The Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO) is part of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. It provides information, path-finding and referral services in foreign credential recognition to help foreign-trained workers succeed and put their skills to work in Canada more quickly. Visit www.credentials.gc.ca
A great way to gain experience and learn more about how to build a career and develop a “life plan” is to work with a mentor. A mentor is an individual who volunteers his or her time to work with another individual and provide advice and guidance. Mentors have usually been successful in their own careers and want to help others achieve success.There are web sites that provide information on mentoring and contacts with mentoring organizations. Learn more
The province of Alberta has developed a website to help people assess their career interests, research career options, make career decisions, and develop a career plan.You can check out “CAREERinsite” at http://alis.alberta.ca/ec/cp/cpt/CAREERinsite.html
Volunteering—providing your time and services without payment—is an excellent way to learn more about a career that interests you. It is a good way to get experience and to create a network of contacts. There are many opportunities for volunteering in communities across Canada.There are also organizations that can assist you if you are interested in volunteering. See page 220 for a list of some of these organizations, and visit the DayPlanner web site – Link #29 to contact more.
One of the biggest questions in planning a career is deciding where to start. See page 215 for a few suggestions about getting started, or visit DayPlanner web site – Link #14 for more information. Keep in mind that “doing what you love to do” and having a “passion” for your work and career can be very important to your happiness and success.The University of Waterloo has a resource to help with career decision making.You can check it out at www.careerservices.uwaterloo.ca/resources/ CareerDecisionMaking.pdf
Many of Canada’s colleges and universities have career centres on their campuses. If you are looking for assistance in exploring or pursuing a career, visit a local college or university and ask if you can use the services of the career centre. Most will be pleased to try to help you with career information.