Software Engineer 
  • Coding 

Remote Work

PART TIME JOBS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

There are multiple part-time positions available in Canada. Depending on your current resume and your location within the country, these positions are best suited for full-time international students. 

Retail Customer Service: From helping customers get a product from a very high shelf to recommending the latest trends, customer service jobs are flexible and can enhance your communication and resiliency. These jobs can be found in but not limited to shopping malls and entertainment districts. 

Retail Manager

Waiter/Servers: In addition to hourly wages, waiters and servers receive tips for quality services. At the end of each shift, tips can add up to a significant amount. These positions are found in many dine-in restaurants and bars. 

Waiter serving food

Cashier: This position is needed in many stores from all industries. Once trained, this position is accessible regardless of your previous experience and can enhance your math computing skills.  Grocery stores, retail stores and fast food restaurants all have cashier positions. 

Cooks: Those with kitchen experience and expertise can find work as a cook, where they can learn the ins and outs of the restaurant industry in Canada. These jobs can be found in fast food and dine-in restaurants. 

Cook in Restaurant

Rideshare Driver: Students with a driver’s licence and their own vehicle can apply to be a rideshare or delivery driver. Services such as Uber and Skip The Dishes are in need of more drivers. Similar to waiters, they get additional compensation from tips for a good service.  There may be certain requirements for international students in order to get a valid drivers license in their respective province. In order to apply, just sign up accordingly in the services’ website/mobile application. 

Translator: International students who can speak more than one language can apply for translation positions. Depending on the languages you speak, many firms are in need of translators, especially those who have clients from different countries of the world. Immigration firms and government agencies are places in need of this position. 

Freelancer: A freelance position works mostly via a contract and is not part of a certain organization full time. For example, a company hires a freelance photographer to do a photoshoot and they will pay the photographer based on the duration of the shoot. Despite the lack of consistent hours, freelancing is a great way to not only earn money on the side but to work in a field that is similar to your desired profession. Freelance work includes blog writing for company websites/magazines, video editing, social media marketing, graphic design and translators.

Office Administration: Those seeking an office work environment can find part-time positions in office administration. The office may need additional labour to properly have a functional workplace. For instance, a receptionist greets guests, answers calls, schedules appointments and other office maintenance tasks. An administrative assistant may focus more on file management and data entry. A bookkeeper reviews and prepares financial statements and assist with tax audits. A position in this field gives you an in-depth look of the office environment and can prepare you for similar employment down the line. 

Job offer and acceptance

FIND PART TIME JOBS THROUGH mana jobs 

Here at mana jobs, we help Canadian businesses fill job vacancies through the international workforce. We will match foreign talent with the job best suited for their current resume. We work with our sister company, mana immigration, and their team of Canadian Regulated Consultants and Lawyers in order to help ease the immigration process for our clients. 

If you are an international student, either enrolled in a Canadian institution, or in the process of acquiring a study permit, looking for part-time work in Canada, mana jobs can provide you the best possible service. Visit our job page and contact us if you have any questions!