Is 2.5 yrs master assistanship considered 1 yr work experience?

[born_to_lead]

HI
I am considering applying for PR in June.
I am completing my masters in 2.5 yrs in June and going to join in PHD program after that.
I am getting funding as a research assistant for my master program. I donot have any other work experience.
Am I eligible for PR?

Thanks for your suggestion.

 

[rupeshhari]

if you are applying for FSW category 1, (say like you are a RA in the US), then the RA work counts for points but doesnot fulfill the ministerial list requirement.

While you were a RA, did you teach any class?

if you are applying from within canada, then you might be qualify (i am not sure about this).

 

[born_to_lead]

Rupeshhari,
Thank you for the reply. Yes I am in Canada. I am in Mechanical Engineering.
I have not do any teaching in my masters but I was marker for couple of undergraduate courses (~150 hrs in total). I donot know about the American system but my master in canada is research based, and the funding was for this research purpose.

 

[rupeshhari]

Since you have been living in Canada for at least 12 months, you are in FSW category 3. Forget what I said, because you don't have to fulfill the ministerial instruction criteria. Yes you can apply using your RA. Search for the NOC code.
You'd need a letter from the university to say that you were an RA for 2.5 years. You need to have done (37.5*52) hours of RA in your 2.5 years and you qualify.

Good luck.

 

[born_to_lead]

Thanks Rupeshhari for your reply.
I got a letter from my department but it only mentions period I worked as an RA and amount I am getting paid each month. It does not mention any hours. How CIC is going to evaluate number of years if they don't have any information about #hr/week info or sth. like that? Is there any standard CIC going to use? something like graduate students as RA are supposed to work at least 20 hrs/week..... I am confused. Plz help me.

 

[rupeshhari]

i dont know how they will evaluate. FOr me, it specifically says 20hours and i do let them know that my studies is 20hours / week.

Also since you are studying at the same time, they might assume something, but not sure what.

 

[habib890]

Thanks Rupeshhari for your reply.
I got a letter from my department but it only mentions period I worked as an RA and amount I am getting paid each month. It does not mention any hours. How CIC is going to evaluate number of years if they don't have any information about #hr/week info or sth. like that? Is there any standard CIC going to use? something like graduate students as RA are supposed to work at least 20 hrs/week..... I am confused. Plz help me.

- Take an employment letter from the HR department of your university. In most cases, HR has the standard format of the letter not your department.

Thank you.

 

[born_to_lead]

Thanks a lot. Went to HR and they calculated 12 hr/week. With this calculation I don't think I can claim 1 yr of experience.
During my Undergrade (3rd year, 2005) I was also working part time as a student assistant to one of the profs (different from my current advisor) for one of his project. I think combining those two will get me 1 yr experience. Can I do that?

 

[rupeshhari]

some people say to claim skill level 0,A,B, you must have a degree or diploma before you start the job, so i am unable to answer this one.
However, if you did the duties of an RA in your undergrad, you might be able to.

Leon, BCguy, PMM?

 

[born_to_lead]

Thanks a lot Rupeshhari.
Probably I need to wait until I find a job here.