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What job do you do now and what job do you want to do in Canada?

What job do you do now and what job do you want to do in Canada?

Old Sep 16th 2005, 6:19 pm
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Default Re: What job do you do now and what job do you want to do in Canada?

I'm a software developer in the oil/gas industry although since I'm originally a chemical engineer I may go back to designing oil processing facilities since there are masses of opportunities here that also pay better. I'm doing the same job here as before although to keep HRSDC happy I had to change from contract to permanent employee status. Booo.

In an ideal world I would jack it all and become a professional ski bum/instructor but I don't think that would pay the bills to keep the family happy
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Old Sep 16th 2005, 6:49 pm
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Default Re: What job do you do now and what job do you want to do in Canada?

I was a software/I.T. dude in the UK (19 years man and boy) working on financial applications.

I was intending for Canada to be a new start and to re-train and do something else (I din't think I would get a job - no oil and gas experience). However, a balance sheet's a balance sheet no matter what industry and after trying semi-retirement for a while I'm now a software consultant in the O & G industry.

I might still re-train in the coming years, but I'll have to sit down and have a real think about what it is that I really want to do. And that is the hardest part
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Old Sep 16th 2005, 7:51 pm
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Default Re: What job do you do now and what job do you want to do in Canada?

Hi,

I was a General Manager for Tesco before arriving in Canada, am now a self employed painter and decorator. I have no stress, a life, get to enjoy the incredible Canadian outdoors when I like, get to see my wife more than once a week, don't have 300 moaning staff to deal with or no twat of a boss demanding blood. Ill never be rich painting but what price can you put on quality of life?

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Originally Posted by Bsidebaby
Well I thought it might be interesting reading if we all put down what jobs we do now and what jobs we want to do once in Canada.

As for me I am a Secretary/PA and would like to become a Wedding Consultant in Canada as well as running my own online Rosary business.

What about you'all?
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Old Sep 16th 2005, 8:21 pm
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Default Re: What job do you do now and what job do you want to do in Canada?

Originally Posted by SAW 04
Hi,

I was a General Manager for Tesco before arriving in Canada, am now a self employed painter and decorator. I have no stress, a life, get to enjoy the incredible Canadian outdoors when I like, get to see my wife more than once a week, don't have 300 moaning staff to deal with or no twat of a boss demanding blood. Ill never be rich painting but what price can you put on quality of life?

SAW 04
Amen to that Bro.

If I'd stayed in my job in the UK, I'd be making approx £60k now. Most of which would have gone on the mortgage for a box somewhere in the Home Counties that took me two hours to get to/from each day.

Making just over half that now (in pounds, anyway), with a two-second commute and a closet full of suits quietly turning to dust. Formal attire involves trousers that go below the knees. Seriously formal means shaving.

And I have a garage full of power tools that I have the time to use, abuse and hurt myself with. The Citizenship test really should have a section on router bits.
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Old Sep 16th 2005, 8:51 pm
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Default Re: What job do you do now and what job do you want to do in Canada?

I wanted to be an NHL hockey player ... nobody told me that I had to learn to skate first

Used to be a self employed in the UK, now an employee in Canada - lots less stress, paid vacation, benefits, etc, etc.

Nice
 
Old Sep 16th 2005, 8:52 pm
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Default Re: What job do you do now and what job do you want to do in Canada?

Originally Posted by Cowtown
I wanted to be an NHL hockey player ... nobody told me that I had to learn to skate first

Used to be a self employed in the UK, now an employee in Canada - lots less stress, paid vacation, benefits, etc, etc.

Nice
I actually became an NHL player ... for the whole of last season
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Old Sep 17th 2005, 1:50 am
  #22  
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Default Re: What job do you do now and what job do you want to do in Canada?

Originally Posted by Posidrive

In an ideal world I would jack it all and become a professional ski bum/instructor.....
That's exactly what I would like to do. A lot more of the former would be the perfect lifestyle. Damn shame it doesn't pay very much..
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Old Sep 17th 2005, 11:53 am
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Default Re: What job do you do now and what job do you want to do in Canada?

Originally Posted by SAW 04
Hi,

I was a General Manager for Tesco before arriving in Canada, am now a self employed painter and decorator. I have no stress, a life, get to enjoy the incredible Canadian outdoors when I like, get to see my wife more than once a week, don't have 300 moaning staff to deal with or no twat of a boss demanding blood. Ill never be rich painting but what price can you put on quality of life?

SAW 04
By Hec! I thought I was reading my own profile there. I switched from superstore management to painting and decorating 10 years ago for the same reasons. Having just landed I am looking at carrying on as the quality of life or work / life balance suited so well.
Any tips on setting up would be handy as my tools may arrive next week!
Perhaps someone can think of a name for the business.....In the UK I was simply Crisp Decorating but decorating here is more interior design I thinks!
I shall register a name next week and I understand it should include your personal name and the type of business somehow......limiting eh!
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Old Sep 17th 2005, 8:41 pm
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Default Re: What job do you do now and what job do you want to do in Canada?

Originally Posted by Bsidebaby
Well I thought it might be interesting reading if we all put down what jobs we do now and what jobs we want to do once in Canada.

What about you'all?
Management cosultant - specialising in supply chain and operations - with one of the big accounting firms. In the process of transferring across to the TO office. Would like to set up a small business within five years.

H
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Old Sep 17th 2005, 9:18 pm
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Default Re: What job do you do now and what job do you want to do in Canada?

I'm a pre-school teacher here in Norway, and hope to use my skills in the same line of work in Canada. If anyone needs a nanny or babysitter in Ottawa, let me know!

Last edited by Wannabe; Sep 17th 2005 at 10:13 pm.
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Old Sep 17th 2005, 9:38 pm
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Default Re: What job do you do now and what job do you want to do in Canada?

Currently a Firefighter in Merseyside,hoping to be able to move London,On.
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Old Sep 18th 2005, 1:31 am
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Default Re: What job do you do now and what job do you want to do in Canada?

Originally Posted by Posidrive
I'm a software developer in the oil/gas industry although since I'm originally a chemical engineer I may go back to designing oil processing facilities since there are masses of opportunities here that also pay better. I'm doing the same job here as before although to keep HRSDC happy I had to change from contract to permanent employee status. Booo.

In an ideal world I would jack it all and become a professional ski bum/instructor but I don't think that would pay the bills to keep the family happy
From a Chem Eng background too mostly process design. Had a couple of interviews with a major player in Alberta but came to nowt - I don't think they were quite sure what they wanted. Initial impressions of O&G in Canada is that you almost have to be a jack of all trades - engineer/ accountant/ business analyst rolled into one..they don't ask for much!!! No probs on my UK qualifications but lack of canadian experience came up (unofficial feedback as I met someone from the same company later on). Would appreciate any tips you have on how to get into the field to include relevant agencies.
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Old Sep 18th 2005, 2:00 am
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Default Re: What job do you do now and what job do you want to do in Canada?

I was a Supply Chain Manager back in UK and now am Director of Supply Chain for a company in NL. I have however swapped the consumer/wholesale electrical accessory business for the seafood business. Once I shipped plugs and sockets around the world, now its fish!

In an ideal world I'd be doing something involving tourism and mucking around in boats. One day mebbe.......
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Old Sep 18th 2005, 3:20 pm
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Default Re: What job do you do now and what job do you want to do in Canada?

I am currently an electrician in the UK but want to become a police officer when I get to canada.
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Old Sep 18th 2005, 4:18 pm
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Default Re: What job do you do now and what job do you want to do in Canada?

Originally Posted by Almasi
From a Chem Eng background too mostly process design. Had a couple of interviews with a major player in Alberta but came to nowt - I don't think they were quite sure what they wanted. Initial impressions of O&G in Canada is that you almost have to be a jack of all trades - engineer/ accountant/ business analyst rolled into one..they don't ask for much!!! No probs on my UK qualifications but lack of canadian experience came up (unofficial feedback as I met someone from the same company later on). Would appreciate any tips you have on how to get into the field to include relevant agencies.
This is a bit of a difficult one, especially if you are not yet in Canada. The word around town at the moment is that there is an immediate need for about 200 Chemical Engineers in Calgary/Alberta. Our company is loosing a lot of people to the E&C companies, even those with somewhat tenuous oil and gas experience such as documentation engineers have moved into process engineering positions. So try directly contacting the local big players such as Jacobs, Colt, Bantrel and Fluor. One option if you are not yet her might be to try to get a job with one of theses guys in the UK and try for an inter office transfer after a successful project completion. Jacobs, Fluor and Bantrel (Bechtel) have UK offices.

You might also want to invesigate trying to get a job in the Fort McMurray area to jump start the Canadian experience. It's the back end of nowhere, but not a lot of people want to go there despite the relatively high wages. Not likely to get a pure design job there, but at least something using Chemical Engineering experience.

There are many, many recruitment agencies here. There is a directory you can buy that gives industry specific agency contact details. My copy is still in a box waiting to leave the UK, so can't remember what it is. I got it at the Sandown Park Emmigrate show. To be quite blunt, for chemical engineers the Monster and Workoplis web sites are a waste of time. Anyone else know these directories?
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