Top 10 Odd Jobs for International Students in Canadian Universities
Here are 10 of the most popular and often flexible part-time "odd jobs" for international students to earn money while studying in Canada:
- 1. Freelancer (Writer, Designer, Programmer)
- Location: Remote (Work from home/dorm/library).
- Expected Income (CAD): $20 - $50+ per hour (Highly dependent on skill and experience).
- Job Time: Extremely flexible; set your own hours around academic commitments.
- 2. Tutor/Academic Mentor
- Location: On-Campus (University/Department), Off-Campus (Tutoring Centre or private client homes), or Remote (Online).
- Expected Income (CAD): $15 - $25 per hour (Higher for specialized or advanced subjects).
- Job Time: Flexible, usually evenings and weekends, or scheduled around student demand.
- 3. Research Assistant (RA) or Teaching Assistant (TA)
- Location: On-Campus (Faculty, lab, or office).
- Expected Income (CAD): $17 - $27 per hour (Often salaried/unionized on campus, competitive pay).
- Job Time: Structured, but usually designed to fit around a full-time academic schedule (e.g., up to 10-20 hours per week). Great for gaining relevant experience.
- 4. Server or Bartender
- Location: Off-Campus (Restaurants, bars, cafes, event venues, often near campus).
- Expected Income (CAD): $15+ per hour + significant tips (Hourly wage may be lower, but tips can make total earnings very high, often $75-$200+ per shift).
- Job Time: Evenings and weekends are most common, which is ideal for students with daytime classes.
- 5. Delivery/Rideshare Driver
- Location: Off-Campus (City-wide, working with apps like Uber, Lyft, SkipTheDishes, etc.).
- Expected Income (CAD): $18 - $25+ per hour (Dependent on driving frequency, time of day, and demand).
- Job Time: Highly flexible; you can choose when you work. Most productive hours are evenings and weekends.
- 6. Library or Administrative Assistant
- Location: On-Campus (University library, department office, student service centre).
- Expected Income (CAD): $17 - $24 per hour (Often competitive on-campus wages).
- Job Time: Fixed shifts, often 4-hour blocks during the daytime or early evening. Great for quiet study time during downtime.
- 7. Translator or Interpreter
- Location: Remote/Freelance, or Off-Campus (Agencies, legal, or health offices).
- Expected Income (CAD): $21 - $35+ per hour (Higher for rare languages or specialized documents).
- Job Time: Flexible project-based or on-call hours; excellent use of multilingual skills.
- 8. Nanny or Childcare Provider
- Location: Off-Campus (Private family homes, often near university housing).
- Expected Income (CAD): $15 - $25 per hour (Higher for multiple children or specialized care).
- Job Time: Flexible, often after school (3 PM onwards) and weekend hours. Can sometimes study while children are asleep.
- 9. Retail Sales Associate/Barista
- Location: Off-Campus (Shopping malls, bookstores, coffee shops, grocery stores, often near campus).
- Expected Income (CAD): $15 - $18 per hour (Typically minimum wage to slightly above).
- Job Time: Flexible shifts, including evenings and weekends. Coffee shops especially like hiring students for their flexibility.
- 10. Dog Walker/Pet Sitter
- Location: Off-Campus (Private homes, local parks, neighborhood routes).
- Expected Income (CAD): $14 - $20 per hour (Often charged per walk/pet or per night for sitting).
- Job Time: Very flexible, typically morning, midday, and late afternoon walks, plus longer-term pet-sitting gigs during breaks.
Important Note: As an international student in Canada, you must adhere to the 20-hour-per-week work limit during regular academic sessions. You can work full-time during scheduled school breaks (like summer or winter holidays) if you meet all eligibility requirements. Always ensure you have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) before starting any job.
Comments (Add)
Showing comments related to this blog.