Employment

Growing up in Romania I often worked with my hands picking up fruits and vegetables in summer and autumn and helping my mother with various chores around the house, but I cannot say that the work that I did with my hands was creative.

As a child, I have worked creatively with my hands when I was painting or doing arts and crafts activities at school or for the school. My studies growing up were focused very much on acquiring academical skills, memorising information and trying to find a logical solution to various problems.

It’s hard for me to say if I enjoy working creatively with my hands. I think that it’s quite late for me now to rethink my life and start working using my hands when I don’t know if I would be good at it and I have already spent most of my life studying and preparing for an academic career.

I know that in Romania, students who want to become skilled labourers go to various technical schools, but the schools are not very good. Students who don’t enjoy studying usually chose these types of schools. They would rather learn some practical skills and I understand their motivation. Teaching people practical skills in schools is more expensive and probably this is the reason why most schools are theoretical.

Skilled labour jobs are really important for the economy, but as far as I am concerned, I was accepted to come to Canada as a skilled worker, for my qualifications, my previous studies and work experience and I wouldn’t like the idea to feel pressured to choose a skilled labour job, because I am an immigrant.