Is Canada a good place to live for a recently graduated software developer?

[Bengt4]

In 2 or 3 years I'm going to graduate in Computer Cience in a good collage here in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Since Brazil sucks for software developers, and I have family in Canada (Toronto), I was planning moving to Canada as soon as possible after I graduate. Not that I'll move to Canada and live there for the rest of my days, but at least as an experince to me.

My questions are:
- It tends to be a GOOD experience?
- How is the job offerings to recently graduate C++/Delphi developers in Canada (Toronto and nearby areas)?
- The fact that I am Brazilian is going to be a problem for me in any way?

I wanna know if I am doing a good move, or should I stay in Brazil and do US$300 a month developing systems to small companies?

To get the picture, most people here in Brazil make less then US$70 a month. And is getting worse everyday.

 

[shiner]

One very important question.

How much do you like beer and hockey?

 

[Bengt4]

I don't like beer, and I don't know anything about hockey!

But Brazil is all about soccer and beer too. Whatever. I prefer a fine wine, skateboarding and nice woman. =]

 

[Martin]

2, 3 years is a long time, but to answer some of your questions:


1. Yes, its a good expericne. I think living in a different country is always a good experience, gives you a nice, broad perspective on many things...

2. Right now, I'd imagine its tough (its probably tough everywhere). Here are some job sites you can check to get a feel: Workopolis Monster.ca JobShark

3. Not really. We have some very strict anti-discrimination/ anti-racism laws, however the fact that you won't have any "canadian experience" might make things harder. Doctors/teachers and other professionals generally struggle because their credentials aren't automatically valid here, but I am not sure if this would apply to software developers (my guess is that it won't).

Hope that helped.

 

[Martin]

Originally posted by: Bengt4
I don't like beer, and I don't know anything about hockey!

But Brazil is all about soccer and beer too. Whatever. I prefer a fine wine, skateboarding and nice woman. =]

You will find that there is very little soccer here

 

[notfred]

Wasn't there a thread a few days ago with an article sayign that Canada was the country most friendly to immigrants and foriegners as far as getting jobs and housing and stuff?

I think it said Australia was second best.

 

[SSP]

You will make more money here, but the living expenses are pretty high as well. I think you might do well here if you know your stuff in programming. But then again, programmers as dime a dozen these days.

 

[Inept]

1. It's a decent country. Taxes are very high and the cost of living, particularly around any major city, is very expensive. Other than that I think you'll find that Canadians are in general very nice and thoughtful people. Canada will be very different from Brazil, this I guarantee you.

2. Very poor right now. Canada's pretty poorly developed when it comes to anything other than resource industries. I'm having a hell of a time finding work in Vancouver now (as a Computer Engineer). Things are picking up though, and should continue to for the next few years.

3. Yes, it will be a problem. Your education will need to be verified and your references will be difficult to check. If you have any Canadian friends in the industry it will help, otherwise it could take you a long time to get work in your field.

 

[Bengt4]

thanks for all replies. You guys are amazing. I have family in Toronto, and I *think* my ant is in a very good position on her company (electronics). Maybe this helps. But I NEED more replies!!

 

[Bengt4]

Originally posted by: MartyTheManiak

Originally posted by: Bengt4
I don't like beer, and I don't know anything about hockey!

But Brazil is all about soccer and beer too. Whatever. I prefer a fine wine, skateboarding and nice woman. =]

You will find that there is very little soccer here

I don't care about soccer. What about nice woman? =]

 

[Iron Woode]

Don't worry. Canada is a fine country to live in.

Toronto is probably the most ethnically diverse city in Canada.

Besides, my cousin is from Brazil, last name Caetano. He likes it here, except for the winter. He lives here in London Ontario.

 

[FrozenYak]

I cant comment on the rest of the country, but I can say Computer Science jobs in Saskatchewan are an extremely hard job to get right now - and any sort of experience seems to be what serperates the ppl who get a job from those who dont. Also I dont believe you should have any problem with being a 'minority', particularly in places like Vancouver and Toronto where huge amounts of immigrants live. In fact, many buisness's are required to hire any 'minority' workers in a certain area. My mother teaches adult First Nations who dropped out of high school, and its not uncommon to hear them getting offered gov't jobs (despite the limited education most of them have) because the gov't is required to reserve so many positions for them.

 

[Haircut]

Originally posted by: MartyTheManiak

Originally posted by: Bengt4
I don't like beer, and I don't know anything about hockey!

But Brazil is all about soccer and beer too. Whatever. I prefer a fine wine, skateboarding and nice woman. =]

You will find that there is very little soccer here

Unless you move in with joohang

 

[StageLeft]

No, for if it was I wouldn't have moved to Alabama a year and a half ago.

Hey, with average salaries that low in Brazil how in hell do you afford your computer? That's like enough to let somebody live for 6 months!

 

[Bengt4]

WOW, it's really that bad? Humm I'll have the re-think about Canada, I guess...

- My computer? I used to work building computer systems for and great vendor here in Rio de Janeiro, and since they usually didn't have good money for me, they payed me with hardware... really! =]

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Bengt4
WOW, it's really that bad? Humm I'll have the re-think about Canada, I guess...

- My computer? I used to work building computer systems for and great vendor here in Rio de Janeiro, and since they usually didn't have good money for me, they payed me with hardware... really! =]

Truly nobody can say in 2-3 years how the market will be. It may be great, it may be sh*t. We just don't know yet!