can my research assistantship count words work experience?

[J-Do]

Hello,
I recently graduated from a BSc program at one of the Canadian universities, and I was also accepted into MSc in engineeing program at the same university. In the letter of admission, it says I will recieve $12000.00 per year in a form of research assistantship.

I emailed my supervisor and asked her how many hours of week of work this research assistantship will entail, and she emailed me back as shown below:

"RA - research assistantship is not a salary, as the name implies it is an assistantship for helping a graduate student financially. Graduate studies is not a job; a graduate student is doing course work and thesis research for his own interests and benefits; your supervisor is here to guide you so that you can complete your degree successfully. Graduate studies is goal oriented and thus there is no pre-set hour limit. Most graduate students spend significantly more than 40 hours a week in course work and research. "

...will my research assistantship count toward 1 year work experience required under CEC?
I mean, I am still getting paid .... :S

 

[jes_ON]

There is considerable debate on this forum about this topic - do a search to read previous posts.

In my opinion - No, not if you are not an employee of the university. What you will receive is a stipend, not a salary or wages (and will likely receive a T4A instead of a T4). You are supported to do your own research, not someone else's. Your supervisor clearly knows the difference.

From a practical stand point, you would need a letter of employment from your supervisor, as well as the ability to document the number of hours you worked. Doesn't sound like that is a possibility.

On a positive note, congratulations on the research assistantship! What that means is you can do your studies full time, and not have to do other work at the same time. Be grateful

And look into the Provincial Nominee program for your province. In Ontario (Opportunities Ontario) currently has pilot program where anyone who graduates with a master's degree from an Ontario university automatically qualifies for PR (no job required).

 

[PJones]

Hello,
I recently graduated from a BSc program at one of the Canadian universities, and I was also accepted into MSc in engineeing program at the same university. In the letter of admission, it says I will recieve $12000.00 per year in a form of research assistantship.

I emailed my supervisor and asked her how many hours of week of work this research assistantship will entail, and she emailed me back as shown below:

"RA - research assistantship is not a salary, as the name implies it is an assistantship for helping a graduate student financially. Graduate studies is not a job; a graduate student is doing course work and thesis research for his own interests and benefits; your supervisor is here to guide you so that you can complete your degree successfully. Graduate studies is goal oriented and thus there is no pre-set hour limit. Most graduate students spend significantly more than 40 hours a week in course work and research. "

...will my research assistantship count toward 1 year work experience required under CEC?
I mean, I am still getting paid .... :S

Same here. Im doing my phd and am employed by the university as a RA/TA. I have letters from my supervisors, human resources and T4/T4A's. Still not sure whether I meet the graduate stream requirements but at this point I'm just going to apply and see what happens.

 

[Essat]

There is considerable debate on this forum about this topic - do a search to read previous posts.

In my opinion - No, not if you are not an employee of the university. What you will receive is a stipend, not a salary or wages (and will likely receive a T4A instead of a T4). You are supported to do your own research, not someone else's. Your supervisor clearly knows the difference.

From a practical stand point, you would need a letter of employment from your supervisor, as well as the ability to document the number of hours you worked. Doesn't sound like that is a possibility.

On a positive note, congratulations on the research assistantship! What that means is you can do your studies full time, and not have to do other work at the same time. Be grateful

And look into the Provincial Nominee program for your province. In Ontario (Opportunities Ontario) currently has pilot program where anyone who graduates with a master's degree from an Ontario university automatically qualifies for PR (no job required).

Please note also that recent changes to the PNP in British Columbia enables graduates from Masters and PhD programs in natural, health and applied sciences to apply for PR in advance of receiving and accepting a full-time offer of employment, eliminating the need to wait for a job offer. This is a three-year pilot project. The main difference between the new category and the old is that these graduates do not require a job offer from a BC employer in order to apply; they will however be required to demonstrate their intent to reside in BC and their ability to become economically established in the province.

Essat

 

[PJones]

Please note also that recent changes to the PNP in British Columbia enables graduates from Masters and PhD programs in natural, health and applied sciences to apply for PR in advance of receiving and accepting a full-time offer of employment, eliminating the need to wait for a job offer. This is a three-year pilot project. The main difference between the new category and the old is that these graduates do not require a job offer from a BC employer in order to apply; they will however be required to demonstrate their intent to reside in BC and their ability to become economically established in the province.

Essat

Ugh waiting for Alberta to catch up...

 

[borna]

Hi
Did you finally apply for ECE? Do you have T4 or T4A tax forms for your research assistantship?\
Cheers
Borna

 

[Prabhas]

hmm interesting... WELL I also have a question I will be doing a Research Tech job on my Post graduation work permit, if my supervisor/employeer gives me a stipend will that be ok? I mean if he pays say 14,000 per year which is about 4.32 $ per hour for 40 hours per week can I apply for CEC after One year or you need to have a minimum salary of 10$ or 15$ per hour?

 

[jes_ON]

Prabhas, honestly, it sounds like you are trying to "game" the system and I think CIC will think that, too. C'mon, even students make more than that - or at least the 14,000 "stipend" will be for part-time work. It sounds like your "supervisor" should be hiring a student, and/or you should be on a study visa, not PGWP.

And yes, I think the slave wages will raise a red flag.

 

[Prabhas]

hmm I was skeptic about that.. anyways he is waiting for his grant till february, and has told me he would give me the "job" so probably if its 1600$ per month I think I could be safe? What is the min salary I should ask him?