What's Your Secret? May

I started in Canada last August 2008 as a temporary foreign worker as a cook. TodayMay 30, 2014 I am now a Chef and I own my small janitorial company. We have a 3 bedroom townhomes under mortagge but I bbelieve that in more than 5 years this is one of a great achievement. My secret is strong will and motivation. I celebrate all the privileges that Canada has given me like granting me for my permanent residence. For me Canadais the land of opportunity and self improvement

Coming to Canada was a huge culture shock for me. It was totally different from the way I was raised. Back home in Zimbabwe I had left my childhood friends, and everything and I had to start building friendships all over again and start a new life.

When I came here I felt so lonely and depressed because of the fast paced culture, it took me time to adjust even adjusting to the winter weather was brutal, and I have to say I am still adjusting! It wasn't easy for me at first but it was totally worth it.

The Canadian school system was totally different. Most universities and colleges didn't accept my foreign credentials I had to go back to school and do some academic upgrading so that it will be equivalent to their education system. Learning the language was easy because I had English background but having to understand their accents was hard for me even when I was enrolled in college.

Through it all, I learned to trust in Jesus, HE alone helped me to stay positive in this foreign land and gave me hope for tomorrow that I was going to make it.

As time passed by, I started falling in love with Canada because it is the safest, most peaceful nation with happiest people, least corrupt nation, most peaceful nation and I learned to accept where I was and bloom where I was planted, which of course is Canada. I started making new friends, volunteering, and joined networking groups.

Three years went by, I graduated from college and within those years I met so many amazing new people and from there I never looked back.

I started looking for jobs for about a year nothing came. I also experienced racism but that didn't stop me, before within me I knew I had to do something. I was so discouraged but I never gave up. Then I started moving out of my comfort zone and am now planning to start my own business.

I have been in Canada for almost 5 years now. Looking back from the day I landed in Canada up to now I am so excited for most of the accomplishments I have made to this date., like graduating college, starting my own business, becoming a Canadian citizen and getting married.

I believe that this is just a beginning of my new adventure here in Canada.My other secret is not to be too afraid to make mistakes if you're never going to step out and try to do anything new. If it doesn't work out keep trying and knocking on doors and I was involved in volunteering to build up my skills and meet new people.

I thank God for the mountains and the closed doors that I faced here in Canada,
and I thank Him for the valleys,
I thank Him for the storms He brought me through.
For if I'd never had a problem,
I wouldn't know God could solve them,
I'd never know what faith in God could do in discovering Canada.

A Journey on Dreams and Cherishing Realities.

Often wonder, how life takes turns and leads to paths which you had never imagined of. To me, this new chapter is a beginning of an exciting journey. I write this chapter with every aspiration of reaching to a point which was beyond my expectations from life.
I
t is hardly two months now. I landed on this realm of opportunities on March 21, 2014. Travelling all across from India to Calgary Alberta in Canada with my husband. I am on a foreign land with a strong desire, to make it my own someday. Believing, this land which is world’s most immigrant friendly country would cater to my future nourishment. Presently, everything seems bewildered. No definite paths to walk. The picture drawn back home was so different from what is expected here to be usual.

But, honestly, journey to success is not always easy and success is not at all times measured in terms of ending up merely with jobs or means of livelihood on your hands. But its determination and positive approach, that keeps you going. For me, it is all about cherishing each and every step you take forward with a dream for a beautiful life. This life, which has happiness and a feeling of satisfaction, a sense of landmark achievement may it be in terms of professional or personal family life. It is all about contentment and ecstasy of holding something that the heart desires.

Coping with weather adaptability, acquainting surroundings and more importantly, the people and their culture, everyday is a learning, a new experience zipping the unknown to the known and leading to New Chapters in life.

Not different from other immigrant’s story, no doubt, the first few weeks of arrival went busy attending sessions with settlement and employment counselling agencies supported by Canadian government and more importantly, finding a place, which could be my new home.

This was the first time in my life I witnessed the pleasure of walking down the snow clad lanes. It was like seeing a fairyland with open eyes. The pinch of chill was every time relived by those humble people sharing experiences of their early days saying “With time, the body would adapt.” Lucky enough, we found our new home within first week and got the possession for rent on April 1. And, weather too had started giving some hope with sunshine breaks.

As days passed, efforts for entering the job market with resume writing, designing cover letters and applying online intensified. Having an established career in journalism from back home was not really an asset here. It was hard to get into this field, as my visible belly of pregnancy turned to be a barrier.
Suggested by the employment counselors, I sought to volunteering with a multicultural radio station Sabrang Radio 94.7 FM serving the South Asian Community and to my surprise, within couple of weeks, I was offered to be their Communications Assistant.
Meanwhile, my husband after facing several interviews could get his way in a food product manufacturing company ‘Cargill’. Though, both of us have not ended with our desired carrier paths, but, we are hopeful of making our own paths through these gateways.

It is a small time, and I believe this is just a beginning. But, I wonder, if the beginning itself can be so beautiful, embracing Canada and the Canadian culture for the rest of my life would be the most wonderful dream turning to reality of my life. I can feel, the good days are coming and I need to keep walking.

Thanks for letting me share, first chapter of this new commencement

Staying Positive.
We arrived n Winnipeg in the fall of 2011, me my wife and my children through Provincial nominee program, I am a College instructor in the Philippines for 5 years. Coming here is a total adjustment for us and contrary to others we brought only less money with us. I have no friends yet network to ask, I thought you come here you find a work right away. So I applied for any kind of jobs, handing tons of resume in the internet and walk-ins, but not a single answer from any employer, I had my itinerary everyday looking for the place where I could apply for, until one day I was at Polo Park and I saw a soon to open Clothing store ( Urban Planet) and I applied, I was amazed coz I got hired right away so this is it finally...but I got laid off after 3 weeks..so I keep searching again, I Don't mind coz I hate retailing, second I hate being a call center agent, and lastly I don't want to be I a healthcare field.All I want is to TEACH or work in school that's it! One fellow suggested that I should go to Manitoba Start maybe they could help, so I decided to come. the assessor said that I have a good command in English and he will place me in a certain group wherein if I pass their workshop or training they will help me to get a good job, I never thought that there was an organization helping immigrants, so finally I got selected and take note it is 6 weeks paid training. So they helped us Make good Resume and cover letter, also how to do well in an interview...and after that guess what? They Placed me in a call center company, in my thinking i should not be picky so i tried, during my breaks i still keep continue searching school jobs. One fellow again said for you to have a good job you must attend ina Canadian school, so i was walking at downtown and see this College, i entered and the academic assessor said since you are working during the day the only course we have in evening is Healthcare aide course..I said to my self are you kidding me that's my third hate field..so i ended up enrolling while working.. It came to a point that i am bored already and decided to quit in my call center job,i got hired as a community support worker in one hospital and i got hired as a casual healthcare aide in one facility, at this moment i have to like this now and force my self to love this because this is my bread and butter, and i invested my time and effort already. In the summer of 2013 there was a posting in one School Division as Program Assistant, of course i know that they will not be interested in my Resume i still applied for the nth time.. Me and my wife jumped like crazy when i received a phone call for an interview, and i said this is what i have been waiting for 2 years of non stop application. The interview lasted for 20 minutes and i am confident i did well. I went home and slept till 3pm. A call from the school division saying i am not qualified for the position, my knees dropped off and feel like want to give up and focus of what currently i am doing, but they say BUT...BUT we are i need of Educational Assistant we are just asking if you are interested, Of course i am, i said. So i am very proud to say that i am working now at College Sturgeon Heights Collegiate under Sr. James Assiniboia School division and part time Healthcare Aide at Charleswood Personal Care Center. If you think you can do it,you can.. you own it, being positive will bring positive results. In Facing Canada's phase challenges, we could achieve what we want...if we set our goal and be positive. Loving the things that you don't like for you to become will help you find yourself and love it the way it should be. Thanks for Reading!

Dreams do come true!

My name is Roxana and I emigrated from Romania on September 2010. I came alone, with all my life in a luggage in Windsor, ON, where I had my grandmother and my uncle's family living here since 2001. I knew that it's not going to be easy to find a job in my field. I am a civil engineer with two master's degrees in management and distribution of natural gas. I was eager to pursuit a career in distribution of natural gas field ( I had 5 years of experience in Romania).
I started to attend an 'Administration" course at school, only to improve my English skills and get some connections. After I finished the course, I was asked if I wanted to volunteer to get Canadian work experience. I had a great experience volunteering for three months at the best company in distribution of natural gas in 'Construction & Growth' department. It was the best work experience I had so far. The manager of the department became my mentor and thought me how to become a licensed engineer here in Canada. He gave me so many advices, I couldn't achieve anything without his support. I knew where I wanted to work and I couldn't give up to my dream job. I applied many times for jobs and I got a job interview at the same company in Thunder Bay. I was ready to leave my family again and move to another city for my dream job. Unfortunately, I didn't get the job but I got a lot of experience.
I didn't give up, though!
After one year, I found my soul mate, also a Romanian man and we got married one year later, on Valentines Day. I was so happy!! We had to move to Chatham, a city close to Windsor where we didn't know anybody. I started to work in production, as a production member only to get some experience and hopefully somebody will give me a chance to prove what I am capable of. It was very hard, but it helped me a lot to understand how is to work in a job which is way below to your education. After one year as a production member I quit my job and start volunteer again, at the Municipality Chatham-Kent in Public Works department. Working here as a volunteer opened doors for me to meet new people and make new connections in the community. In parallel, I continued to apply for jobs at the gas company ( their head office is in Chatham) and attend some Auto Cad courses at the college to improve my drawing skills.
After a few job applications, finally I got a job interview for an engineering position at the head office. I was so excited!!
I got a contract position even though I was pregnant in 6 months. I couldn't believe it! This is all I wanted: someone to give me a chance to work in my experience field. I was done with my project just before I born my beautiful baby girl.
Now, I am in maternity leave, and I will apply again for jobs at the gas company. At least, they already know me I have more chances to get a permanent job as an engineer.
In my opinion, the secret for success here in Canada is volunteering, networking, mentorship and never give up on your dreams.
Thank you Canada for changing my life!!

My husband, Ali, and I arrived in Toronto during what people describe as "Canada's worst winter in 30 years." Having emigrated from Dubai, where it's perpetually summer, we didn't mind the snow at all! In fact, we loved it and enjoyed every minute of winter! Perhaps it was this level of enthusiasm that other people saw in us, which ultimately attracted positive energy.
My husband, who even during snowstorms would go out and attend training and seminars at non-profit job placement agencies, was able to get a job in less than three months after arriving in Canada. It was definitely an emotional and proud moment for us. Despite his prior worries about possible language barriers, he was able to prove that perseverance wins over apprehension all the time.
My own blessing found me in a very unlikely place – the library. While Ali was at work, I would go to the library and just revel in the company of books! I can say that when I first saw the Toronto Reference Library, it was love at first sight. Toronto has the best public libraries and I feel so fortunate to be living in a city where reading and the arts are given so much credence. I eventually visited other libraries, and found my calling in St. James Town.
As I was returning a book to St. James Town Public Library, one member of a community outreach organization invited me to join their lunch get-together. In Dubai, if a stranger asked me to join a group of unfamiliar people for lunch, I would have outright said no. But because I was willing to open myself to new possibilities, I accepted the invitation. That was around one month ago. Now, after being able to connect to the people in my community, I am part of that same group who generously invited a newcomer to a free meal. As a volunteer, I’ve unwittingly unlocked a whole new world of opportunity, while allowing me to have a new perspective in life.
The moral of this story is quite clear, but this quote from Marcus Aurelius eloquently captures it: “Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.”

Episcopere Emmanuel Zirimwabagabo was born in Uvira, Congo DRC , the civil war that tore apart the Democratic Republic of Congo, separated him from his family for over 6 years. Emmanuel is presently employed in Northern Alberta, Canada in the Oil Sands Industry. He has made his home, with his family, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
After arriving in Edmonton in 2009 his proficiency in French made it possible for him to continue his education and complete his high school at Maurice Lavalle. When attending school he was one the few students picked to attend a program in Ottawa, Ontario from the Forum for Young Canadians to study the processes of theGovernment of Canada. Emmanuel was also one of two students picked to attend the Explore Program International Education in Vancouver, British Columbian.
Along with Emmanuel’s life experiences in Congo and his immigration to Canada he has many more from his travels to Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda and Qatar.

I have travelled around the world for half of my life, and to finally settle down with my family on a place I chose, I would like to share that the top reason for my success here in Canada is the moving out of my comfort zone. I have seen most of the beautiful places in the world, and travelling became my best teacher, and it was an instrument for me to determine where me and my family would fit in, and that of course, is Canada. However, upon landing here in Alberta, what hit me most are the climate that I am not used to, the culture that I am so used to, the system of services and ways from where I come from and the people that surround me. I knew for a fact that in order for me to achieve complete happiness and fulfillment in settling down here in Canada with my family, I have to move out from my comfort zone and embrace all the new things that come my way - however uncomfortable they may seem to me, at first. Listening to the videos of the 7 Success Secrets, I have realized that all my dreams will materialise if I deal with myself first. If things will start within me, I will come to terms with the challenges of things that I will encounter on my new environment. If I move out of my comfort zone, it is like moving on to the next chapter of a book… a whole lot different yet exciting. To learn new culture, new beliefs and new system.
Upon landing here with my family, I slowly moved out of my comfort zone. Starting with my job, I am the only Filipino in our team, and I had to learn everything. Apart from the job, the language barrier, the culture and their beliefs, I needed to digest in my mind this secret from one of the 7 Success Secrets. There are colloquial terms I needed to learn not only from work but from everywhere, and there are words that I needed to know whether or not they are improper to use. In the country where I come from where people can fill up the gas and do the car wash for you, for instance, I needed to learn all of those by myself, learn new system and accept changes about the ways in life here in Canada. In a society where I grew up, as a woman, we have traditions and beliefs that set standards and segregations, and it is good to learn that equality is existing in my new landed country. And last but not the least, the climate that was a shock for me upon coming here, I managed to come out of that comfort zone by adjusting to the season. As how the human nature is, you learn how to deal with a situation head on, in order to survive or cope. You find situations that will combat the uncomfortable and convert it to comfortable. Just like everything else here for us in Canada. And I have learned that the great desire to move out of the comfort zone and not let emotions overrule that desire, success is definitely the outcome.

I came to Canada with my family in 2006 and with the support of my family, friends, I am a published author. My book's title is "Shine - Secrets of Extraordinary Executive Assistants"

MY SUCCESS STORY
Success does not always mean reaching the zenith, sometimes it just means achieving what is so close to your heart.
Migrating to Canada was not an easy decision for me, with no family, friends or support for our family here. With all the best wishes and blessings of all our family and friends in India, I landed with my husband and two little kids in Vancouver in March, 2014.
I had heard a lot about how it is difficult to enter into your own field and how you have to get a Canadian experience to finally enter your own field of employment. With a doctorate in management and 10 years of teaching experience in Business Schools in India, the thought of doing anything other than teaching was undoubtedly hard for me. What kept me strong was a thorough belief in my skills, a positive attitude and faith in God.
A lot of internet surfing, knowing about the free seminars and workshops for new immigrants in Canada was an asset for me. In the very first week of my landing, I got myself registered with Skill Connect.
My first priority was to take care of all the documentary work and vising various offices and schools myself, allowing my husband to go and volunteer for an organization, offering them service in handling a software, which he could operate. That did pay off and within twenty days, he was offered a job to handle the same software. Step one was complete. By the time, I had registered my daughter in the nearest school and located a Preschool for my second child.
The limited hours that I had with me, when both the kids were off to their schools, was the only time in which I had to do something for my own job. I attended a few seminars and workshops by Skill Connect and had a wonderful session on Resume Writing with my counsellor there.
After applying for a number of jobs online, with a few replies here and there, I did think…oh its easier said than done…..Whatever knowledge and positive thoughts you have seem very beautiful when all is well around you, but not when the whole world seems to be only shades of grey. I did not let any negative thoughts creep up my mind and embraced the reasons that had made me decide to come to Canada. “This is the right place and it should have the right job for me”. I saw a college teaching position advertised on a job portal and decided to apply for it. I spent some time to review and refresh my resume and attached it with a modest Cover Letter. Within 2 hours of my email, I received a call for an interview which had to take place within the next two hours. I managed to reach just in time and yes… I did get the job as a Business Instructor.
So, here I am, within two months of landing in this most welcoming country, well settled but knowing…………I have miles to go before I sleep.


Vandana

staying positive

I came to Canada in early 2012 to live with my dad and his girlfriend to go to school and have a better life, I thought it would be great but it wasn’t easy. My first months here were fine and then my dad and his girlfriend started having issues and it started to become a problem for me as she started picking on me and turned my dad against me and he became violent with me then my life just went downhill. The only things that seem to be going well in my life were school and work; I tried my best to concentrate on those things and them alone. It wasn’t easy and as the months past it got harder I stopped eating and started staying at school longer, then just go to work just to avoid being at home with them. It’s like nothing I did was right, form the moment I started working my dad stopped helping me financially, all my bills and stuff I needed I paid for and he never yet asked if I was ok or if I needed anything. I started giving up on everything and I cried myself to sleep every night all I wanted to do was go back home I was so unhappy. I thought things couldn’t get any worst, I was wrong. On September 2nd 2013, I was at work and I received a call from the police saying that I had to leave the apartment because my step mother was afraid of me, I was so confused because I have never done anything for her or anyone to be afraid of me, I couldn’t stop crying. I called my dad and all he did was say he was coming to get me but when he got there he didn’t explain anything to me except bring me to get my stuff. When we got there the police officers met us at the elevator and I packed some of my stuff and my dad took his suitcase so I thought he was leaving with me and he did but he went back while I was alone and with no were to go, I couldn’t even talk to my friends from work or school because I didn’t know how to tell anyone what my dad did to me. I was so depressed I couldn’t handle school or anything else, every time I tried to talk about my situation I would bursts into tears. After a month of staying with friends I had no choice but to go to a shelter. I really didn’t want to be in a shelter but I had no choice I was in a country with no one to turn to. I spent two months in a Toronto YWCA and to be honest as scared as I was it was the best two months I had since moving to Canada. I met people who understood me and motivated me. I worked with the staff there to apply for housing assistance and they helped me with counseling and school, I felt like I had people around me that cared about me. After a month and a half at the YWCA I was approved for housing and was helped with furniture and other things. Before the New Year came in I was in my own furnished apartment and applying to get back into school. My life was getting back on track. Now I’m in my second semester of college doing great and being happy despite all I’ve been through. I give thanks for the people that I met and helped me through the hardest part of my life I ever face.

Be positive.
Don't think. About. Your. Past.
Be ambitious
Courage. To learning

Always. Away from negative thinking
Start your career with new determination
Every new day be more energatic then before
its a key for successful life

I have migrated Canada 2011 July.I am a experienced banking professional.I had a plan.
Plan A-Rather than applying for jobs at once I have decided to improve English language and do volunteering .After that to apply for jobs in my field.
Plan B-If I could not find a good job ,going back to college
My success story-
As per plan A I enrolled ELT course for Financial professional and got a chance to volunteering in a financial office for 2 months.Also I got a chance to having a mentor. After that I started to apply for jobs in my profession.I had some telephone interviews only.How ever I was staying positive.After 2 months I was called for a face to face interview in a bank.that was my 1st formal interview in Canada.I faced it properly and got a job as a senior banking operation officer after 1 years time arriving to Canada.I got the job because of my back home banking experience.I was so happy that I am doing almost same work what I did in back home.I have been working there for 2 years.
SO I DID NOT NEED TO GO FOR PLAN B.even though still I am following some professional courses (part time)to upgrade my self.

The first time I saw, Nick Noorani, a video posted on a government website, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, where he shared his experience and own story of coming to Canada, I realized one important thing that has inspired me.
He said, ...people who have other friends and make connections to other people, other than your own culture, are the ones who stay happy and successful living in Canada. (I have paraphrased what he said on the video). And therefore, that is one of the secrets of staying happy of where you are. Because if you are happy, everything else falls into place. You make connections. You explore the new world. You get involved into your community. A community is not just one language, or one culture, or one neighbour. This is the starting place of a newcomers successful journey to a new career, a new life, a new family! Sure, I miss everything about the place I grew up, and miss the lifestyle I had, with familiar faces, places and activities. These things do not go away, it stays with us no matter where we go. I took these memories and who I was before I came to Canada, and turned them into strength, as opposed to distractions. I went to school and met new friends. I took part in workshops, orientations and group activities offered by settlement agencies and recreation centres where I live. I started friendships with people, other than my own native community. I participated in mentorship programs offered by non-profit agencies. As soon as I get a chance, I went to further my education and went back to college. I read literature, specialized in newcomers, such as pamphlets provided to me at the airport, flyers in the libraries, books that discuss about life in Canada. I got involved in some research projects , when I was invited to join a focus group, I agreed. networking is one of the most powerful tool of success , as a newcomer, most especially, since, we are starting a new life. It is really moving to a new area. It was hard to leave everything behind, especially if, like most newcomers who are coming within the last 5 years- we were highly educated. We owned our house. We owned a business. We had colleagues, and people whom we know for many many years, people whom we trust and worked with for many years. Now that we are finally here, by choice! we have been given an opportunity to prove ourselves again. Prove that we can obtain and finish an education. To prove that we can earn money , and own a house, in due time. To prove that we can establish a career. To prove that we can meet and keep new friendships, much like the same way we have done in our previous country. Coming to Canada should not change the way we were and who we are! Sure, there are changes - our emotions change the day we landed here in Canada, our physical environment is different and most of all, our economic status was significantly affected, from an Employed professional, to Unemployed professional. However, these things are temporary! This is not your permanent destination! Everyone has its way of dealing with frustrations, to me the best way to deal with these things, is that over the years, just as what I have mentioned, I have kept myself busy. I initiated contact with different people. I got involved in my community, who has a lot of things to offer, I made myself available to anything that is offered to me- from workshops, programs, activities and information meetings that were available in my community. I did not stay in my own comfort zone, which is, staying close and friends with my own culture who speaks the same language as I do. I met new people who speak my language, AND I met and befriend people who does not speak my language. That is when I started to feel connected in my own community! This is how I started to feel Canada, as my new home! Not a second home, as what other people described it! This is my story, and hope that a lot of you would feel the benefit of the things that I have done, for the first 3 months of my stay in Canada. I proved to myself that the same person who was successful back in my native country, can be successful here in Canada. and I did. I got my college education. I started my own family, with 3 children who were born in Canada. I have a circle of friends , who speaks, over 10 languages! I have a full-time job that, 3 years ago, I would have never thought possible! As for you, are you ready to prove to yourself that you can still be all of these things that you were before you came to Canada, a big question mark- only YOU can answer. Start your journey now, use the resources that are available to you. Once you start and keep going, do not look back and stop...picture your mind when you first coming out the airport, and saw the word bienvenue Canada, and you will feel, that you are welcome here in Canada and that YOU have a place, yet to be found and yet to be discovered! Good luck !

I was 6 months old when my parents fled Sri Lanka because of the war. We lost everything as our house was completely destroyed by the missiles. We fled to India with only the clothes on our backs. After my parents struggled in India for 6 years, my grandmother who lived in Winnipeg, sponsored us to come to Canada.

I remember when I first arrived in Winnipeg, it was a cold December night and I was wearing a dress and my legs were cold. For the first time in my life, I witnessed my first snow fall. It was so surreal because Sri Lanka was so hot. So I stuck my tongue out to catch snow flakes in my mouth.

In January, I started school and it was all new to me because I've never been to school before and I also didn't speak any English. This was a struggle for me throughout grade 1 and I overcame this with the help of my grandmother who herself is an immigrant. We moved to Toronto when I was 12 and currently I'm enrolled in Child and Youth Worker program in George Brown College and I received an A in English and I'm also on the honour roll list. I work part time in a large grocery store.

If it wasn't for my parents struggle and bravery to come to an new country where everything is foreign and new, I would not be where I am today. I am grateful and thankful that Canada has given my family and I a great opportunity to strive.

Moving to Canada and indeed Windsor, ON was a daunting prospect. Leaving family and a great career was challenging. Landing in the winter was demoralizing.

At the time it was hard to get into the workplace. However, early research into credential assessment left my husband and I in good stead. With limited teaching positions for Canadian students, I looked to diversify my experience. The settlement agencies and local newspaper and websites helped with networking.

Interviews were difficult to obtain but one needed to ensure that their cover letter and resume was appropriate and efficient. It is paramount that one believes in their skill set and networks appropriately. Chasing up applications a week after applying is essential. On occasions, some agencies had not read my resume but after my phone call, sifted through the pile to find my resume. I was successful in landing interviews.

I have since worked for two different organizations and finished up as a Manager. I left to pursue further education and am now enrolled in a PHd program.

The secret is to believe you can diversify and look at your skills in different ways. This will give you the ability to be successful. In doing so, have the confidence to chase up every job application by phone and spend 15 mins of your time a week on your application. Sometimes people best remember your uniqueness on the phone rather than a standard resume that sits in a pile with all the others.