We are planning to land in Ottawa in May 2006. We have chosen Ottawa for the moment based on work possibilities that we see in our field, as many International development agencies where we can potentialy get work are located in Ottawa. Another option is to go to Guelph as we can try something at the Rural Extension Depatment at UOG. But, I am sure once we land we will find much more opportunities. We have not looked at Toronto area, as we read from your forums that Toronto area is industrialized and we wouldn't fit into that.

What kind of jobs are available in Ottawa and Guelph? How are rentals in these two places.

We would be grateful if you share your personal experience.

dil

First of all, congrats!.

Job depends on what background u have. Getting contracts from international dev agencies is not that easy, but not impossible. Let me know what is your background. I can find out who r in that field who can provide some guidance.

DIO

Thanks Desi in Ottawa for offering to help. I do understand that it is not going to be easy getting contracts from International Development Agencies. But, as you also say, I do believe that it is not impossible. Sustained efforts over a period of time should get me there, perhaps after getting canadian qualification /skill. That is why I also look at asscoiating with University of Guelph, Rural Extension Studies department in some way or the other. Well, I am trying to prepare myself before landing.

My Qualification: BSc (Agriculture) from India and MSc (Ecological Agriculture) from The Netherlands.

My Experience (Total 12 years):
1. Training Govt. and Non-Govt. Extension staff in Rural development, Agriculture and Natural Resource Management technical and participatory Research and Extension methods with multi-stakeholders' approaches, mostly in India.
2. Coordinating Comparative Research on Organic farming with Conventional farming in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
3. Undertake Monitoring and Evaluation missions for funding Agencies in India in the field of Natural Resource Management projects.
4. Coordinate web-based MIS development for development projects.

My Skills:
1. Computers: Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Presentations, Graphics, basic websites & databases, Internet ....
2. HRD: Training, Facilitating multi-stakeholders' (Govt./Non-Govt. Extension staff, farmers, scientists) workshops, Guiding and Advising projects, Leading project activities ...
3. Writing: Training, Mission & Workshop Reports, Documentation, crop prodution & field training manuals .....

The reason we have looked at Ottawa is that I see poential employers in my field and background, my wife has a close friend in Ottawa, my son is into inline speed skating and there are good opportunities for him to join good clubs.

Hope that you can guide me better with above information. From your experience, you could aslo suggest another place in Canada which might be better suited. We can always shift later, but don't know how difficult that would be.

Thanks once gain,

dil_2006

dil_2006,

Please note that social life, speed skating, etc are secondary issues. Primary issue is the work. As you meniotned that your wife has a close friend in Ottawa, they should be able to help you out.

Best of luck in your endeavours.

DIO

Yes, work is primary issue and that is why I am exploring the best place to settle in where in my background can be of use. My wife's friends' background is different and they did not quite seem to understand our background and hence I am posting on the forum so that others can also help me out. What do you think? should we still come to Ottawa or look for another palce?

Thanks.

dil_2006

For agriculture Manitoba,Sakatchewan and Alberta are good.

http://res2.agr.ca/lacombe/index_e.htm

Try to do a Canadian Masters in agriculture which will open all the doors here. Canadians do not take foreign degrees seriously.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Ever dance with the devil in the pale moon light?"
"I always ask that of all my prey."
"I just like the sound of it."

How much would it cost to do MSc / PhD? Is teaching assistantship or research assistantship available to manage the costs?

dil_2006