Canada

[darc]

Your thoughts about Canada? Ontario specifically...

My job is being totally gay - cutting some people to 32hr work weeks, requiring weeks of unpaid vacation, cutting pay amount, lay-offs, etc.

Keep in mind that I'm a skilled laborer - I have a B.S. in Computer Science and am extremely good at what I do (if you don't mind me tooting my own horn...woooo... that should be illegal... anyone else want to touch my horn?)

Seriously, I'm a humble person, but I honestly feel like I'm very good at what I do (and I love what I do), and that seems to be confirmed by those that I work with/support. For instance, today I had a data architect (the people who tell me what needs to be done, then I make it reality with code) verbally assault my boss with threats of what would happen if I was to be put on a 32hr work week... which makes me happy that people appreciate my work - and she's only over one of the 20ish accounts I support, but I really do try not to be prideful (really... though that sentence negates my statement thereof).

It seems that so far I have been safe because I've been assigned the "advanced" projects for certain clients (can't name them here for contract reasons, but think of one the biggest entertainment companies in the world, two of the biggest telco carriers in the US, and a few companies you've never heard of that will be getting very big, very soon, with the help of what I've done for them [with my companies data]).

But, I'm getting off-topic. My issue is this : I'm thinking of abandoning a sinking ship in the US and going to work in Ontario. I know I can find a job in the US... but Canada sounds cool, right?

I welcome -ALL- opinions. I don't care if you love or hate what I've said, I want -EVERYONES- opinion. I'm young, and I know that I can probably find a new job (however hard it may be) with my skillset (even as bad as the market it is)... but I'm mainly looking for input on Canada.

Though... if you know of a CS opening in your area... don't you keep it from me or I'll chase you down and beat you with a............ pothos? .... or something terrible like that....

Thanks,
-darc

[Epiphile]

Do it... I live in Toronto, and though the city has some negative aspects, all in all it's pretty damned good. I've spent no more than a few months at a time in the US, and so may not be the best judge, but I am able to make an observation that things actually are markedly different on either side of the border.

Ontario's certainly the province with the most work, and apparently our recession is receding, so I'd consider it a safe bet.

Is there anything you wanted to know about, specifically?

[beckdg]

have you heard of the newseum darc? i may be able to get you in with the company that designed, setup and maintains that place. obviously it's only one of their accounts but if you check out the website dedicated to the newseum you'll get a good idea of the technology you'll be working with. think about it... a 90 foot hi def screen-wall and 4-d interactive news rooms where you're part of the story.

if you're interested let me know and i'll see what i can do. obviously i can't vouch for your work but i can get you a very important contact who happens to be called uncle... hint, hint. i doubt canada can offer that opportunity for you but if you like it there go for it.

[beckdg]

and i just wanted to tell everyone my daughter earned herself 2 merit badges yesterday. i am so proud of her. can you guess what they are?




GirlScoutsmotivationalposter1.jpg

[darc]

Originally Posted by Epiphile

Do it... I live in Toronto, and though the city has some negative aspects, all in all it's pretty damned good. I've spent no more than a few months at a time in the US, and so may not be the best judge, but I am able to make an observation that things actually are markedly different on either side of the border.

Ontario's certainly the province with the most work, and apparently our recession is receding, so I'd consider it a safe bet.

Is there anything you wanted to know about, specifically?

How's the outdoors scene? I know Canada has tons of untouched wilderness, but how's the rock climbing? I'd ask about SCUBA diving, but I'm not sure if that's possible there without a dry suit. So, how's the weather? What average temps are you looking at for each season? IE: Here in Arkansas, US - we average high 30's to low 40's except for the occasional dip down into the teens when bad weather rolls in. In the summer it averages in the 80's to 90's and 100+ on the hot days (this is all in Fahrenheit... we're old school).

-darc

[darc]

Originally Posted by beckdg

have you heard of the newseum darc? i may be able to get you in with the company that designed, setup and maintains that place. obviously it's only one of their accounts but if you check out the website dedicated to the newseum you'll get a good idea of the technology you'll be working with. think about it... a 90 foot hi def screen-wall and 4-d interactive news rooms where you're part of the story.

if you're interested let me know and i'll see what i can do. obviously i can't vouch for your work but i can get you a very important contact who happens to be called uncle... hint, hint. i doubt canada can offer that opportunity for you but if you like it there go for it.

Thanks for the offer, but from what I've read it looks like it'd mostly be all IT work. I'm more on the CS (computer science) side of things where I create the software that makes everything work.

... that place does look freaking sweet though... I want to visit it : D

-darc

[beckdg]

Originally Posted by darc

Thanks for the offer, but from what I've read it looks like it'd mostly be all IT work. I'm more on the CS (computer science) side of things where I create the software that makes everything work.

... that place does look freaking sweet though... I want to visit it : D

-darc

they do a lot of that too from what i gather from conversations with my uncle. they had to make all that crap work.

i don't blame you for wanting to get out of the country though... see if the grass really is greener...

[Lasher]

Originally Posted by darc

I want -EVERYONES- opinion.

I've never visited the US and never intend to for one simple reason: its full of Americans. Canada may only be America 'lite' but its still a step towards joining the civilised world.

*ducks and covers from incoming flames*

[beckdg]

Originally Posted by Lasher

I've never visited the US and never intend to for one simple reason: its full of Americans. Canada may only be America 'lite' but its still a step towards joining the civilised world.

*ducks and covers from incoming flames*

typical... but now you'll have to run. if you stop i'll find you.

[brp4e.]

I live here in BC, and you can scuba w/o a dry suit, its just that you may be really cold you can do it though and its not to bad.