seunfoster:
I have OND Accounting, B.Sc. Economics, AAT, ACA and MBA Finance as my qualifications/certificates. What is my best option in terms of Occupation, education and province/region in canada. Any information will be appreciated. Thank you.

Wura27:


Like the Anthony Martial fan on twitter who said Hello to him every day for almost 3 months before he got a response, I would also send this every day until someone replies me..........

Please where's the best province for an IT Auditor/ Securities who has wholly worked in the banking sector (Operations and Audit)

Ballerz:


Toronto and Calgary
Target consulting practice. KPMG EY Deloitte PwC

Blingyrie:
An interesting page if patient https://www.quora.com/What-is-your-biggest-issue-when-it-comes-to-immigration-to-Canada

Wura27:

You're too much! I'm sure targeting the Big 4.

Thanks very much

Hephgirl:
I keep thinking about it o.... How to deal with dem without cane or yelling.
I point my finger and behave as tho I will flog him with my finger.... That has been working for now. Lol
With have to start researching Other options. Lol

Wura27:

Yea I'm writing CISA next month and might do CISM before I leave. I guess experience backed with certification is the way....

@ hotter than transformer!

Please take these-

Thanks so much!!!!

tribeD:
Hello everyone, this thread is awesome..

I finally completed reading from pages 0-60 of this thread and I must commend everyone who has been contributing. I salute our elders here : Blackbuddy the gentle helper and encourager; maternal- the hard hitting, blunt but practical man, TheCongo2- insightful with very strong and helpful points, Salford1- my fellow Engineer with pictures and fantastic contributions that make one feel like they are in Canada already. Vcole, honey86: Wura27, SlowlybtSurely , 40manlappy , Ehrnie , Ekpekus, dupyshoo, Ballerz, Canadianfly, MummyJaygirls and every other person I say a big thank you for keeping this thread alive and for your insightful contributions.

We are awaiting our stamped passports and our profile on myCIC account has finally shown ‘approved’.

A quick one, I have a Masters in Chemical Engineering from the UK (same field for B.Sc) but about 4 years experience is in drilling with an international firm. I want to move on to my main field which is chem. Engr, please what course(s) and/or certifications would you suggest I pursue. I am doing my own research at the moment.
Will an MBA help in terms of getting better job for an Engineer?

Cc black buddy, salford1, maternal, fusion23, TheCongo2

seunfoster:
@ Buddy and [color=#006600][/color]Salifod et al, please help out with the questions below. Thank you.

seunfoster:
I have OND Accounting, B.Sc. Economics, AAT, ACA and MBA Finance as my qualifications/certificates. What is my best option in terms of Occupation, education and province/region in canada. Any information will be appreciated. Thank you.

Alikote:
which of the move is best express entry or post study work visa am 35 years old am very careful not to derail (if i was 27 i woudnt even think twice)

Ballerz:
Hi Czaratwork,

I will appreciate if you send the ACCA to CPA conversion route and no ACCA/ACA to CPA route. My goons need that info. my email is adeballer@gmail.com

Secondly, I think you should target Toronto. The financial market is huge or Calgary. You do not have to live in Toronto. You can live in Brampton or Mississauga.

Cheers Bro.

seunfoster:
Thanks bro. I have worked in an audit firm before for almost a year before proceeding to banking industry. I still work in a bank and it will be five years by Nov 1st. I started as a FT officer and later added system administrator and ATM custodian to it. After 11/2 yes, I became head teller operations and later proceeded to be a reconciliation officer at the Head office. I am good with nos and analysis. I'm also good at managing people and situations very well. Anything that involves punching nos, I am down with it. I think with these few info, you can help me with the right pointers. Thanks once again.

Blackbuddy:


Hi, education comes into consideration AFTER work experience. Canadian experience is highly prized, the next thing is foreign experience and if it is properly packaged. I don't mean 'panel beating' your resume please and packing small lies into it but painting a realistic picture of yourself in a way that attracts the typical Canadian hiring manager. You will need to learn how to write a targeted resume and move away from our CV mentality. Your many titles/certs above may/will need to take a back seat to what you have 'been doing' professionally and what 'you can do' for a Canadian employer. Above all, that is what they (Canadian employer) want to know; what can you already do and what will you do well for me?

So, what's your working background and what do you think you can do in Canada based on your research so far? What are those skills you have that are transferrable to what you have found at this time? Let's start from there if you don't mind.

Ballerz:

I think after CISA go for CGEIT. It fits the unit called SPA. System Process Assurance.
The CGEIT is designed for professionals who have management, advisory, and/or assurance responsibilities relating to the governance of IT.

Blackbuddy:


Hi, I believe you will be able to find a position to start off with based on your current experience while you pursue the necessary engineering licensure. A break down for this was recently shared on the thread by salford1, https://www.nairaland.com/3617393/living-canada-life-canadian-immigrant/52#59515959

I wouldn't advise rushing into an MBA just yet, not that it isn't good but you may come to find life pulling your career in another direction in your field. I would feel you should land first, see what is happening, see where employers are hiring vis a vis your skills, network with people already working here, see where various sector of industry are heading and where/how you can position yourself for the long term future.

An example, some people I know in Saudi Arabia are already thinking how they can transit their engineering skills in the petroleum sector towards solar technology as the Saudi government is diversifying away from dependence on revenue from fossil fuels. So likewise, research online and see where engineering is going in Canada and how you can position yourself to be in a good place 5 years from now professionally instead of doing 'catch up' at that time.

I have a friend here who was into power systems back in Nigeria, batteries and electrical back up systems etc. Having landed here, he got a job in this same field through Linkedin but is now studying for an opportunity to get into solar power as a tech. He got his job and started to read and pass each stage of licensing and certification required for his job. Having gotten some certificates under his belt, he has switched to another employer and doing well. This guy is also now able to do minor electrical work for people and getting paid for it, private practice.

The Ontario government is going big on solar power having shut down coal power processes a few years back. As manufacturing concerns are looking for cheaper and environmentally friendly power sources, they are taking advantage of government incentives to acquire and install solar power systems, not only nuclear. A lot of people are also getting solar systems for their personal homes and getting incentives from the provincial govt for this. Once one installs a solar power system in your home or personal business, you get a reduction in your hydro bill especially if you are generating and feeding power into the public grid. So you can imagine the sort of work/contract opportunities for the companies and people who have experience in this area.

If after you land, you still want the pursue the MBA, good and fine. At least you would have 'seen for yourself', the way the wind is blowing and set your sails accordingly. My main point is please be open to what is available through lots of research for someone with your skills. Networking and reaching out to people on ground will save you lots of time and bring you closer to your aim. I came with certain expectations too based on my previous experience in control, audit and fraud investigation but I ran my ideas by those I met on ground in my banking and finance area. I learnt from their experiences and coupled with the training for experienced newcomers I received, I made some moves. Not long after, I found myself in AML Investigations, a related field I wouldn't have thought of back home. Less then 2 years at this job and another unit in the same bank is coming to poach me to join them on High Risk Investigations because of the successes I've recorded in my current unit. This is another people manager role, the only person hired at that level with non-Canadian experience in the group, no fancy certifications, just experience and demonstrated skills. If I was not open to research, study and mentorship, the story may have been different. If I had discounted my foreign experience, I would gone on a round-about journey only to arrive here in some donkey years whereas my directors value what I have to offer. I still pursue mentoring opportunities and also actively mentor others in return, that way, I'm ahead of the curve, always in the know as to what is going on. Please see this post I made concerning some organizations dedicated to helping newcomers find some success after landing, you can get in touch before you land to learn of how they assist and see if their services make sense for you. https://www.nairaland.com/3617393/living-canada-life-canadian-immigrant/43#59077193.

Hope these tips help.

salford1:

Blackbuddy's reply is so robust that i dont even know if there is anything else i can add to it...Everything he said is on point. Alberta is going totally renewable for electricty genedation by 2025 i think..alot of coal plants are being closed.. Sask definitely by 2030. Infact, alot of electricians at where i work are being sent for training in solar installations. Alot of colleges are adding new solar and renewable energy programs to their list of courses offered.

Chemical Engineering has many options incase drilling doesnt work out. Is your drilling experience offshore or onshore...Oil exploration in canada is mostly onshore
Do you have transferable skills from your previous experience? you might want to do a thorough market research yourself into what the chemical engineering field is like in Canada.

Engineering in Canada is not like Nigeria or some other EU countries where people pack certifications
..certifications would only be good if you want to work in some technician roles.

Note that some of this certifications pay well too, and if you are not focused, you might even forget about engineering.. An example is an indian guy i know working as a power engineer (Process/steam/boiler operators are called power engineer here in canada). The lad took some certificates courses in power engineering. The certifications starts from 5th or 4th up to the way to 1st. He is now on his 2nd class...and his biweekly cheque after all deduction is $3500. The last time we spoke, he seems to have forgotten about going back into engineering proper for now. I dont blame him... Another field were people get a few certificates and start making lots of money is NDT. If you chose Alberta, there are many other certificates e.g in the safety field that may just be good for seasonal employment. check out enform.

To get into engineering proper, All you need is your degree, PMP along the line and MBA if you want to move to management within the organization after gathering lots of experience and probably moved around within the same organization..

In the US MBA is highly valuable within the engineering profession, but not much in Canada. It doesnt really give you any advantage in "breaking" into the market except you are looking into engineering sales and not practice. Most engineers i know with mba in canada only went for it when they feel they have hit the roof in career advancement at work and not as a means of breaking into the job market.

pauloverdi:


35! 35! Well life is for living bro. For me the best way of looking at it is this; "considering every other thing being equal, and with the experience I have now, if my dad had the same opportunity choice when he was my age, what would I have advised him to do?" Even Jesus had to die to ascend...

Yooku:
So there is Salford and Salford1 on this thread? Is it me not being observant enough as I just realized this after having been on here a few months?

I have a question about working in Universities or Colleges as non-academic staff. Does anyone have experience in this area? Specifically in IT? Do the Canadian universities offer the kind of stability and career longevity as the government jobs seem to offer? Do the Canadian universities/colleges give accommodation for their workers? Forgive me if these questions are silly & odd. My African me asking these questions. I was born, bred and buttered on a University campus for 30+ years of life, living in very decent university housing and enjoying the serene and sane environment and just moved out recently after parents retired so although I didn't like the relatively slow pace of University life/work compared to the corporate world where I work in currently, I'm seeming to lean towards that environment for Canada. My seniors in the field who work with the Univ/colleges in the US seem to be doing well and settled nicely there, and also considering that I will be settling down in Canny with someone who is headed for academia I'm wondering how life will be for a University-based family in Canada. My eyes light up when I see these academic institutions advertising roles in my field with quite decent pay and benefits. Am I chasing "fools gold" as @maternal puts it? All contributions from all landed seniors are welcome @Blackbuddy @TheCongo2 @maternal

tribeD:
Salford1, many thanks for your response.

My drilling experience was offshore although the experience can be applied onshore. I do have transferable skills in drilling but I am looking at going into chemical engineering fully. Some aspects/operations in drilling also uses chemical engineering principles.
A look through Engineers Canada website (http://engscape.engineerscanada.ca/careers/chemical-engineers/#ac_ictcAnchor4) is helping us with our research and plans..

For starters I plan to network, volunteer, look for opportunity to work in technical or engineer role under a Professional Engr to gain Canadian experience while I work on getting the required certification. I hope to build up things little by little.
I am still looking into the option Power Engineering which you mentioned....seems like an interesting area.

Please after landing. My family plan to return to base while I remain in Canada. I will like to know if the minimum of two years stay in Canada also apply to them?

seunfoster:
Thanks bro. I have worked in an audit firm before for almost a year before proceeding to banking industry. I still work in a bank and it will be five years by Nov 1st. I started as a FT officer and later added system administrator and ATM custodian to it. After 11/2 yes, I became head teller operations and later proceeded to be a reconciliation officer at the Head office. I am good with nos and analysis. I'm also good at managing people and situations very well. Anything that involves punching nos, I am down with it. I think with these few info, you can help me with the right pointers. Thanks once again.

salford1:

Salford was my original account till spambot got hold of my account; hence, I had to open a 2nd account . Salford1 is logged in on my phone and salford on my laptop.

University jobs are relatively stable aslong as students keep enrolling in the programs. Job opening in universities would indicate if position is contract, temp or perm. University here sometimes do drop unpopular programs if enrollment has been low consistently for some years and this means lay off if no transferable skills, but this is not common.

I have never seen or heard of Universities here offering staff quarters like they do in Nigeria. You would most likely have to get your own place in town. I lived in staff quarters life all through my stay at uni...lived in a bbq owned by one of dad's friend. My dad was an alumnus of the samd uni and a lot of his colleagues stayed back to lecture.

Your field is IT, the Canadian experience wahala hardly affects IT careers. IT is the same everywhere in the world.

Ekpekus:

Yeah.. you are right. Alternatively, some IMGs go to UK or US for residency and come back here to start practicing.
My belief is this: As far as people get matched via CRAMS, then we fight for our place.. we have put our hands in the plough and no looking back.
Make we relate for one corner @vcole

Ekpekus:

Yeah.. you are right. Alternatively, some IMGs go to UK or US for residency and come back here to start practicing.
My belief is this: As far as people get matched via CRAMS, then we fight for our place.. we have put our hands in the plough and no looking back.
Make we relate for one corner @vcole

Alikote:
u haven't said any thing

pauloverdi:


I'm just trying to say that after considering all the pros and cons, deciding to immigrate depends on your own view of your personal circumstances..... basically I faced the same dilemma when I got the passport request email. I totally freaked out. I actually called my friends in Canada and complained bitterly...lol... how was I going to drop everything and just "gbapu" like dat? truth be told I was just "trying my hand" at the express entry thingy and I was almost hoping the application would be refused so I could be free to spend funds on certain ongoing projects that were paused because I needed to build my pof. well now I have my visa, have resigned my job, wifey just resigned too, im set to arrive Vancouver next month, and im basically one step away from the leap of faith....

am I scared? hell yeah!... am I worried that things will change a lot (especially financially)? hell yeah! in fact as soon as some customers of my former employer heard I resigned they started pushing business my way.. without me asking for it. I still work everyday, have barely had the time to even do some prearrival stuff I would love to do... even closed some deals i've been chasing since early this year within the last week... there is suddenly so much incentive to stay... but i've got my mind made up..... after a lot of soul searching i've found the inner peace to make the move.. the landed seniors here have done a lot to build my confidence, and I am eternally grateful to them... i'm about the same age as you are, and i've decided to reinvent myself.... lets see how it goes

salford1:

Face the wall for some minutes works very well. Atleast for my kid.