As a student or recent graduate, you’ve been getting mixed messages: last year you probably read that well-paying, entry-level jobs for graduates are hard to come by; now you’re reading that there’s a labour shortage and companies are struggling to fill positions. What the heck gives?
It turns out that Canada is actually experiencing what many economists describe as a skills mismatch—a discrepancy between what employers want and what job seekers can provide. The issue, however, is more nuanced. One key element of this growing gap relates specifically to geography; there are many well-paying jobs, but they are increasingly located in remote areas, such as Western Canadian oil sands and rural hospitals. With the growing availability of these positions, new graduates may want to consider a move to start their careers as they realize their pool of opportunities expands along with their geographic boundaries. This prompts the question: what are the key factors to consider when pondering a big move for your career?
Financial matters
Money: it’s an issue we can’t avoid, so we might as well address it head on. With average student debt hovering around $20,000, it’s no surprise that financial matters are paramount in graduates’ early career considerations. You might be a budding technical worker considering a job opportunity in an area of the country where entry-level wages are significantly higher than the national average; or maybe you’re a prospective health care worker who will have your debt forgiven if you accept a job in a remote area. Those are both valid reasons to move, so long as you have thought about how increased income may be negated by increased expenses.
Before you make a decision based on possible salary increases or other financial benefits, you need to answer some questions:
What is the cost of living in this new place?
Are housing costs reasonable?
What will you need to pay for in terms of gas, utilities and other household bills?
Is the cost of gas higher or lower in this part of the country (if you have a car)?
What will your start-up costs be? As in, will you have to purchase home furnishings, a public transportation pass, new cell phone or, if not provided by your employer, health or medical insurance?
These are all questions you must know the answer to before you can effectively weigh the financial pros and cons of moving for a job. Ultimately, the projected pay benefits must at least match your (potentially higher) living costs for the move to make sense.
Community and social life
Now let’s say that the arithmetic does makes sense. Remind yourself that although you may be moving for a job, wherever you are, you’re hopefully going to be doing more than just work. And that’s where the topic of community and social life comes in. What will you be doing once you clock out every day?
More specifically, you need to reflect on whether there’s anything to do—anything you like to do—in this new place besides work. If you’re a community-minded volunteer and there are no local community groups or non-profits for you to put your energy and support behind, you won’t be satisfied. Likewise, if you’re someone who is typically immersed in the nightlife or culture of your city, and the place you’re considering has a very limited cultural or social scene, you may find yourself very disappointed, unfulfilled or even lonely. Try to imagine where you might find yourself outside working hours—if this is difficult, it’s a sign that something might be missing from the overall picture.
Future professional growth
Once you have taken the financial and personal aspects into account, it’s important to look to the future. It is crucial to consider where this job will lead you in the next three to five and even 10 years. Reflect on where you want to be—in terms of salary, organizational status and/or responsibilities—and ask yourself if you can get there at this company, in this industry, in this specific location. The opportunity may be an optimal choice right now, but it may not be of ultimate long-term value to your career.
As with all previously mentioned considerations, there are many questions to be answered:
If you see yourself staying at this company, is there room for growth?
Will you get additional skills training?
How will your income change over time?
If you are using the remote location job to gain experience and then return back to a major city, is a seamless transition really feasible?
Will the skills you learn be comparable to the ones that people are learning and using in major cities? How can you remain competitive in the overall job market?
The future is never fixed, and your five-year plan can undoubtedly change. These are details directly related to your job that you need to consider before you sign a contract.
Alternative industries
In the end, you can research the opportunity as much as possible, you can create lengthy lists of pros and cons, but you cannot avoid curveballs. You could end up in a remote location and realize that the career, location or both are just not for you. Given the fact that the Millennial generation will average a higher number of jobs (by choice) than earlier generations, it isn’t unrealistic to picture yourself switching careers multiple times in your working lifetime.
So let’s say it doesn’t work out; you hate what you’ve gotten yourself into. But you’re locked into a lease, and you’ve invested a lot in your home, community and social network. However, you want out of your industry entirely. Will there be other types of jobs for you? What is the local industry like outside your field? Will you be able to find work in other areas, or will a change in passion and career require another big move? Essentially, you need to gauge your alternative options, so that if current prospects don’t work out, you have a Plan B that doesn’t require another immediate life-changing move.
Whether or not to move for a job is a decision that students and young professionals shouldn’t take lightly. There are countless points to contemplate related to finances and cultural fit, future growth and alternative employment options. Additionally, there’s the simple matter of weighing a fresh start against losing touch with friends and family. Ultimately, before you make any decisions, you must have a clear sense of what you are leaving behind and what you are leaving for, and you must be comfortable with those facts, however indefinite they may be.for more info, check out avant career
It turns out that Canada is actually experiencing what many economists describe as a skills mismatch—a discrepancy between what employers want and what job seekers can provide. The issue, however, is more nuanced. One key element of this growing gap relates specifically to geography; there are many well-paying jobs, but they are increasingly located in remote areas, such as Western Canadian oil sands and rural hospitals. With the growing availability of these positions, new graduates may want to consider a move to start their careers as they realize their pool of opportunities expands along with their geographic boundaries. This prompts the question: what are the key factors to consider when pondering a big move for your career?
Financial matters
Money: it’s an issue we can’t avoid, so we might as well address it head on. With average student debt hovering around $20,000, it’s no surprise that financial matters are paramount in graduates’ early career considerations. You might be a budding technical worker considering a job opportunity in an area of the country where entry-level wages are significantly higher than the national average; or maybe you’re a prospective health care worker who will have your debt forgiven if you accept a job in a remote area. Those are both valid reasons to move, so long as you have thought about how increased income may be negated by increased expenses.
Before you make a decision based on possible salary increases or other financial benefits, you need to answer some questions:
What is the cost of living in this new place?
Are housing costs reasonable?
What will you need to pay for in terms of gas, utilities and other household bills?
Is the cost of gas higher or lower in this part of the country (if you have a car)?
What will your start-up costs be? As in, will you have to purchase home furnishings, a public transportation pass, new cell phone or, if not provided by your employer, health or medical insurance?
These are all questions you must know the answer to before you can effectively weigh the financial pros and cons of moving for a job. Ultimately, the projected pay benefits must at least match your (potentially higher) living costs for the move to make sense.
Community and social life
Now let’s say that the arithmetic does makes sense. Remind yourself that although you may be moving for a job, wherever you are, you’re hopefully going to be doing more than just work. And that’s where the topic of community and social life comes in. What will you be doing once you clock out every day?
More specifically, you need to reflect on whether there’s anything to do—anything you like to do—in this new place besides work. If you’re a community-minded volunteer and there are no local community groups or non-profits for you to put your energy and support behind, you won’t be satisfied. Likewise, if you’re someone who is typically immersed in the nightlife or culture of your city, and the place you’re considering has a very limited cultural or social scene, you may find yourself very disappointed, unfulfilled or even lonely. Try to imagine where you might find yourself outside working hours—if this is difficult, it’s a sign that something might be missing from the overall picture.
Future professional growth
Once you have taken the financial and personal aspects into account, it’s important to look to the future. It is crucial to consider where this job will lead you in the next three to five and even 10 years. Reflect on where you want to be—in terms of salary, organizational status and/or responsibilities—and ask yourself if you can get there at this company, in this industry, in this specific location. The opportunity may be an optimal choice right now, but it may not be of ultimate long-term value to your career.
As with all previously mentioned considerations, there are many questions to be answered:
If you see yourself staying at this company, is there room for growth?
Will you get additional skills training?
How will your income change over time?
If you are using the remote location job to gain experience and then return back to a major city, is a seamless transition really feasible?
Will the skills you learn be comparable to the ones that people are learning and using in major cities? How can you remain competitive in the overall job market?
The future is never fixed, and your five-year plan can undoubtedly change. These are details directly related to your job that you need to consider before you sign a contract.
Alternative industries
In the end, you can research the opportunity as much as possible, you can create lengthy lists of pros and cons, but you cannot avoid curveballs. You could end up in a remote location and realize that the career, location or both are just not for you. Given the fact that the Millennial generation will average a higher number of jobs (by choice) than earlier generations, it isn’t unrealistic to picture yourself switching careers multiple times in your working lifetime.
So let’s say it doesn’t work out; you hate what you’ve gotten yourself into. But you’re locked into a lease, and you’ve invested a lot in your home, community and social network. However, you want out of your industry entirely. Will there be other types of jobs for you? What is the local industry like outside your field? Will you be able to find work in other areas, or will a change in passion and career require another big move? Essentially, you need to gauge your alternative options, so that if current prospects don’t work out, you have a Plan B that doesn’t require another immediate life-changing move.
Whether or not to move for a job is a decision that students and young professionals shouldn’t take lightly. There are countless points to contemplate related to finances and cultural fit, future growth and alternative employment options. Additionally, there’s the simple matter of weighing a fresh start against losing touch with friends and family. Ultimately, before you make any decisions, you must have a clear sense of what you are leaving behind and what you are leaving for, and you must be comfortable with those facts, however indefinite they may be.for more info, check out avant career
