Quote:
Originally posted by Delhite
There are few things you should keep in your mind while jumping into Canadian Job market. Soft skills play very important role so spend first few weeks/months on learning/polishing them. Another point is to keep your options open – location wise as well as role wise. Be ready to start from any level of your field. I would say, even keep your option open to modify/change you career/field/domain. When I landed here, I was in engineering domain but most of the manufacturing/engineering jobs were already outsourced so in the first month itself, I understood that I have to change my career. I spent around a month to study the prospects of other careers and finalized top three to take a plunge. I picked the career which was 180 degree apart but I would like to give you an example of my known person, who was an architecture graduate from Delhi University and came almost the same time I came, with few years of working experience. In the first few months, he also understood that architecture work in North America in not the same as in India. He started looking into deviating to another career with better prospects where he can re-use his technical skills. He came across the Building Maintenance Technician’s profession which had a constant demand and wide scope. He waited for one year, to be eligible for the OSAP load and joined Centennial College. Thereafter, he got his first break in a rental building. After six month, he got into Ministry of Health’s office building where the maintenance was given to specialized company. I think it was the same company which owns 407 ETR. The role was to see that all functions of building are in good working condition. For regular maintenance, they had 3 handymen and for any other work, they had a list of on call sub-contractors. His job was to keep an eye on all building machinery, allocate work to the handymen, prepare job orders for the external sub-contractors/technicians and prepare weekly reports for the management. The last time I met him in around 2010 and he was maintenance manager of Rogers Center, drawing 6 figures annual salary. His salary was more than an average IT guy’s salary so TK, don’t think only IT guys make most money.
The crux of this example is that you have to be ready for the change and think beyond the box. Unless you think that you are born to be an architect and cannot do anything else, explore where can you divert your skills and where future prospects are brighter. A long time back, someone told me that an average Canadian changes career 2-3 time in life so be prepare and take it as an opportunity to explore the new domains. Be ready to come out from your comfort zone – believe me, you will enjoy it later.
+1 Delhite. Good post.
Architecture is one of the toughest fields to settle in Canada. In fact even in the USA.
If you want a job try middle east. They pay well.
USA and Canada have a saturated market for architects. Canada has extremely stringent rules to even call you an architect, leave alone the privilige to practice. i know from friends as well.
If you want to do a Post Grad University program and then go back to India, that will work
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Non illigitamus carborundum
Location: God's own country
Posted on: 16-03-15 06:55:07
my known person, who was an architecture graduate from Delhi University and came almost the same time I came, with few years of working experience. In the first few months, he also understood that architecture work in North America in not the same as in India. He started looking into deviating to another career with better prospects where he can re-use his technical skills. He came across the Building Maintenance Technician’s profession which had a constant demand and wide scope. He waited for one year, to be eligible for the OSAP load and joined Centennial College. Thereafter, he got his first break in a rental building.
Not disputing it and trying to be very positive and reality should not be ignored.
It is safe to say that this is a time tested model that works in Canada (for people other than in IT and esp. professionals). I have known many people who have earned sucess in it.
Now in this age of the internet, I am sure that many people know that this is the way to go. Just want to explain to the new immigrants, the potential financial liabilty in this method.
1. You arrive in Canada. You have to pay rent, hydro, other expenses and wait for a course to start in the university.
2. Say that for one year, you do a labour job to get OSAP, get to know the Canadian culture etc..., you will be living hand to mouth. For people for whom labour jobs are hard, they may have to dip into their savings.
3. You get a 1 year or a 2 year course and you study with OSAP loan and may be a part time labour job. For that one or 2 years, you will need to dip into your savings or take from the OSAP loan.
4. You graduate. You are competing with the local born and educated people. If you have chosen a wrong course or graduate at a time of recession (as it is now), you are doomed.
5. You will have to wait till the economy recovers . So till that time, you again start working labour job hoping that the recession ends.
So if you see, if you donot choose the right path, then there are problems. When I arrived in 2002, I brought in 12,000 $ (all my 3 years savings in saudi). Att he end of 6 months (with occasional labour job), I had $ 4000 remaining which I sent to my mother in USA for her pacemaker part expenses. After that was depending on PC Financial credit card. Situation was so bad that I was filling up PC Financial credit card at all shopping centres for the box of cooking for my snacks ( I did not know about food banks and soup kitchens then). I was single and sharing a 2 bed apartment with 3 more people. My rent was around $ 350 per month and $ 200 was the apartment mess expenses. Like a fool, I was cleaning my apartment (alone) every friday as I was afraid that when I left, the landlord will bill me for cleaning expenses when I left. My other 3 roommates used to just sleep as they were content with labour jobs / gas station jobs.
Based on my experience (and only my experience), I would suggest the following :
1. COme as a Bachelor. Your chances are much better. You will not get as depresses as one whose souse is a house wife and with small children.
2. Try to get some certifications and go as a technician. So if you are a mechanical engineer, then go as a gas technician or a NDT tester etc.. If you are a elecrical engineer, try some electricity testing license etc.. That is what is in demand in Canada.
Murali
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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.
Quote:
Originally posted by mkpr
hi guys, this is my first post. i would appreciate helpful suggestions
I completed B.arch from India last year and im planning for a post graduate course in Canada related to my field. i have 1 year of experience, i know its not much so before i opt for the course i would like to know :
1. Can i work under an Architect for job experience? ( im not looking forward to settle in Canada at the moment, i just need job experience).
2. what are the chances that i might get a job?
3. is Architecture in demand in canada??
Here is my take:
1. As others stated, foreign trained Architects are NOT in demand here in Canada. Unless, you are quite an enterprising and entrepreneur (with street smartness and salesmanship). Don't go as per Canadian Govt.'s points list for immigration purposes. Industry works differently here and not in tandem with the Govt at all.
2. Having said above, do come to Canada for your Post Graduate degree/diploma. With the studies, you have a better chances to land up an Architectural job. Merely immigrating to Canada on a skill level won't do. With educational program, you put an extra effort and have a higher degree of networking with Peers, Professors, and an industry co-ops. In the meantime, you can always do a double take on achieving a local licensing. Double the hard work.
3. I do think however, having an excellent soft skills, communication, and presentation skills coupled with a Canadian Post Graduate program, with a higher than average know-how in your field somehow work in your favor. It's possible, but hard.
4. Last, but not the least. After your Post Graduation and if you don't achieve success here, get ready to head home to India. You will be advantageous with a foreign education in hand.
In a nutshell, do come here for studies, but not for immigration if you are an Architect. I have rarely seen a Des educated/trained Architect here in Canada. The ones that have been actually changed their fields.
While you're at it - PLEASE, DO NOT GET MARRIED until you achieve success. I can't stress on this enough.
Location: God's own country
Posted on: 16-03-15 14:17:15
Guys,
I just spoke to the OP over phone.
Person is interested to come to Canada only to a course. Person is not interested in immigration.
I am going to talk to the person in detail tomorrow.
Murali
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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.
