My journey as a journalist from Dubai to Canada

 

My name is Rohan and I have always wanted to be a journalist. This is what I remember saying even the first time when asked about my career choice when I was in school.

I pursued the relevant degree to fulfil my career dreams and soon found myself working in a leading media and television company in Mumbai.

I enjoyed doing my job. I loved the challenges that came with being a news reporter. I worked in this company for five years and was steadily climbing the corporate ladder.

After five years, I thought it was time to look for a change and started searching for a job both in India and abroad. This is when I got a job offer from a media firm in Dubai. The job was exciting and the pay was attractive. I decided to take it up and move to Dubai.

After three years of working in Dubai, I decided to seek an overseas job in a country where I could get permanent residency and Canada was on my mind.

Choosing an immigration consultant

I decided to approach an immigration consultant for this and zeroed in on Y-Axis. I was not only impressed with their experience and reputation but also the good reviews they got from their customers.

I talked to a counsellor at Y-Axis Dubai and described my desire to migrate to Canada, my family background, work experience, my work interests, skills, and certifications, etc.

I discussed about my options in Canada and the immigration options available to me.

Options in Canada

 A journalism career is so competitive, so graduates often pursue careers in adjacent disciplines such as advertising or public relations. Journalists in Canada are better paid than those in the United Kingdom, Europe, and Asia.

Journalists are in high demand across Canada, which is fortunate. It is possible to obtain a permanent residency visa in Canada with or without a job offer.

Journalists who can write on scientific or technical subjects or who have already written about them have an advantage in the job market.

The list of designations that a journalist can apply for in Canada are:

• Book reviewer
• Broadcast journalist
• Columnist
• Correspondent
• Cyberjournalist
• Investigative reporter
• Journalist
• Television news anchorperson
• Announcers and Other Broadcasters
• Authors and Writers
• Editors
• Photojournalists

Do thorough research on the  scope for journalists before you apply. The best job opportunties in Canada are in Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island regions in British Columbia.

I found a job in  British Columbia.

Immigration programs for journalists

Journalists looking to migrate to Canada can do so through the Express Entry program or the Provincial Nominee program.

I chose the Express Entry program on advice from my Y-Axis counsellor because this program is specially curated for professionals immigrating for work. The program is known to be streamlined and transparent. Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Traders Program, and Canadian Experience Class are the programs covered under Express Entry. This program is open throughout the year and there isn’t a cap on number of applicants

Canada immigration programs including the Express Entry program work on a points-based system. An applicant must score a minimum number of points to meet the eligibility criteria. The applicants score points on factors such as age, language, education and work experience.

Here are the points you can earn for meeting the eligibility requirements based on the following criteria:

• Age: You can score the maximum points if you are between 18-35 years. Those above this age will score lesser points.
• Education: Your minimum educational qualification must be equal to the higher secondary education level in Canada.
• Work experience: To score the minimum points you should have at least one year of work experience. More years of work experience will help you gain more points.
• Language ability: You must have at least 6 bands in your IELTS equivalent to CLB 7 to be eligible to apply. Higher scores mean more points.
• Adaptability: You gain ten points on the adaptability factor if your family members or close relatives are living in Canada and will be able to support you when you move in there.
• Arranged employment: A valid job offer from a Canadian employer entitles you for ten points.

Check your eligibility here

The CRS points scale has a maximum score of 1200 on which the candidate and their spouse (if any) are evaluated based on the following factors:

• Human capital factors
• Spouse or common-law partner factors
• Skill transferability
• Additional points

Application process

Step 1: Create your Express Entry profile

As a first step, you will have to create your online Express Entry profile. The profile should include details like age, work experience, education, language skills, etc. Based on these points your profile will be given a score

If you have the required score, you will be eligible for the immigration program.

Step 2: Complete your ECA

You should complete an Educational Credentials Assessment, or ECA, if you received your education outside of Canada. This is to demonstrate that your educational credentials are comparable to those granted by the Canadian educational system.

Step 3: Complete your language ability tests

You should take the English language competency examinations that are required. IELTS requires a minimum score of 8 bands. At the time of application, your test score should be less than two years old.

If you know French, you'll get bonus points. You can take a French language test, such as the Test de assessment de Francians (TEF) to demonstrate your ability in the language.

 Step 4: Calculate your CRS score

The profiles in the Express Entry pool are ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Your profile gets included in the Express Entry pool if you have the required CRS score.

 Step 5: Get your Invitation to Apply (ITA)

If you have the required points, you will get an Invitation to Apply (ITA). The IRCC conducts a CRS draw on a regular basis where it identifies applicants with a high score and sends invitations to apply for permanent residency. You will have to apply within 60 days if you get such an invitation.

Step 6: Submit your application

The next step is to submit your application with all the required documents.  Make sure you provide only genuine documents. You will need to provide your biometrics along with your application fees.

Step 7: Attend the interview

Once your documents go through the mandatory examination, you will be asked to attend an interview at the Canadian embassy or consulate.

Step 8: Receive confirmation of PR visa

For PR applications under the Express Entry system, the average time taken to process you visa will be six months.  If your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation of permanent residence or COPR from the government. You must carry this with you when you arrive in Canada to claim your PR visa.

It's important to note that you only have 60 days to make your application after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from Canada Immigration.

As a result, get your skills evaluation done ahead of time. This also serves as your red seal certification, indicating that you are immediately qualified to work as a journalist in Canada.

Adjusting to the Canadian workplace

Multiculturalism and a cultural mosaic are important aspects of Canadian identity.

Soft skills are extremely important in light of the ethnocultural diversity. In comparison to technical skills, soft skills such as integrity, open-mindedness, patience, good attitude, time management, presentation skills, and leadership traits are valued more highly.

Networking can help you obtain a job and enhance your career.