Part-Time Job

I officially started with my part-time job at a fast-food chain.

As an international student allowed to work only for 20 hours/week, my options are limited, both on the work hours and my shift availability.

My studies remain the top priority. With a full-time course load Monday to Friday, with 2-3 hours of classes for each course per week, some in the mornings or the afternoons, I can only take on evening or graveyard shifts. This is so it won’t conflict with my other job.

Yes, I retained my employment from back home since they authorized me to work remotely. So why did I get a part-time job in Canada?

The goal is to gain local work experience so I’ll have exposure to the Canadian workplace and culture. It enables me to get better paying jobs later on. That’s ‘Canadian experience’ to you.

How would I manage my work hours while being a full-time student, you ask?

Time management and self-discipline.

I have to be efficient in utilizing my class hours doing course-related activities.

Whether it is working on an assignment, required readings or case studies. The latter could be tricky when working with a group, but I’ll have to take the lead so that whoever I team up with is mindful of our respective portions to contribute in a timely manner.

I have to set a daily routine that takes into account other activities in keeping up a household.

Things such as dropping off or picking up my son from school, preparing meals before I leave and when I arrive from work, and chores to fit in between the work hours for both jobs.

It sounds exhausting, but we do what we have to do. In my case, this is the reality of being in a single-parent household. I am responsible for all aspects not just financially, but everything else in between.

Having two jobs on top of my full-time studies means I have to sacrifice not being able to do ‘fun’ things for a while. But as long as it supports my long-term goals for moving to Canada as an international student, it’ll be worth it.