Hi there

My wife and I plan to move in April to Toronto as I have received my PR visa. She is transferring with her current employer to their Toronto office but I will have to resign from my current job (asset mgmt/finance). I've been working in the finance industry for 10+ years and being honest do not get much enjoyment from it apart from the paycheck. I've been thinking of either retraining or buying a franchise in Toronto as I have some savings (I could probably commit 100K C$) but am really not sure which direction to go.

I've done a few searches but couldn't find many threads about people making career changes in Canada. What are people's experiences, good and bad? Are there any good resources people can recommend? I am just about to turn 34. I have to admit I'm a bit anxious for things to work out but am equally concerned not to end up in a role no different to my current post here in London. I would consider pretty much anything (I read the truck driving section of the wiki page with great interest), and as many friends have said I'm good with kids have considered retraining as a teacher, although Canadian friends have said now is a bad time to consider a move into that profession.

All advice gratefully received...

Go back to school? Take a diploma or a degree in some other area of interest to you? You have some funds. Canadians like to see credentials and if you want to switch direction completely, don't underestimate the value of the correct piece of paper.

Forget teaching, you'd likely be retiring before getting a full time job.

In England I worked in digital media/marketing. Here I started an equestrian business and shoveled a lot of horse shit.

You can do whatever you like, but just be realistic about the effort it takes and the potential for earnings etc. $100k won't go far for a franchise that's going to make a great deal of income, but it's enough to kick start a small business of your own if there's a niche you think you can fulfill.

as a PR, you get locals rates at universities... thats an advantage

you might also find your work life balance improves a lot here even if you stay in the same field... im not sure about toronto, but ive definitely noticed in calgary that employers seem to respect work life balance a lot more than they do in sydney where im from

The old question is still the best question. What would you like to spend you day doing?

Having answered that, how can you make some money from doing it?

Keep in mind that you will be happier making a little money doing something you enjoy/think is worthwhile than making a lot of money doing something you don't.

Thanks for the replies. Yes, something more rewarding would be great and work-life balance is something I find more motivating than a higher salary at this point in my life. I certainly wouldn't rule out returning to education.

RICH - how did you get into an equestrian business? Was that an interest prior to moving or something which just cropped up when you moved?

I didn't want to sit waiting in England for 3 years of PR approval process, so chose to move and become self employed in order to get a work permit. The land/business opportunity just happened to be located somewhere I was interested in moving to, so I investigated from there. I'd barely sat on a horse prior to that, though my wife rode recreationally.

I think people naturally pigeon hole themselves, and don't challenge convention much when it comes to careers. Emigration gives you certain freedoms from friends/family/colleagues perceptions concerning what you're capable of. It can be quite liberating. After 5 years I felt liberated enough, sold the business and let someone else take care of 40+ horses and their idiosyncratic owners

Depending on where you plan to settle, running a hotdog cart seems like a very good business. Sourcing your frankfurters and buns will be the key to making your business profitable. I'd suggest going with all beef.

Hotdog carts

I agree with Ann - go back to school once you are here and retrain in whatever takes your fancy.

Back in the UK, I worked in biochemical research. But once here I went back to school and retrained as a massage therapist - 2 years of school, but every minute of it was worth it.

I actually am in the fortunate position of saying I LOVE my job now...

Just one small problem. It's very difficult indeed at the moment to get an entry level job afterwards (there are of course exceptions, but it's a high risk strategy for most, IMHO).

Novocastrian raises a good point - the older one is, the more difficult it would be (all things being equal) to gain an entry level job in that new field when the competition is made up of young, fit, single Canucks without familial responsibility or obligation.

I say it's time to put your thinking cap on, dare to dream, shake up the tree of expectations and see what falls out...

If you are shaking that particular tree, I'd recommend a hard hat.

I know, that was particularly egregious use of language. I thought I'd just let it go.

The OP is only 33 - not ancient yet ...