Ella’s First Job in Canada

It didn’t take long for Ella Oteze to gain employment after landing in Regina. Ella is an industrious and outgoing career Mathematician from Nigeria with over ten years of experience in the finance and banking field.

This experience, paired with new skills developed with SOPA’s pre-arrival courses, provided her the confidence that led to her new career at CIBC as a Financial Services Representative. She describes the Job Search Strategies course as “…all-encompassing and a greatly recommended course for all immigrants,” as it gave her knowledge on how to integrate into the Canadian workplace.

While still in Nigeria, Ella was referred to a number of post-arrival services to help her smoothly transition from pre- to post-arrival. After landing in Regina, in order to build on the momentum from the SOPA Program, Ella went on to use the services she was referred to at Regina Open Door Society. Her Employment Counsellor there gave Ella valuable insight into the banking industry in Canada which differs greatly from Nigeria. They worked together on her cover letters, and, after her job offer, she praised the counsellor of truly going “above and beyond” to assist in the career transition.

Some final thoughts from Ella on her experience in the SOPA program: “I have discovered new ways to search for a job. I have learned how to target my resume and cover letter. Before the SOPA’s Job Search Strategies course, it was copy and paste to apply for every job opening, but now I know better. It has raised my confidence level and I now believe in myself more than ever before and have the CAN DO spirit.”

She says her ability to make people laugh and intelligence in mathematics is a surprising combination, however we think it’s a great formula for success in Canada!

– Lisa Williams

Job Search Strategies Facilitator, SOPA Saskatchewan