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Changing Careers

Reorienting Your Career: Changing Plans and New Beginnings

It takes time to find employment, even for people born and educated in Canada. It is not always easy to find work in Canada that corresponds with your skills and experience. You need to find out what is expected by employers in your specific occupation or industry, in the city/town where you plan to work. Coming to a new country can also mean a change in careers. Some people change careers because it is too difficult or not possible to find work in their former career. Others change careers because of opportunities not available in their country of origin. Researching careers, knowing the specific requirements and assessing your own skills and abilities are all important aspects of this change.

There are organizations in Simcoe County that can help you find work and plan your career in Ontario. For more information, please see the Employment Ontario Employment Services section

When looking for employment in Canada it is important to be flexible and open to different opportunities. If you are finding yourself in that position, you may want to research professions that are expected to expand.  You will want to consider how past experiences and education contribute to a new field. An alternative job is a position in the same or a related field to your original occupation and education; for example, if you were an architect in your own country, you may consider training as a building inspector. Or, if you were a physician, you may be interested in training for a career in occupational health and safety. In some cases, you may only need to complete some retraining or upgrade specific courses rather than complete a different degree or diploma.

By working in a similar field to the one you trained for in your country of origin, you can:

  • Use your knowledge and skills
  • Learn terminology
  • Get valuable Canadian work experience
  • Develop professional networks

You may decide to work in an alternative job while you work toward getting licensed in your former occupation or as a new career choice. If this is your plan, you should read and compare key information about each job, including:

  • On-the-job duties
  • The education and experience employers expect
  • Labour market information
  • Required skills and English/French language abilities

Examples of Alternative Jobs (from www.settlement.org)

 

 

AccountantAccountant<ul><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=6" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Accounting Clerk</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=7" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Bank Clerk</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=8" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Bookkeeper</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=9" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Loan Officer</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=10" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Payroll Clerk</font></span></a></li></ul><p>​</p>
ArchitectArchitect<ul><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=11" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Architectural Technologist and Technician</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=12" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">CAD Technician</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=14" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Construction Estimator</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=13" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Construction Manager</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=17" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Graphic Arts Technician</font></span></a></li></ul><p>​</p>
DentistDentist<p>​</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=34" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Dental Assistant</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=33" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Dental Laboratory Bench Worker</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=35" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Dental Receptionist</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=36" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Technical Sales Specialist</font></span></a></li></ul>
DoctorDoctor<ul><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=37" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Health Educator</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=39" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Health Policy Analyst</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=38" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Medical Laboratory Technician</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=40" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Personal Support Worker</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=41" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Public Health Inspector</font></span></a></li></ul><p>​</p>
EngineerEngineer<p>​</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=18" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Chemical - Chemical Technologist and Technician</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=22" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Civil - Construction Estimator</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=19" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Civil - Construction Project Co-ordinator</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=20" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Civil - Drafting Technician and Technologist</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=21" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Electrical - Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technician and Technologist</font></span></a></li></ul>
LawyerLawyer<ul><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=23" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Foreign Legal Consultant</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=24" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">International Business Consultant</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=25" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Law Clerk</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=26" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Legal Secretary</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=27" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Mediator</font></span></a></li></ul><p>​</p>
NurseNurse<ul><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=42" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Blood Donor Clinic Assistant</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=43" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Early Childhood Educator Assistant</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=44" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Health Educator</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=45" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Nurse Aide</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=46" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Personal Support Worker</font></span></a></li></ul><p>​</p>
PharmacistPharmacist<ul><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=3" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Medical Research Assistant</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=4" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs and Quality Operations Associate</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=1" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Pharmacy Assistant</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=5" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Technical Sales Specialist</font></span></a></li></ul><p>​</p>
Social WorkerSocial Worker<table width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-6" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-6"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-6" style="width:125px;">Social Worker</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-6"><ul><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=47" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Community Worker</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=48" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Early Childhood Educator Assistant</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=49" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Employment Counsellor</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=50" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Program Co-ordinator</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=51" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Settlement Worker</font></span></a></li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table><p>​</p>
TeacherTeacher<p> </p><ul><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=28" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">College Instructor</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=29" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Early Childhood Educator Assistant</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=30" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Employment Counsellor</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=32" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Private Tutor</font></span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.settlement.org/alternativejobs/career.aspx?j=31" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-CA"><font color="#0066cc">Student Advisor</font></span></a></li></ul>