This first-person article is Erlinda Tan of Filipino immigrants,, who believe that hard work is a prerequisite. Experience. Good middle class life in Canada For more information on the CBC first person story,Please refer to. 19} Frequently Asked Questions
2014 will be a memorable one It was a day when I bought a villa in my hometown in the Philippines. It's like a dream come true that I can visit my family every other year and get everyone together in the house.
I didn't expect this property to be a souvenir since the days of Alberta. Two years later, the oil and gas industry turned worse — and so I took on my job.
But that's part of what I call a "beautiful journey of ebb and flow" in the 13 years since I arrived from the Philippines. These ups and downs made me a strong Canadian and solidified my love for this country.
Working hard to step into the door
Alberta's economy was born from the severe financial crisis in late 2009 Crisis that came to Edmonton was felt worldwide. They say timing is everything. This also applies to me.
My first job was as a minimum wage clerk. To get over it, I did my second job as a supermarket cashier — 3 days a week, 4 hours on a shift.
It was hard to do two jobs and it was really long for a few days but I needed some extra income. In addition, working in the service industry gave me the confidence to blend in with 's new home and talk to Canadians in all disciplines. This is a skill you will need later on your professional journey.
After doing two jobs for 20 months, I experienced the so-called "Canadian experience", so a resume is very necessary and the company I felt ready for the world. I have an engineering background and was hired as a document controller in the oil and gas industry in 2012.
At that time, the price of oil was, reaching $ 100 per barrel, and there were many opportunities. I have worked three times in three years. I was part of the rise of Alberta's economy.
Become a Canadian
I was excited about my promising career, but even more excited when I became a Canadian citizen in early 2015.
At the oath ceremony, I became the first citizen to singO Canadaemotionally. I felt like I belonged and felt safe. The definition of my home changed at that moment — the Philippines was “home”, but Canada is my current one.
And suddenly I felt a solemn duty to be a good Canadian.
During the federal elections in October, I followed the campaign on TV like a soap opera. Voting was empowering when the citizenship ritual was touching. That day, I realized how important I was in building a country.
Blind Faith
But as the saying goes, every stream must have a decline.
In 2015, the oil downturn spilled over into the global crisis. The energy company has fired thousands of employees; I was one of them.
Alberta's Career Website was empty. I didn't want to move, but I had to survive.
Her friends and relatives have sent invitations to work in the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore and Dubai. It was very attractive. But I just became a Canadian citizen. I spent time and effort. I spent a lot of time as a cashier listening to the news on TV every night and understanding politics. I should leave it all in the past.
I said I'm a Filipino Canadian. I have a gene for resilience. I make this strict.
Due to a blind movement of faith, I decided to move to Vancouver in May 2016. I had no employment relationship and had no family in the city. It became my support system.
I thanked the unemployment insurance that I lived for several months and took pride in receiving the insurance. I donated a premium, but I knew I was eligible to receive it.
Finding a new job in Vancouver has never been so easy. British Columbia is rich in forestry and did not require my work experience in the oil industry. I decided to accept any job, even if I had to start from the bottom.
I did a contract job with low wages, which took me to the door of a royal company. Five months after work, I was hired by the company when my savings from Alberta were almost gone. From time to time, God's perfect timing awes you.
I worked as a records manager for a $ 1 billion project. Then I moved on to a $ 10 billion project. When I retired, I'm proud to have participated in two major infrastructure projects in British Columbia.
Silver lining
In retrospect, I think the dismissal in Alberta was advantageous. It forced me to leave my comfort zone. I looked more at Canada, made new friends and extended my career. My horizon has grown. Edmonton, thank you for preparing me.
I'm joking that it's the definition of a middle class Canadian in the Philippines. Money is poor, but benefits are plentiful. I couldn't thank you any more.
Sometimes I ask myself, do I regret staying in Canada when I hit the bottom of the rock? Do you regret not working in another country? The answer is no. I believe that if God closes the door, he will open the window somewhere. But it's up to me to find it.
When it comes to doors and windows, my home in the Philippines is no longer just a villa. Located in the heart of the commercial district, within walking distance to malls and supermarkets, the concrete house is a shelter for families from typhoons that regularly visit the Philippines.
I'm even more proud that my mother has become her hometown.
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