Ohiozoje Okugbe migrated with her husband to Canada from Nigeria in November 2024. Her experience working with US-based companies as a content marketer gave her a head start in the Canadian job market. Despite this advantage, there were still challenges. She tells us how finding industry-specific communities has helped her navigate the challenges of the Canadian job market. She also talks about the importance of networking and how it pays off in the long run. Ohiozoje tells her full story here:
Arriving in Canada felt like a mini homecoming, thanks to a pre-existing community of friends. The weather was a shock, but we adapted. The job market, on the other hand, has been a different kind of adventure, but I’ve leaned heavily on my experience working with US companies as a content marketer. Thankfully, the US and Canadian job markets aren’t vastly different, which makes the transition smoother.
Over time, I’ve discovered that the Canadian business landscape is full of resources for helping immigrants build their careers and transition to new jobs. I’ve also found that the Canadian government provides support and opportunities for immigrants to transition smoothly. But here’s the thing, it’s not a one-size-fits-all. What works for a brand marketing manager may not serve an engineer.
One of the smartest things I did was to seek out industry-specific communities (like Growclass for marketing professionals) — groups of people in your industry who have been in Canada for an appreciable period and walked the same path. Learning from different experiences and perspectives helped — and is still helping — me navigate this phase with more confidence than I would have. If you’re a new immigrant, I can’t recommend this enough. Finding your people in your specific field should be the first step in your job search.
Looking back, I wish I’d built my network sooner and more intentionally. Also, I should’ve found a community to be a part of earlier than I did. A network can make all the difference in a saturated job market, and there’s nothing that beats having an insider who mentions your name and credentials in places that matter.
Many immigrants struggle in their careers because they focus on job hunting and neglect to intentionally build relationships. And I get it — integrating into a new environment can be difficult! Despite this, immigrants must develop strategies to network and meet with people not just for job or business opportunities, but for long-term growth.
Also, remember that these should be connections for a lifetime, so it’s important to make a conscious effort to grow and nurture them. Be a giver. Add value when you can. Having a selfish mindset is a turn-off, and people can sense it a mile away, so approach every connection with a mindset to enrich, and you’ll end up with strong relationships.
As women of colour, we face several biases that won’t all disappear anytime soon. This is because most of them are unconscious biases. So, the best way to navigate this is to have a response to these biases. The first and most powerful response is the value you bring to the table. This is important because the value you add to any organization or society will trump any biases.
Second is your unique perspective, shaped by your experiences. Let’s celebrate our unique experiences as women of colour as strengths and not see them as weaknesses. While they may set us apart, organizations that value diversity will recognize and appreciate the rich perspectives we contribute, which our experiences have helped to shape.
On a parting note, communities are powerful; when you find your tribe, you’ll be amazed at the resources and information a group can pool to achieve more. So, let’s learn to harness the power of community to be more and do more.
Ohiozoje Okugbe tells her story from Edmonton in Alberta, Canada.
