Today I heard on the news that there are so many jobs available in Calgary and not enough people. In fact, employers are giving people incentives such as cash and vacation packages to work for them. They are encouraging people to move to Calgary. Is this really correct? I am wondering if anyone knows what the Engineering market in Calgary is like? For new grads?
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Thank you! You are very encouraging. :)
fluor just recently had a career fair in toronto for many engineering positions (for relcocation to calgary - all expenses paid!). i'm not sure what type of engineer you are princess, but their ad said that they were accepting resumes in case you missed the fair as well. i've heard gemini is a good company for new grads as well.
i would try applying to mid size and small companies. the large ones normally recruit straight from the universities if you are a new grad - my dh is involved in this process with his company, a large o&g firm.
i find that the headhunters are reluctant to deal with you if you are from out of town (unless it's for an executive role), so contacting the companies directly might be your best bet.
good luck!
[QUOTE=homebody]If you don't mind some advice, one way to build up the credentials that employers are always asking for, is to do some volunteer stuff in your field. QUOTE]
I do have a lot of volunteer work but I don't think it is enough. I also never thought of getting a letter so thank you for that recommendation.
I find there was a conflict of interest when I would apply to volunter at more than one place. I volunteered with corrections (CSC) where federal offenders would report to their parole officers. Well I also tried to apply at some private societies so I could have a variety of experience but they wouldn't take me because they feared I would see one of their clients perhaps breaking the rules of their parole and run back to CSC and "tell on them"
I could see where they were coming from but it was still disappointing because I wanted to get all the experience I could yet didn't want to give up the volunteer position with CSC as it is where I eventually wanted to work. Confidentiality agreements are for a reason...
Kind of frustrating.
On the upside, this thread has inspired me to get back out there and do more volunteer work so thanks!
Thank you! I would really appreciate it.
We seem to hire alot of co-op students.. So if you want to just get your foot in the door but not make alot of money for the first year you can work here.
Honey... Honestly, it is who you know is how you get a job here in Calgary.. But you kind of know me! Let me see put my feelers out for you..
I noticed you mentioned ads wanting 3 - 5 yrs expereince holding you back. That is exactly the type of thing you need to ignore when applying for work. Only some jobs truly require actual job experience (generally employers like to instill their own habits and techniques anyway), In reality they often request experience because they don't want to be swamped with 3000 resumes from all the grads coming out. So it's strictly a way to manage the number of applicants they have to go through.
the rest are really saying they don't want someone fresh out of school who thinks they are a hot shot (rookie attitude) who has never worked in their lives. 99.9% of employers will hire a good attitude over experience (and a less than stellar attitude) as long as you have the basic educational requirements they need (and sometimes they will even wave those). Some fresh grads have a real attitude problem until they get a taste of reality.
The issue with many fresh grads is they have never held any full time job so are way too green when it comes to knowing basics like who's the boss, why it's important to be on time, how long breaks are, and most of all that those who have been around a while probably know way more and had better be listened to. basically they haven't got the basic "any job" work skills and lack some often needed humility so they are hard to deal with until they have been around a while. Employers often have to take enough time to train someone so they don't like worrying about the basics of just being a good employee.
So, don't let things like that discourage you. You have some work experience and as long as it doesn't say 'directly related doing....." it's probably just one of the HR phrases normally put in their ads. You can get around scanning programs etc. by mentioning you have 4 years work experience doing...be it paid work or volunteer (and BTW there probably are volunteer opportunities but you might have to tie in with groups who are working in third world countries building wells and such). If you have been working as a coordinator in the industry, that is related experience so don't sell yourself short or exclude yourself without truly knowing what they want.
All it costs you to apply for those positions is some time to put together a package and get it to them. Yup, you may get screened out, but you just never know, all it takes is one to pay off.
LOL...I don't get offended so easily, so no worries.
I imagine engineering is quite difficult to crack, paid or not paid. Hope I didn't offend you, just having diarrhea of the mouth (uh-oh that makes me think of that darned restaurant again) :eek:
I have done a lot of volunteer work, but not in the engineering field. It is extremely hard to find even volunteer oportunities.
If you don't mind some advice, one way to build up the credentials that employers are always asking for, is to do some volunteer stuff in your field. For example, in the Criminology field, you might be able to volunteer with a young offenders halfway house or something of the sort. Make sure you get a letter thanking you from the supervisor (they will understand completely why that is important). If you can amass a little portfolio, it shows commitment and understanding of the many applications within your field, and an employer will be very impressed. I truly believe that to succeed in the job market today, you have to think outside the box and almost design your own opportunity. Hope everything works out for you both...
My DIL also majored in Criminology and she lives out West and can't find work inthat field. She did work for a while as a Probation Officer but it was just a Mat. Leave Temp job and hasn't had any luck finding anything in that field. She is very dissappointed and would love to get a job in it. She lives in Sask.
I'm working ;) I do the night shift. Trust me, I would rather be sleeping :)
Tell me about it! Hey...isn't it about 4:30am in Halifax? You can't sleep either?
They couldn't take it ;)
Why can't men be the ones to have the babies...lol.
That is great you have had a job in your field. I guess medical school would take a lot of time and energy. I definitely don't have that for school right now. A family has been on the list as well so I can understand where you are coming from.
Graduated in 2003...Have kept myself updated though. I've had a job in my field and I did everything the engineers did, but I was a co-ordinator and I need to have 4 years experience as an engineer in order to get a P.Eng (higher qualification...more money :)) I do feel it's too late to go back to medical school though...I feel like I'm getting real old...lol...and starting a family soon is pretty high on the priority list.
I wish I had gone to law school or even taken social work instead. I don't think it is ever too late though. Just need to get back in the study mood ;) I am sure you will get something soon. With that type of degree you were actually taught something, instead of just a lot of theory. So I think you won't have a problem, just have to wait for the right job to come your way. Maybe a headhunter could help? How long have you been done school?
Thanks Shopaholic. I wish I had gone to medical school instead...seems too late to do that now.
I know, too bad it wouldn't be like the movies where you would be gutsy enough to go tell someone you are perfect for a job, they see the potential in you and give you a chance, haha.
Thanks and good luck to you as well :)
Everyone seems to want 3-5 years of experience...how do they expect that when noone is willing to give a job to a new grad! You seem to be in a very interesting field of work...Good luck!
Well I majored in criminology and I would like to work in parole. I have a minor in psych and sociology and have an interest in addictions work as well. There are many fields in social service that I would prefer to work in but I do not have 3-5 years experience which it seems everyone wants. I do have some volunteer work under my belt but admit I have been lagging in the area in the last year or so just from frustration alone. Also, I make more at my job now so I would have to be prepared financially not to mention mentally to take a drop in pay when I do finally get my "dream job" :)
Thanks! What is your field of work if you don't mind me asking?
I completely understand wanting to get your foot in the door. I graduated in 2003 and do not have a job in my field. Luckily I have a job where I make decent money but I don't love it. There are no jobs in the maritimes. It sucks. If we weren't so settled with the house etc, I would definitely move out west or even to the states (where jobs in my field are quite numerous)
I will definitely keep my eye out. Good luck.
That certainly is in my line of work; however, I don't have that kind of experience just yet (I can't wait to be making that kind of money...lol). Maybe in a few years...lol. I just need to get my foot in the door first. Please let me know if you run across something else. Thanks again.
I'm not sure if this is in your line of work but I saw the word "engineering" while perusing the want ads and thought of this thread.
[url]http://www.jobspress.com/cgi-bin/jobs/showad?111123167+111+10[/url]
I would love to move to the west coast for many reasons, but mainly for the job opportunities I keep hearing about. What are the best employment agencies or even companies for Engineering jobs there? I can't seem to get a reply for anywhere and I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.
I don't know about engineering but I know my friend just graduated with her degree in education and got her first job making over 50,000 per year. To me, for a teacher (who usually say they aren't paid well) that is a good starting salary.
It's the same in Edmonton. Advertising for jobs on the street etc. Restaurant parking lots are full any night of the week. My girlfriend works for an Engineering Co. downtown. She says the co. is so busy that they could all work 8 days a week there's so much work. Plus lots of infrastructure building going on here right now. Jeep is right too. Lot's happening north in Grand Prairie etc. Housing prices are more reasonable here than in Calgary and will probably remain that way.
I noticed when I was there last weekend that everywhere you looked there was signs Help Wanted. If I was looking at moving to Alberta for work I would look outside of Calgary and go up North, Grand Prairie is growing unbelieveable and becoming a very nice city. There is so much work in Northern BC and AB that is where one should be looking. Dawson Creek BC is becoming so busy but still small and some big Oil and Gas companines are moving there offices there. You can still buy a house for under $200,000.00 property is about $45000.00 for a lot.