Samir’s journey from a successful career in India to the pursuit of greater opportunities in Canada, is a testament to the relentless dedication to his goals and strategic allocation of his available resources.
Meet Samir
Arrived in Canada in 2019
Business Affairs Manager earning $85,000
Lives with his wife
Monthly rent of $2,800
Monthly expenses of $4,000
Amidst the myriad of Canadian immigration narratives, Samir's story stands out as a testament to effective money and time management as well as an unwavering commitment to keep moving forward. Samir completed his Master's in advertising in 2013 and embarked on a career in the vibrant realm of entertainment. His professional journey began at Reliance Entertainment and he steadily climbed the ranks to Producer. Despite leading a well-settled life in India, his ambitious drive led him to explore the possibilities of immigration to Canada. In 2018, he applied for Canadian permanent residency and started preparing to enter the Canadian job market.
During the permanent residency application process, Samir strategically invested time in networking with professionals in Canada. He subscribed to LinkedIn Premium and spent an average of 2-3 hours per day to meticulously research organizations, reach out to individuals working in production houses, and engage in informational discussions. He built the foundation for a seamless transition into the Canadian job market. His proactive approach bore fruit when a connection from his past at a London-based production house provided valuable insights into launching his career in Canada.
In August 2019, Samir obtained his permanent residency beginning his Canadian chapter. Accompanied by his friend Kabir, Samir entered the challenging Canadian job market . To manage expenses from their savings, they chose a cost-effective rental basement apartment, with a rent of $1200. Samir's share of rent was $600. The duo spent hours in coffee shops, diligently applying for jobs, making connections, and engaging with potential employers. However, the job search proved challenging.
While Kabir was able to secure a position in Montreal after 15 days, Samir was having greater difficulty and his savings were dwindling. Given this, he decided to take on a minimum-wage retail job at Best Buy in October 2019. He aimed to take maximum shifts of work to cover his household expenses. Amid 5-6 hours of daily work, 3 hours of everyday travelling and additional household chores, it became difficult for him to dedicate time to pursuing opportunities in his field.
Through this challenging process, Samir learned the importance of resilience and adaptability. He discovered that setbacks could be opportunities in disguise, and by staying focused on his goals, he could overcome obstacles. As time went on, he became more effective by refining his time management skills. He began reaching out to production houses, juggling work, and job hunting with determination . He explored online job opportunities and attended networking events to broaden his professional connections. This multi-faceted approach started showing results as some producers expressed interest and invited him for meetings in the coming months. As fate would have it, the pandemic struck, closing doors for Samir just as opportunities seemed within reach.
Having no income, he began living at a friend’s house. Despite facing setbacks, Samir never gave up. In April 2020, he pivoted to a warehouse job at Amazon as it paid more than his retail job. He decided to stay with that friend and began paying him $700 per month as rent. The job became his lifeline, providing stability and a platform to continue his job hunt in the competitive Canadian market. Juggling night shifts, household chores, and the constant pressure of managing expenses while earning $17-18 per hour, he persevered through physical exhaustion and financial tension.
For a year, Samir balanced his warehouse job with relentless applications to nearly 50 positions daily in his field. In January 2021, his perseverance paid off with a callback for an interview. “After screening, they told me that there were no immediate openings for me, but asked to follow-up. I used to send a reminder e-mail to HR every 2 weeks, hoping to get a call again,” he shares.
Samir’s consistent follow-ups eventually paid off when he secured a position as a Rights Management Coordinator with an annual salary of $50,000. This marked a significant improvement and allowed him to transition from the warehouse job to a role more closely aligned with his career aspirations. With a renewed sense of purpose, he bid farewell to his warehouse job and embraced the new chapter in his career.
Soon, Kabir also got a job in Toronto and moved back. With a newfound job and financial stability, Samir, along with his friend, rented an apartment in downtown Toronto in August 2021 with a rent of $2300. Personal milestones soon followed. Samir married his long-time girlfriend in India in December 2022 and initiated the process to bring her to Canada.. As he navigated the complexities of immigration to bring his wife to Canada, Samir continued to seek growth in his professional journey. Alongside the challenges of the immigration process, he also faced additional costs, including PR processing fees, underscoring the financial commitment and dedication required to reunite with his spouse.
In March 2023, driven by the need for financial and career advancement, Samir pursued opportunities a large, reputable firm. Even though he faced an initial setback when he was turned down, his determination and abilities were proven when he later received an offer to work as a Business Affairs Manager with an annual salary of $85,000. By May 2023, Samir had achieved remarkable professional growth and stability.
On July 1, 2023, a symbolic day for Canadians, Samir attained his Canadian citizenship. His journey from a Best Buy retail job to a thriving career in the Canadian media industry showcases the tenacity of an individual determined to turn challenges into stepping stones for success. Samir's story is a beacon of inspiration for those navigating the complex path of immigration, job hunting, and settling in a new land.