Quesions for non-canadian people working in calgary

[kaishen]

Have intentions of going over calgary after i have finished my bachelor degree in electrical Engineering in Singapore next year. Have a few questions to ask.

1. hows the working experience here n calgary. is it ifferent from your own native country? is there any discrimination

2. how hard it is for you to get a job in calgary. Is it even harder since you're not a canadian? ad companies have to go through the extra mile to make a work permit for you.

3. How did u manage to find your 1st canadian job...does gg to employment agencies help?

[kaishen]

anyone?

[Ekliptix]

Being white is a minority at my company of 130 people who half are prof engineers.

[kaput]

.

[lilmira]

The market is really busy now. Most companies are constantly looking for people. However, being a foreigner, especially that you are not currently in Canada, can be a bit of a challenge. First of all, it is more difficult to arrange for interview. Secondly, even if the company is interested, they have to do a bit of work for you to apply for work permit.

Our company has employed foreign worker so I don't think it's uncommon nowadays. You would probably need some good connections. As long as someone is interested in hiring you, the paper work part shouldn't be anything to worry about.

I haven't experience any discrimination at work. I've been lucky to work with friendly people. However I do believe discrimination does exist. It's just not something I would worry about too much.

[kaishen]

hmm i think language wont be a problem for me since we're doing english as first language and chinese as a mother tongue. read write english proficiently, though am thinking of picking up french but i doubt its widely used in calgary. Wow the link seems to be pretty useful!


ekliptix, what comany are u working in? PM me?

[Ekliptix]

we don't do any electrical engineering.

[kaishen]

lilmira>>i should be coming over to calgary for half a year to a year on a normal visit pass, so was wondering if its possible to find an engineering job here, maybe find a temporary job to sustain my living costs. Staying with my aunt so i could actually afford to take my time to look for a job since i dont have to worry abt lodging cost. So by that time, going for interviews wont be a problem i think

[Team_Mclaren]

you cant work anywhere without a work permit

[boxer23]

come at your own risk, i know people from other countries taking jobs as clerks and janitors all of them are well educated, some even were DOCTORS AND ENGINEERS IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY.
it is very very hard to find a job in canada being foreign trained, trust me, just google it and you will see what I mean. I would rather go to some place where your training is respected like Dubai or some Asian/African country
IMHO:eek:

[kaishen]

wow i really dont wish or see myself working as a clerk or janitor. My School is pretty recognised with good international rankings. Hopefully that might be good enough. Prob by that time, i will check with you uys again if there are any openings. looking to go into telecomms/wireless industry.

Some of my friends encourage me to go while some said that mine is like a wild dream. But to me, i think it might be good to venture out when i am young, whether i am gg to succeed or fail in the end, i dont think i have much to lose. At least i gain good experience. But if i dont go over, i might live to regret it or it will always be at the back of my mind. haha

[GTS Jeff]

Originally posted by kaishen
Have intentions of going over calgary after i have finished my bachelor degree in electrical Engineering in Singapore next year. Have a few questions to ask.

1. hows the working experience here n calgary. is it ifferent from your own native country? is there any discrimination

2. how hard it is for you to get a job in calgary. Is it even harder since you're not a canadian? ad companies have to go through the extra mile to make a work permit for you.

3. How did u manage to find your 1st canadian job...does gg to employment agencies help?

1. Calgary is probably the most redneck out of all the major Canadian cities. (For example, it's one of the few places where people still use the word "gay" in a derogatory manner.) If you are educated and openminded, this attitude might bug you a bit. But no, it's not openly discriminatory or anything. No one will look at you funny or anything.

2. Calgary is in a crazy economic boom right now. Even janitors are making double the minimum wage. Don't let that comment about foreign doctors being janitors scare you. The guy is talking about people from 3rd world countries. I doubt he knows that Singapore is a sophisticated 1st rate country that outperforms Canada in many ways.

[Team_Mclaren]

a better question is, if you are well-educated why risk it to come here? Start in Singapore and develop there. Do you have work experience? Because thats huge for employers here, without it, you have no advantage over someone who doesnt have work experience here either... And it's less of a risk for them to hire a Canadian than a foreigner

[Antonito]

Originally posted by GTS Jeff


1. Calgary is probably the most redneck out of all the major Canadian cities. (For example, it's one of the few places where people still use the word "gay" in a derogatory manner.)

You've never been outside the Calgary city limits, have you?

[Daan]

haha well said
was thinking the same when read his post


Originally posted by Antonito


You've never been outside the Calgary city limits, have you?

[lilmira]

Yeah, Singapore is no third world. You would probably still need to do the technical exam if you want to get your PEng here. Check with APEGGA.

I do agree with you about going some place else to try your luck. It's an experience for sure. You can read about it or watch it on TV but there is nothing compare to living right in it.

Keep all your channels open, make contact and let them know why you want to work here.

It might be a dream but if you don't do something about it will always be just a dream.

[khtm]

Why don't you email APEGGA and ask them your questions? They should be very helpful. This link should give you all the info you need too: http://www.apegga.org/Applicants/IEG/toc.html

Even though everyone likes to believe that all foreign Engineers drive cabs that's entirely not true. I believe APEGGA has like a 90% approval rate for foreign Engineers applying for and going through the process of becoming a P.Eng.

Now since you're an EE, you'll find it harder to get a job in Calgary than other disciplines (like Mechanical or Civil), but it shouldn't be too difficult as long as you're willing to start in a position a bit outside your field. Also, if you wanted to work in Oil and Gas you can get a job in the field as an EE a lot easier than an office job in Calgary.

[kaishen]

Team_Mclaren>>no i dont have experience but i am most willing to learn. Hmm if i am going to work first in singapore, then most likely i will just stay put there and not think of shifting and this will just be a dream

Khtm>> ya i think i should email them soon and check out the details and the stats before i come over. i'm actually specialising in infocomm, telecommunication, cellular signal stuff.

Yah singapore is pretty advanced and i have canadian friends who want to come over to work in Singapore. Haha, well it always seems like the grass is greener on the other side.

http://www.topuniversities.com/worlduniversityrankings/results/2006/top_200_universities/

anyway my sch is ranked 61th , not sure if thats helps..haha...
prob can print it out and affix to resume.hee

[maximus]

To work in Canada you will need a work permit. If you are not an ‘intra-company’ transfer, meaning you have worked for the company for at least 12 months, then you will have to do an LMO which will take at least 3 months. And at the end you may not be approved depending on what position you will take. That said most companies will not be willing to wait 3 months for a foreign worker, especially a freshly graduated one, unless you are willing to work for dirt cheap.

The company I work for is based out of Europe. All of the engineers here are on local contracts for 1-2 years except for 3 or 4 of us. Most of our people are from France and Italy and they make some great coin and even better perks. However, they are experienced. They make way more then the average wages here but the people with little experience make a little less then the average.

That being said, our company has recently hired engineers from India and actually 1 person from Singapore that were not working in the company. However be fore warned that these people are making ridiculously low wages. I know of a few that are making as much as the admin staff.

Honestly your best bet is to do some research on ongoing projects in Alberta and Canada and try and get a job on site not in the major cities and let them know you are willing to accept lower wage. These jobs will give you a place to stay and food for free so gives you a chance to save your money and cushions you from our huge cost of living. Even though you wage will be low you will still be able to save most of it.

[kaishen]

what is LMO?

anyway what is the range of salary that could be considered as ridiculously cheap?

are there any websites which i can check for job offers?

[maximus]

LMO=Labour Market Opinion. Basically if you can find a company that will be willing to hire you they must submit one of these and the government basically determines if there is an actual shortage or need for these types of workers in Canada. They can be strict but if the company uses a good lawyer they can usually make it happen. Add another 2-3 weeks for appeal letters full of absolute BS. We use a very good lawyer through Bennet Jones and they have managed to get everyone ever requested through LMO's (most had to be appealed) except for 1. The position was a welder. Side note: there is no way a welder will get into Canada for work.

Ridiculously cheap? How about CDN$35,000-40,000/year for experienced engineers +10 years. But apparently for them this is a lot of money and they send their salary back home to their families each month. They agree to it so it must be beneficial to them.

[kaishen]

wow 35000 to 40000 is kinda low. how much are fresh grads getting in comparison to what you have stated? I dont mind starting low but it would be good if job prospects are good, am looking at a long time plan, not just a short term contract work and leave after a couple of years.

[01RedDX]

.

[maximus]

Originally posted by 01RedDX


Just to answer this question, engineering is probably the most culturally diverse work environment one can find in Calgary.

That is very true.

Kaishen, to answer your last question, honestly I don't see you being able to come over here as a fresh grad. It would be too much hassle for our local companies and they have tons of new grads from here to pick from.

Your best bet as far as I can see is to get a job in your country. Find a company that does a lot of work overseas or is subcontracted by other big North American/European companies. Then once you have experience you can transfer over here. But if you don't like to do short term contracts like 1-2 years then don't even bother. That is the nature of being an expatriate. Short term contracts and you jump around a frequently.

Or your other bet is to do some sort of intern/fresh grad program. I'm in Montreal right now for a few weeks and there is one girl that came on one of our projects out in New Brunswick as a school intern type deal for summer. Now as of September she was offered contract to work full time and she accepted. If your school is as recognized as you say it is I have a hard time believing that they don't have something like this and are connected with big companies.

One company that you should research is Saipem. I believe they have project in Singapore so I'm sure they would be interested in a local person. Unless that project has been completed. But it is still worth a shot. Huge company with projects all over the world.

But ya, basically if it's your dream you can definitely do it. But be realistic in the fact that it probably won't happen right away. You will have to put in your time but if you do you will be rewarded greatly.

[maximus]

Originally posted by kaishen
wow 35000 to 40000 is kinda low. how much are fresh grads getting in comparison to what you have stated? I dont mind starting low but it would be good if job prospects are good, am looking at a long time plan, not just a short term contract work and leave after a couple of years.

Unfortunately the reality is that there are tons of Engineers, especially from India, that are willing to accept those wages. To them it is worth it because of the exchange and the fact that all expenses paid while they are over here and they just send full paycheques back to their families in India.

[TomcoPDR]

Originally posted by Antonito


You've never been outside the Calgary city limits, have you?

that's the places where you're indoors and still hear the humming from the 12" lifted, 4 door crew cab, $100,000 diesel trucks idling.

With farm plates :rolleyes:

[a1jatt]

Originally posted by GTS Jeff
... Don't let that comment about foreign doctors being janitors scare you. The guy is talking about people from 3rd world countries. I doubt he knows that Singapore is a sophisticated 1st rate country ...

Which ones are the third world countires..and what does a "third world country" mean to y'all..?

[kaishen]

i sense there's gonna be some flamming here. =)

anyway thanks for all the replies. Maximus, you have a good point but maybe i will just come and give it a shot, if it doesnt happen i just take it as a good vacation and go back to sg. If God-permits and it happens, that will be great. i Have already done my internship in singapore, i was originally offered a place in this company in calgary but things din work out as they are offering an internship that is so much longer than what my sch offers. Anyway i am not keen in working elsewhere in canada except calgary, because i would like to link up with my aunt and she stays here. so it might be really really unlikely if i get a job in a big company in singapore and they ever send me here. canada would be a rare opportunity and calgary would cut the possibility to almost 0.

Prob if i ever could come over, maybe i pm you guys and we'll meet for a drink. haha... =)

[lilmira]

Keep your options open. Europe is also a good place. I know people who went to UK to do 1yr master program and ended up working there now.

[GTS Jeff]

Originally posted by Antonito


You've never been outside the Calgary city limits, have you? Can't you read the little box next every one of my posts that states a location outside of Calgary?

Daan, you are equally dumb. :thumbsup:

[GTS Jeff]

Originally posted by a1jatt


Which ones are the third world countires..and what does a "third world country" mean to y'all..? You're supposed to learn these sort of things in grade school in social studies. If you've forgotten, hit in Wikipedia.

[kaishen]

gts JEff>>good answer to that. =) Well usually third world countries are those countries receiving help. First world country are those who render help. =)

[maximus]

Originally posted by kaishen
i

..... but maybe i will just come and give it a shot, if it doesnt happen i just take it as a good vacation and go back to sg....

Just remember you CANNOT work in Canada without a work permit. If you enter with a visitor visa and you are caught working you will be deported. Or if you end up getting a job and getting a Visa, if you stay in Canada during the processing period they can infere that you have been working for the past 3 months even if you havn't so they can refuse you your work permit at immigration and put a limit before you can apply again. I think its min 5 years. You should leave the country during that period. You must also leave the country to get the work permit. You can't simply go to Immigration in Calgary and pick it up; you must be entering at a port of entry from outside the country. So if you do find a company you mind as well leave while the work permit is in process becasue you will have to anyway. Good luck!

[Antonito]

Originally posted by GTS Jeff
Can't you read the little box next every one of my posts that states a location outside of Calgary?

Daan, you are equally dumb. :thumbsup:

Then what is your excuse for thinking that Calgary is one of the few places redneck enough to use gay derogitorilly? Hell, just look at the internet, every 4th response is "you're gay". Or if you mean in a hateful way, again, look at the internet. Lots of people hate gay people. Calgary sure isn't special in this respect. All the places I've been in the last 5 years, they all pretty much talk the same way, at least in Canada/US

Also:

The Simpsons: You're gay for Moleman (jokingly)

Ann Coulter (hatefully)

Fox News

I'd be more inclined to think Calgary was a backwater hick town if it didn't use gay like the rest of the world does

[rc2002]

Originally posted by Team_Mclaren
a better question is, if you are well-educated why risk it to come here? Start in Singapore and develop there.

Exactly. I was in Singapore in May and there's no question about it, I would NEVER choose Calgary over Singapore. Quality of life is so much higher in Singapore, even more so since QOL in Calgary has been tanking these last few years.

From the people I know in Singapore, earning power is a lot higher. Not to mention the transit system rocks, housing is more affordable, government savings plan/pension rules, there's way more city life (and somehow it actually still feels safer to be walking the streets there), plus you never get winter. It's all pluses in my book.

[kaishen]

Prob like i said the grass always seemed to be greener on the other side and that's prob why i desired to go over.

Ya singapore is a safe nation, there's no prob roaming on the streets at night. There's more night life here and you will find it interesting because it has higher population density. meaning. if you are are on the pavement, there's bound to be people also.

Earning power is increasing with the government emphasising big time on education. However there is high inflation and Singapore has no qualms in having big amts of foreign talents from the region which makes it to be kinda uncomfortable place to be in. On top of that, it seems to be lowering the benchmark for degree holders which i foresee that problems will occur for individuals because its no big deal being a degree holder, the value of the certificate is decreasing exponentially.

Housing and cars are expensive here in SG and i really want to see myself in debt throughout my life. Typical singaporean would be indebt after he leaves sch, to pay off sch fees/get married/housing and car loan. this might extend all the way till you are 60years old.

Transit system and transport is of a higher quality than calgary

But what calgary attracts me is that i know i would have gain valuable experience working in canada, it will be a new phase in my life, you know how it is like when everythingbecomes routine and you would have gotten used to the things around you. i see it as a challenge. Of course in comparison the pay is higher but that is measured up by the high standrad of living in calgary. The natural sights in calgary is something we dont really get in singapore and that kinda excites me a lot.
Oh yah, males in sg have to serve the nation as a soldier too haha.

In terms of cleanliness, i would think both sides are on par.
of course there are some personal reasons also but i guess i shall nt disclose it here.
well,i think i still have lots of time to consider and anyway i still have 2 more semester to go before i graduate =)


Maximus>> does that mean i could come over, do an interview, apply for work permit, then leave singapore. Returns again to work? how long do i need to wait for a work permit?

is a work permit generic? meaning if in the midst of leaving the job for another job, will the work permit follow you or you have to reapply again?

[teggypimp95]

A Lady at my work came from south america. She was a petroleum engineer over there, and once she came here, her degree was not valid. She had to take another year course here that upgraded her degree to be a valid petroleum engineer here. She wasent happy, she was killer smart and doing stuff summer students do. But now she is out of that and a chemical engineer. So be prepared to do more schooling once you get her becuase your degree over there doesent mean much over here.

[GTS Jeff]

Originally posted by Antonito


Then what is your excuse for thinking that Calgary is one of the few places redneck enough to use gay derogitorilly? Again it seems you have a problem reading. I will repost what I wrote the first time to save you the trouble of scrolling up. You're welcome.


Originally posted by GTS Jeff
Calgary is probably the most redneck out of all the major Canadian cities.

Other such major Canadian cities would include Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa...Well, ok maybe Quebec City is worse, :rolleyes:

Ironically, it's a pretty inbred thing of you to come so swiftly to Calgary's defense. Calgary is nice in many ways, but it's not perfect, and the red neck attitude of many of its people is one minor turnoff.

[Antonito]

Originally posted by GTS Jeff


1. (For example, it's one of the few places where people still use the word "gay" in a derogatory manner.)

Interesting that you left out the part that matters.

Never said that Calgary wasn't redneck, just that I have no idea how you can think that few places outside of Calgary use gay as a derogatory term.

Oh, and I don't come to Calgarys defense out of some sort of civic pride. I've only lived here for about a year now. That's why your statement confused me. In Vancouver, one of the most liberal cities in North America, everyone uses gay in exactly the same way as here. Hell, even the gay people call each other gay. And despite what the media would like you to believe, there are also a ton of people that actually dislike gays.

[GTS Jeff]

Originally posted by Antonito


Interesting that you left out the part that matters.

Never said that Calgary wasn't redneck, just that I have no idea how you can think that few places outside of Calgary use gay as a derogatory term.

Oh, and I don't come to Calgarys defense out of some sort of civic pride. I've only lived here for about a year now. That's why your statement confused me. In Vancouver, one of the most liberal cities in North America, everyone uses gay in exactly the same way as here. Hell, even the gay people call each other gay. And despite what the media would like you to believe, there are also a ton of people that actually dislike gays. Substantiate that.

[Antonito]

Originally posted by GTS Jeff
Substantiate that.

You've got me there. Beyond the personal experiences I've had, and the mass media examples I've given above, without coming to meet you and bringing about 100 or so people from different cities, I guess I can't substantiate it to your satisfaction. I've given a lot more proof than you, but whatever.

[khtm]

Jeff, did you conveniently forget Edmonton as a major city? :D

[l/l/rX]

the engineering firm my dad works for employs a TON of philipino immigrants. heh he actually does the interviewing and most of the hiring for the electrical eng. department there.

Jacobs engineering.

[S4maniac]

Lifetime Calgarian and I don't hate gays ... I think its funny how much God hates them though!


Originally posted by Antonito


Interesting that you left out the part that matters.

Never said that Calgary wasn't redneck, just that I have no idea how you can think that few places outside of Calgary use gay as a derogatory term.

Oh, and I don't come to Calgarys defense out of some sort of civic pride. I've only lived here for about a year now. That's why your statement confused me. In Vancouver, one of the most liberal cities in North America, everyone uses gay in exactly the same way as here. Hell, even the gay people call each other gay. And despite what the media would like you to believe, there are also a ton of people that actually dislike gays.

[Antonito]

I think it's pretty funny that a lot of publicly staunch opponents of gay people end up having a gay relative. It shows that if there is a God, he/she/it has a sense of humor

[a1jatt]

Originally posted by kaishen
gts JEff>>good answer to that. =) Well usually third world countries are those countries receiving help. First world country are those who render help. =)

Since my intentions are neither to offend anyone, nor to hijack a thread potentailly helpful to many future canadians; i will not go in details. But my suggestion to both of you, specially Jeff&gt is that learning a little more than what we learnt in 8th grade is always beneficial.

World has changed a lot since then ...

[GTS Jeff]

Originally posted by Antonito


You've got me there. Beyond the personal experiences I've had, and the mass media examples I've given above, without coming to meet you and bringing about 100 or so people from different cities, I guess I can't substantiate it to your satisfaction. I've given a lot more proof than you, but whatever.

I'm just arguing with you in the hopes pinoyhero will see we aren't some sort of e-gang (as he accuses in the student loan thread)

Originally posted by khtm
Jeff, did you conveniently forget Edmonton as a major city? :D

Edmonton is just as bad. Well, maybe a little less bad. The mayor here makes it a point to attend the gay pride parades, whereas if I recall, Calgary's mayor wasn't quite so down with it. But yeah, both cities suffer the same problem more or less.

Originally posted by a1jatt


Since my intentions are neither to offend anyone, nor to hijack a thread potentailly helpful to many future canadians; i will not go in details. But my suggestion to both of you, specially Jeff&gt is that learning a little more than what we learnt in 8th grade is always beneficial.

World has changed a lot since then ...

That's a great suggestion. In some ways, I guess that's why I'm still in school. What have you done? :rolleyes:

[maximus]

Wow a lot of uselss sh!t in this thread.



Originally posted by kaishen



Maximus>> does that mean i could come over, do an interview, apply for work permit, then leave singapore. Returns again to work? how long do i need to wait for a work permit?

is a work permit generic? meaning if in the midst of leaving the job for another job, will the work permit follow you or you have to reapply again?

Technically you can come here as a visitor, look around for a job and such and if the company agrees they can apply for a work permit on your behalf and you wait for it to be approved. Then you can simply fly out of the country and fly back in to pick up the work permit. However, when you return back into Canada and pick up the work permit the immigration officer will drill you. Obviously they will see that you stayed for the three months and if they suspect for any reason you were working during that period they will send you back right there and you will not be able to re-apply and I believe they can even ban you from visiting again. They take that very seriously here. We had one lady engineer come in on a business visa which states that they can have meetings and whatnot but NOT work. Well her work permit was in process (intra-company so 3 weeks or so) and she had two huge chests of clothes and stuff sent over here. Well they called her to pick the up and as soon as she got there they locked her up in a room and held her all day. They said that obviously she was working because of all the stuff she had sent over blah blah blah. Anyway, after full day of detainment they called our lawyer and then me and some quick thinking on both of our parts we managed to convince the officer that she was here just for meetings and she was not deported.

We also had an accountant come from US on same thing business Visa (Our US company was dead set that she didn't need a work permit). Anyway her business was almost expired and so our lawyer said just get her a work permit, this time she will need it. Can't come again as a business visa as those would be long meetings (6 months!) Anyway, we got her one and she left and when she tried to get back they turned her around and would not give her the work permit that was approved because they felt that she was working (which she was). Anyway they wouldn't even let her back in to get her stuff. We had to send someone to pack her stuff and send it to her.

Sorry for the long stories but they're just to give you an idea of how serious they are. My advice would be come here as visitor and go for interviews. If someone is interested then have them apply and go back home immediately and stay there for the 3 months. Maybe maybe they can get you a business visa and convince them that you will be just observing untill work permit is approved and not working but I don't know if that will work. And can't really get the word of one immigration officer as you will never deal with the same one and they will not even give you their name when you deal with them. So you can't say something like well so and so told me it would be ok. So I would just go back home and wait it out. Better safe then sorry.

Oh ya, and work permits are company specific and location specific. So if you get one with one company and you quit or are fired you will have to go through it all over again and wait another 3 months. Maybe shorter as it could be classified as a change but even those are at least a month. Sorry for the long post but I hope that helps.

[kaishen]

woah maximus you do provide useful information....!! it seems like immigration officers are some secret agent service. haha =) yup, will observe this rules tightly. Thanks for the valuable advice!

anyone else has anything to share other than the redneck gay stuff? erm u guys can set up a thread, dont hijack mine! =)