Was there enough opportunity in Canada for you?

I'm in California precisely because I haven't been able to find work in Alberta since acquiring my LL.M. in 2003. I would have been happy to take a job in almost any field - just to have a job - just to pay the bills, but I couldn't get a thing. My 'expertise' is in health law and policy, but, truly, I'm not picky. I applied for all sorts of traditional legal positions (I have about 7 years experience as a lawyer in different settings), non-traditional legal, human resources, management, non-profit, research, writing, public relations, teaching, insurance adjuster, secretary - anything. No luck. Not even a phone call. I utilised all the resources I could find with regard to career counselling services, headhunters, etc. all with no success. I am not a person who is considered to be a member of a visible minority group and so I am a little bit curious as to how those who are in such communities can know that it is this which is the cause for their employment issues. Could it be possible that there is a group of people who simply have a more difficult time finding employment? Could it be that the more specialized our employment becomes, even if we are open to other jobs, we are viewed as being a difficult prospective employee? In times of depression and cynicism, I have even considered that perhaps Alberta is not quite comfortable with well-educated, well-spoken, confident females, but, of course I cannot claim to know the reason for my lack of employment success. To answer any obvious questions, yes, I did apply for jobs outside of Alberta and across Canada as well. Thus, at this point in time, in order to try to gain some (hopefully beneficial) experience and make a bit of money, my husband lives in Alberta and I live in California. Given that I have a TN visa and he does't fall into any of the special categories for any work visas, he's not entitled to work here. This has caused enormous strain on our new marriage and we are desperately trying to find a better solution, but until I'm able to secure some sort of employment at home we simply can't justify attempting to support 2 people on his relatively low income (particularly in the context of the high cost of living currently in Alberta).

I only speak on issues where I have a vast amount of experience. I know for certain I wasn't able to obtain certain jobs because of my ethnicity. I always figured maybe my dreadlocks were the reason I was unable to obtain a job I was well qualified for. I worked for a car rental company where ethnicity wasn't an issue at all and because of this I loved working there. However, it always bothered me that the company would sponsor an American for a position I know with all confidence I could do. They kept placing Americans on employment visas for positions I would apply for and wouldn't get and the excuse from the employer as to why I didn't get it was always LOUSY.

Had it not been for all of this gerbal wheel run a round, I'd still be in Toronto because I love it there. But I'm not going to settle for any odd job just to make ends meet when I know I'm well versed in another job. I'm quite happy with our decision to relocate and wouldn't trade it for anything else. It's also nice to know you found work in your field. I'm sure you would have much rather found the work in Alberta

(particularly in the context of the high cost of living currently in Alberta).

Compared to the Bay Area?

(particularly in the context of the high cost of living currently in Alberta).

Compared to the Bay Area?

Yes - when compared to what I might make as a cashier at 7-11 or whatever job I might be able to get (not a skilled or professional position). My husband makes $15/ hour, which makes it tough in central Alberta where the boom hit big (and thus, with my "okay- but-not-amazing" wage in the Bay Area we still can save a bit and not bunk in with our parents!).

Yes, Dremani, I'm with you in loving a place, home really, and wanting to work there (which is why I would have taken a much lower paying job in a totally unrelated field). Ah well. And, like you, I've pondered at length the possible reasons for me not getting opportunities at home (am I too much of this, not enough of that?). I think that its disheartening for anyone in such a situation but I personally feel that its really hard when someone has trained a long time to develop marketable skills without resultant opportunities. For those of us in that boat, we clearly know ourselves well enough to know that to be truly happy we want a personal life (close to family for me) and a job where we can be challenged and flourish. Good luck to everyone!

However, it always bothered me that the company would sponsor an American for a position I know with all confidence I could do. They kept placing Americans on employment visas for positions I would apply for and wouldn't get and the excuse from the employer as to why I didn't get it was always LOUSY.

Wasn't this to do with the strikes at Pearson? I remember there was a big stink about it. They started trying to hire Americans to replace "awkward" people and they thought they'd be less likely to strike.

Term "visual minority" sometimes doesn't make any sence , especially in GTA. In our company (about 1000 employees) , only 15-20% "whites" ,especially in IT. So, "white" is a "visual minority"

Well, one thing is for sure that Canada is one of better countries to live in compared to others. I am a proud Canadian.

Now coming to opportunities in Canada, I think everyone will agree that Supply is more Vs. Demand is less. Given that, it is obvious that each and every immigrant will not get the job of desire.

If you look at the U.S., Supply is more, Demand is also more. So, these two countries should not be compared. This is my personal perception.

Also, I have seen many of visible minorities getting good paying jobs.

The term MINORITY

A minority is a sociological group that does not constitute a politically dominant voting majority of the total population of a given society.

The term VISIBLE MINORITY

Visible minority is a term used primarily in Canada to describe persons who are not of the majority race in a given population.

Originally, "Kg Carter" mentioned the term minority when sharing this post. I applaud him for not ignoring the issues in Canada in regards to this. The previous post mentioned plenty of persons of a visible minority have good paying jobs. While I do agree that there is a plethora of individuals of visible minority who have good paying jobs, we cannot ignore the VAST majority of those (of visible minority) with education in Canada who remain in the constant struggle of finding this type of employment. So lets not pretend that every person gets a fair and square chance of securing executive type jobs in Canada. This really isn't the case! These issues do exist in great lengths and I can attest to my own experience as well as the experience of others as to why it's more difficult for us to get a good job in our own country. If you go to the U.K. which I've been or certain parts of the U.S. (NY) which I've also been, you will see that many different folk regardless of race, gender or creed maintain a well paying job SOLELY based on non other than good 'ol qualifications.

Canada on the other hand, you may have to know someone who knows someone who knows your uncle and grandma before you are able to get at least one foot in the door. And if you survey the surroundings of certain corporate businesses, its quite clear and abundantly obvious who they want and what "type" they are looking for. This is my honest opinion so....

Very SAD indeed

Canada on the other hand, you may have to know someone who knows someone who knows your uncle and grandma before you are able to get at least one foot in the door. And if you survey the surroundings of certain corporate businesses, its quite clear and abundantly obvious who they want and what "type" they are looking for. This is my honest opinion so....

Very SAD indeed

I second you on this one Dremani - I'm finding this to be more true as time goes on (and extremely disheartening as a farm kid with no great ties to the world of exciting career opportunities). I think that I was idealistic as a youth when I believed that a commitment to social justice, working my butt off, volunteering and getting good marks would be enough to land a great position. Maybe someday....? [I hope I don't sound too depressed. I just went home to renew the ol' visa and am missing friends and family.]

Canada on the other hand, you may have to know someone who knows someone who knows your uncle and grandma before you are able to get at least one foot in the door.

I'm about as white as white gets, if I was any whiter I'd be visible from space and I've had that problem too. I don't think it's a racial thing, it's just people like people like themselves, whether it's the accent, the background, the race, etc.

I've been in jobs where I was responsible for hiring people and you always try and be objective but when you look at a list of who you recommended be hired you can see patterns. For example I used to recommend women get hired more often than men, not sure why really, but it was there in black and white. They were usually clerical positions and more of the applicants were women I guess.