Going to university is an exciting academic experience filled with learning opportunities and personal growth … but there’s a cost. Tuition, books, student fees, rent, food; all of this comes with a price tag. Financial stress can feel like a burden, but luckily in Canada, working while studying is a common student practice; even for international students! Here are some of the best student jobs that fit around busy study schedules.
Tutor
Depending on the subject and the level of your expertise, this can be a very lucrative job prospect. On average, the pay ranges anywhere between $15 - $30 / per hour and it just goes up from there.
Whether it’s elementary and high school kids or university peers, there’s always a market for students in need of academic help. There are tutoring businesses, school programs, or you can offer your services independently. It’s always easy to post your availability or schedule your own hours.
Tutoring isn’t limited to academic subject matters either. If you have a useful skill (e.g. musical instruments, cooking, etc.), there’s a good chance someone else wants to learn it!
Teacher’s Assistant
If there was a course you excelled at and you’d feel comfortable teaching tutorials, grading papers, and communicating with students, being a Teacher’s Assistant (TA) is a great opportunity to work while staying connected with your area of study.
Being a good student is one thing, but being a good teacher requires a different skill set, so prepare to learn some new skills. The average pay for a TA is about $16/hour and it’s also a chance to network with the professors and push forward your academic career; well worth it!
Translator
Working as a translator is a fantastic job for both local and international students. Keep your language skills sharp and get paid for it! Entry-level translators make about $23/hour - of course, this also depends on skill level, credentials, and the demand for the language.
The job responsibilities can vary from live interpretation, helping individuals communicate, or simple document translations. You can also find translation work to do remotely from your computer. To top it off, you could do independent contract work so you can arrange the job to fit around class schedules.
Bartender or Server
This is a job where you truly get what you put into it. Since the hourly wages can be low, the tips are what you’re working for. The average tip in Canada is around 15%, and it also depends on the establishment you work at.
There is a certain skill set and social ability necessary to do well, so being a bartender or server isn’t for everyone. Most students end up working weeknights and weekends, which also happens to be the best time to make money. However hectic the environment can be, it’s also plenty of fun and solid work!
Dog Walker / Pet Sitter
Rain or shine, there’s a dog out there that needs to go for a walk. Walking dogs for 30-60 minutes is also a great way to stay active while getting paid! The job pays about $15/hour, but you can also check on house pets while their owners are on vacation for extra income.
While you can generally set your own availability, sometimes there can be emergency calls as well so some flexibility is generally important.
There are plenty of work opportunities for students in Canada, so get creative and use your skills to your advantage! Most universities also offer a work-study program that allows you to work on campus during your studies. Lastly, don’t forget to check campus bulletins as well for some extra odd jobs!