Thousands of newcomers to Canada arrive with high qualifications yet find themselves underemployed at first – the classic story of the engineer driving a taxi or the doctor working as a cashier. But it doesn't end there. With determination and the right support, many immigrants have transformed their situations, moving from survival jobs to professional careers in their fields.
Newcomers often struggle to get jobs commensurate with their skills for reasons discussed earlier – credential recognition issues, lack of "Canadian experience," or employers not understanding foreign resumes. The result is a period of underemployment, where talented individuals take any job just to make ends meet. It's important to realize this phase does not have to be permanent.
A recurring theme in immigrant success stories is the moment they access some form of training or support that propels their career forward. For example, one newcomer with an IT background might start in a low-paying job, but then enroll in a short coding bootcamp or certification course to update their skills for the Canadian market.
Success often comes with not just individual effort but also community and mentorship. Many immigrants who successfully transition credit programs like mentorship schemes, bridging programs, or government-funded workshops.
Sometimes, the breakthrough comes via a progressive employer or an internship opportunity. Internships designed for newcomers can give that much-needed Canadian experience. Employers who take chances on newcomers often end up with loyal, high-performing staff.
Organizations like Windmill Microlending have facilitated many such turning points by offering loans for immigrants to obtain Canadian credentials. The impact is dramatic – on average, clients who took these steps saw their income jump more than 3.6 times higher after retraining and credentialing. Their unemployment rate dropped from 42% to 8%.
An immigrant engineer from the Middle East initially worked as a draftsman. After completing a professional engineering bridging program and passing the required exams, he now works as a licensed P.Eng, earning a salary that matches his qualifications.
A nurse from the Philippines used a microloan to fund her NCLEX-RN exam preparation and Canadian nursing certification. She now works as a registered nurse in a Toronto hospital, with a significant increase in both salary and job satisfaction.
A software developer from India started in retail but enrolled in a Canadian coding certification program. With employer support through the Canada Job Grant, he completed the training and secured a developer position, tripling his income.
Access to financing is often the key that unlocks these success stories. Without loans for credential assessments, exam fees, and training programs, many talented immigrants would remain stuck in underemployment.
At PathFund, we help newcomers break this cycle. Our career development loans specifically target the financing gaps that prevent skilled immigrants from reaching their potential. We've seen countless success stories where a timely loan for licensing exams or training programs becomes the catalyst for career transformation.
If you're currently underemployed despite your qualifications, know that you're not alone – and that change is possible. With Canada's supportive ecosystem of training programs, mentorship opportunities, and financing options like those from PathFund, you can transform your career situation.
The journey from underemployment to professional success is challenging but achievable. Thousands of newcomers have walked this path before you, and with the right approach, you can too.