1 reply to this topic

[Kakashi-01]

I recently completed my Masters in Chemical Engineering at the university of Alberta. Since the start of my program I have been applying for internships and before graduation I started applying for for full-time jobs as well. So far I have applied to around 220 jobs but I haven't received a single response, despite meeting the requirements listed.

 

I have close to a year of work-experience from internships and from working as a process engineer in the glass industry in my home country. I also hold a driving license. I have applied for a Post‑Graduation Work Permit and currently have a work authorization that allows me to work until January while the decision is pending.

 

I noticed that the demand for technician/operator roles in Canada is significantly higher than for engineering roles that match my background. This has made me consider applying for programs in a trade school but I am not sure if thats a wise move.

 

I do enjoy research but I’m hesitant to commit to a PhD right now because of the low stipends and the concern of pigeonholing myself. I might revisit the idea of a PhD once I’ve landed a job and have a clearer idea of my direction.

 

Would that hurt my career prospects in Engineering roles later on? Your advice is greatly appreciated.

 

 

[Pilesar]

I have sympathy for your situation. You need help. Does the university have a placement office or guidance council? I would start there. Find out why you are getting no interest from employers. Possible issues I am guessing at: 1) your legal status means more trouble for the hiring company, 2) your initial contact method to the employer is inadequate, 3) your followup to your initial contact method is inadequate. If the university will not help you, then seek help from your chemical engineering society. Do you know anyone from your country who has been in similar situation and succeeded? Find these people and get help from them! You have a very short time to find resolution. If you want to stay in Canada then you likely will need to continue schooling or get employment of some kind. If you take alternative career path, your chemical engineering career prospects will likely diminish, but you should have a grace period of one year or more with a future engineering company by explaining your difficulty finding engineering work. After too long, the prospective employer will reason that you must not be an attractive candidate because all the other prospective employers decided not to take a chance on you. Get help! Continuing the same failing strategy you have been doing is not likely to get any better results in the future.