I really need a job in less than 2 months, because I’m being kicked out of the house in 2 months.
I am also a 20 year old university student currently studying Computer Science, and half of my tuition is already being paid by OSAP, which means that I’ll need to pay around $2k for it.
I also don’t have any prior work experience, but I do know Linux, C#, C/C++, HTML, CSS, JavaScript (but nothing advanced like React or SQL or game development), and Java. I also don’t have any prior projects of my own that I can present in my portfolio. After looking at the job market for programmers, I figured that I’m probably not yet skilled enough to apply as a web developer or sysadmin.
I have also asked my school if they have any open positions for something like a TA, but I’m still waiting to make an appointment.
I have also sent out a few resumes to places like Starbucks and Walmart, but so far I haven’t gotten any interviews yet.
My GPA is also like 2.3, so I don’t know if I’ll be able to apply for grants with that kind of a GPA.
I also have my social insurance card with me, so will I be able to get any insurance with it?
I’ve also been hearing on the news that the job market in Canada is being flooded by immigrants, mortgage and rent prices are crazy, and food is also crazy expensive, which really worries me.
I’m also totally stressed out from this.
Datacenters are always hiring, and there’s a reason for that. Godspeed.
Fuck whomever is kicking you out like this. Do they think this is the 70s?
My advice would be to find a temp agency and get an assignment from them. They hire anyone and you’ll end up in a factory or warehouse for 20 bucks an hour.
- MGR Workforce: Offers temporary, permanent, and temp-to-perm placements throughout Ontario, focusing on quality and professionalism with over 20 years of experience [1].
- ABL Employment: Specializes in general labor positions and administrative roles, emphasizing strategic partnerships with clients for effective staffing solutions [2].
- Liberty Staffing: Provides temporary and permanent staffing services with a large database of candidates, known for its customer service and flexibility [3].
- Insight Global: Focuses on recruiting for various roles, ensuring a supportive job search experience [4].
- Randstad Canada: Connects skilled professionals with employers across diverse industries, offering both temporary and permanent placements [5].
Citations: [1] Staffing and Temp Agency in Ontario - MGR Workforce https://mgrworkforce.com/request-workers/temp-staffing-agency-ontario/ [2] ABL Employment - Find Jobs & Staff in Ontario and BC https://www.ablemployment.com/ [3] Liberty Staffing: Temporary & Permanent Staffing Solutions https://www.libertystaffing.ca/ [4] Staffing and Temp Agency in Toronto | Insight Global https://insightglobal.com/locations/ontario/staffing-agency-toronto-on/ [5] Employment agency in Ontario | Randstad Canada https://www.randstad.ca/employment-agency/ontario/
I did a bit of work for ABL in Vancouver, the west coast guys were really shit…
That’s not to say that the Toronto guys are too, but of the bunch of temp agencies I worked with ABL was in the worst 3.
My GPA is also like 2.3, so I don’t know if I’ll be able to apply for grants with that kind of a GPA.
Honestly dude, if you’re doing this badly while living rent-free, you’re going to do even worse with a part-time job and the fear of homelessness on top of it. I would seriously suggest taking a break for a year or two, and joining the workforce (ideally an IT Help Desk role or something related, but realistically, whatever you can get).
This is for 3 reasons:
- It’s better to take a break from going to school (and they will have leave provisions to allow for this) and go on hiatus than fail out and be the black sheep that no other university will admit. It just doesn’t sound like you’re prepared for post-secondary education yet and would benefit from building some life skills.
- It doesn’t sound like your financial situation is in order at all. You need to save up.
- Joining the workforce for 1 year will cause OSAP to consider you an independent student, so your parent’s income won’t be factored into grant and loan applications (you’ll get more grants and loans).
I’ve also been hearing on the news that the job market in Canada is being flooded by immigrants, mortgage and rent prices are crazy, and food is also crazy expensive, which really worries me.
The people that bring this rhetoric up the most online are usually the ones that have given up and simply aren’t competent or willing to compromise for something that matches their aptitude. While quality of life is declining overall in the developed world, immigration is only one part of a bigger problem and things are not that dire that you’ll be on the streets if you are willing to do whatever work you qualify for. If you put in an effort, you’ll figure it out for sure, and if you don’t, you can always apply for Ontario Works/welfare and they will make you do employment training to get you there.
My GPA is also like 2.3, so I don’t know if I’ll be able to apply for grants with that kind of a GPA. Honestly dude, if you’re doing this badly while living rent-free, you’re going to do even worse with a part-time job and the fear of homelessness on top of it. I would seriously suggest taking a break for a year or two, and joining the workforce (ideally an IT Help Desk role or something related, but realistically, whatever you can get).
Well, the during the last few years, I’ve been taking 5 courses per semester, and during the fall semester of this year, I also took some courses from 3rd and 4th year despite me only being a 2nd year student. Also, some courses were quite difficult.
I’ve also figured that there’s just no way that I could handle 5 courses per semester + have even a part-time job + take care of myself, so I’ve emailed my academic advising asking if I could take 3 courses per semester and still be considered a full-time student (because there’s benefits to it like having OSAP).
Also, my school doesn’t immediately kick you out if you get bad grades. If you get a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0, then you’re placed on academic probation, until you get a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0. However, if you get a GPA of less than 2.0 for all your courses in your current semester, only then you can get suspended or expelled.
Go around and look for signs up at fast food or other places that are advertising for help wanted. If you need a job quick you’ll have to go find a desperate employer.
If you haven’t worked before you don’t have any EI benefits. You may be able to receive Ontario Works. Look into this now as there can be a delay to start receiving funds. https://www.ontario.ca/page/eligibility-ontario-works-financial-assistance
Do you think I’ll be able to find a job like that in only 2 months?
Totally depends on where you are and what the local job market is like. It is totally possible though.
Temp agencies are also an option that I’ve used before when I needed work quickly, they want to place you in a job since they get paid for it.
I highly recommend visiting your local employment services office, there should be one near you, it’s a free service that supports you with finding a job and they would have a much better idea about what the market is like in your area.
Your school’s Student Financial Aid office is a good place to start.
And also I agree with the other reply: if your GPA is 2.3 now, don’t expect it to be any better learning new stuff while working your ass off at a part time job on the side.
To address your question, yes it is possible to get a job in less than 2 months, and it is possible to get one in programming at your skill level, though other work like shift service jobs are easier to come by. Recruiting is really in seasons, some months you will hear jack shit and other times you will get many interviews or offers at the same time, that’s just how it seems it goes. If you’re serious about it, get your resume and a sample cover letter ready this week for jobs that are out there currently, to refine it and use online resources as needed. Then starting on Jan 2nd, start applying everywhere, even if you think you’re not qualified. Service jobs, like the local Dollarama or whatever, just go in person and deliver a resume. Do a little bit of tailoring to the letter and resume to highlight that you have what the job posting is asking for.
Dude, don’t sell yourself short. You should get an entry level IT job with your qualifications without to much of a problem. How do you get a job? Apply. Just go and do it. Just make profiles on LinkedIn etc. Also GitHub. You can just upload your student projects. Nobody expects you to have done anything ground breaking. Two months is plenty of time but you should get cracking right now.
If you are sending resumes to Starbucks and Walmart, don’t do it online. Go there in person and hand a paper copy in nice condition. I know these kinds of places may not be ideal to work at, but a bad job is better than no job. You may also want to consider entertainment places like laser tags, escape rooms, etc. as the customers are usually much better to be around with, because they are there to have a good time. They pay about the same as the other “bad jobs”, but the working conditions and coworkers are so much better, they may even make you look forward to working
First, sorry that you’re going through this.
Might be worth contacting your university’s financial services as you have a pretty major change to your circumstances, afaik there’s non GPA related grants (at least used to be), they’ll be able to tell you a lot more.
I had university engineering projects on my resume when I graduated as my summer jobs were labour jobs, it was enough to get me into my first two jobs, first of which was a tech role that I learned a lot in and while tangential to my degree, absolutely opened the door for me.
Could try looking at help desk jobs, buddy of mine did tech support at an ISP during uni, it’s transferable skills too. Looking at smaller (and local) companies well help, probably have an easier time if you’re willing to go into an office (which I get not wanting, remote work is preferable to me, but push comes to shove I’ll do a soul crushing commute again).
Do you have friends or family that might be able to give you a place to stay? May also want to look at your region’s youth services and organisations like yws.
Craigslist has job postings per city. Walk an area that has lots of business and check in to see if they need help. Meanwhile keep applying for your dream job.
There should be openings for basic jobs after Christmas as students start their new terms. So check Walmart or Tims or wherever after the new year.
Don’t work at Walmart store, work at Walmart IT.
Doesn’t Walmart pay the tuition for a bunch of Ontario colleges as long as you work 24 hours a week?
I’ve seen them mention something like that in their job postings, but I’m not sure whether or not if they cover all the tuition or just a part of it.
Idk. In the US it pays for limited college programs as long as you’re employed