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IMG in Canada : How are you surviving?

canuck78

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Jun 18, 2017
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Do you have any idea about other fields as well example marketing or sales job , just the job market in general ?
Marketing jobs are always tough to get. It is a popular field of interest but not a huge volume of jobs. All high paying jobs are going to be competitive it really depends on your sales experience and you knowledge of the product category. For sales jobs employers usually want to see a track record of being successful in sales unless you are looking for entry level jobs. I am happy to be Canadian but given your training I can’t imagine moving to Canada and starting my education from scratch so I could move there versus considering immigrating or working in another country. Canada is not that great.
 

21Goose

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Nov 10, 2016
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Do you have any idea about other fields as well example marketing or sales job , just the job market in general ?
The job market in general depends entirely on your skills and level of experience, education. With your education, it would be tough to get a high paying marketing/sales job right off the bat. You'd need to start at the bottom - you will be competing with people with MBA's, business degrees, and so on.

However, it's not impossible to get a good job if you have the right education/experience. Canada isn't a huge economy like the US, but it isn't an economically depressed one either (though arguably the mining/oil/resource extraction industry is currently down and out). It's a small country and the job market is correspondingly small, that's all.
 

Dr_SPO

Newbie
Jun 10, 2019
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I'm a doctor in Nigeria seeking to immigrate to Canada soon.

I've read about how hard it is to practice medicine in Canada as an IMG.

But in my research, I came across the Doctor of Medicine and Master of Surgery (M.D.,C.M.) program for International Medical Graduates (IMG) which can be done in 2yrs. Offered by McGill.ca.

Who knows about this program?
Do you know any IMG that has participated in it?
Will it make me a Canadian trained doctor?

https://www.mcgill.ca/medadmissions/programs/mdcm-img
 

canuck78

VIP Member
Jun 18, 2017
52,969
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I'm a doctor in Nigeria seeking to immigrate to Canada soon.

I've read about how hard it is to practice medicine in Canada as an IMG.

But in my research, I came across the Doctor of Medicine and Master of Surgery (M.D.,C.M.) program for International Medical Graduates (IMG) which can be done in 2yrs. Offered by McGill.ca.

Who knows about this program?
Do you know any IMG that has participated in it?
Will it make me a Canadian trained doctor?

https://www.mcgill.ca/medadmissions/programs/mdcm-img
You would still need to match and do your residency. Not being able to get a residency spot is why most IMGs can't practice medicine in Canada. Would email the program administrator and see how many people they accepted into the program (and how many applicants applied) and how many actually graduated and matched to a residency spots.
 
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nik0326

Member
Apr 18, 2019
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H
Marketing jobs are always tough to get. It is a popular field of interest but not a huge volume of jobs. All high paying jobs are going to be competitive it really depends on your sales experience and you knowledge of the product category. For sales jobs employers usually want to see a track record of being successful in sales unless you are looking for entry level jobs. I am happy to be Canadian but given your training I can’t imagine moving to Canada and starting my education from scratch so I could move there versus considering immigrating or working in another country. Canada is not that great.
Hi
So basically i asked this question before, so right now i have got my PR and i would be moving to canada soon. my gf is a doctor in india with mbbs and md radiology, just wanted to know again if there is a point for her to move to canada ? would she have to give all the exams and do the residency again ? and even if she can do all of this is there a good scope after that ?
 

21Goose

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Nov 10, 2016
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Hi
So basically i asked this question before, so right now i have got my PR and i would be moving to canada soon. my gf is a doctor in india with mbbs and md radiology, just wanted to know again if there is a point for her to move to canada ? would she have to give all the exams and do the residency again ? and even if she can do all of this is there a good scope after that ?
Yes, she'll have to do her residency all over again. Add to that, it's very difficult for Doctors to get a spot to do residency - you should thoroughly research the subject so you don't get disappointed later.
 

nik0326

Member
Apr 18, 2019
12
0
Yes, she'll have to do her residency all over again. Add to that, it's very difficult for Doctors to get a spot to do residency - you should thoroughly research the subject so you don't get disappointed later.
So just to be clear ,, she ll have to give the exams first then do a residency which is very difficult to get,then she can do a fellowship in intervention radiololgy which i am assuming is also very difficult to get in and ten assuming everything works out till here after that also your saying there are not good opportunities in canada ?
 

21Goose

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Nov 10, 2016
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Feb 2017
So just to be clear ,, she ll have to give the exams first then do a residency which is very difficult to get,then she can do a fellowship in intervention radiololgy which i am assuming is also very difficult to get in and ten assuming everything works out till here after that also your saying there are not good opportunities in canada ?
Getting residency is the hard part. After that there are opportunities, but it's extremely difficult to get residency. There are a handful of spots and there can be thousands of eligible candidates.

It's not that it's impossible. It's just a lot tougher for doctors who want to practice (and they may have to give up being a doctor, which may or may not be possible) as compared to most other professions. That's why doctors are encouraged to really do the research before making plans to move here. Depending on your circumstances, it may be viable to give up being a doctor and do something else.
 

canuck78

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Jun 18, 2017
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So just to be clear ,, she ll have to give the exams first then do a residency which is very difficult to get,then she can do a fellowship in intervention radiololgy which i am assuming is also very difficult to get in and ten assuming everything works out till here after that also your saying there are not good opportunities in canada ?
Guarantee that there won't be any radiology residency spots left unless someone gets sick after they have been matched. Canadian students get to pick residency spots first and radiology is a sought after residency so some Canadians students won't get a radiology residency. You can try but chances of getting a radiology residency are so close to 0%. There may be opportunities for radiologists once they graduate dependent on who retires, hospital expansion, etc.
 

Aryefc

Star Member
Jan 21, 2019
102
79
Brazil
AOR Received.
05-12-2018
No problem. Unfortunately there are wait times in Canada to access healthcare so many interpret that as jobs being available for physicians in Canada. It has to do with budget constraints and not about the lack of doctors to hire. Some consultants also mislead people or relatives hear on the news that there is a shortage of doctors and encourage relatives to relocate. Surprising how little research some doctors do before relocating. Even if they have looked up the process of relicensing, most have not looked up the statistics about how many IMGs get licensed or dead the stories of previous IMGs who are angry that they came to Canada. Some do plan on a career change but all consultants recommend masters in public health or hospital administration which are also tough area to get jobs.
I believe the best chance to be able to practice is the PRA. Residency is just too difficult (much harder than the US - and the US is already hard). I believe that coming to Canada to come and practice medicine is not recommended. I am an IMG and I am willing to take the steps to try to practice, but I'd be ok if I don't make it. I can go to another field, I'm still young, doesn't matter how much I used to make in my home country I would never have the quality of life.

I truly believe it's only worthy to come to Canada as an IMG is if you are okay doing something else if it doesn't work out. People coming believing they will be able to practice will get disappointed.
 

canuck78

VIP Member
Jun 18, 2017
52,969
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I believe the best chance to be able to practice is the PRA. Residency is just too difficult (much harder than the US - and the US is already hard). I believe that coming to Canada to come and practice medicine is not recommended. I am an IMG and I am willing to take the steps to try to practice, but I'd be ok if I don't make it. I can go to another field, I'm still young, doesn't matter how much I used to make in my home country I would never have the quality of life.

I truly believe it's only worthy to come to Canada as an IMG is if you are okay doing something else if it doesn't work out. People coming believing they will be able to practice will get disappointed.
Agree. Only physician who are fine not practicing should move. Only GPs really have a chance to practice in my opinion. PRA or doing your residency again. Chances are still small with quite a lot of competition. Many are moving to Canada as specialists having done very little research on how difficult it will be to practice which boggles my mind and why I try to warn people.
 
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canuck78

VIP Member
Jun 18, 2017
52,969
12,768
I believe the best chance to be able to practice is the PRA. Residency is just too difficult (much harder than the US - and the US is already hard). I believe that coming to Canada to come and practice medicine is not recommended. I am an IMG and I am willing to take the steps to try to practice, but I'd be ok if I don't make it. I can go to another field, I'm still young, doesn't matter how much I used to make in my home country I would never have the quality of life.

I truly believe it's only worthy to come to Canada as an IMG is if you are okay doing something else if it doesn't work out. People coming believing they will be able to practice will get disappointed.
I looked through your posts and saw that you are thinking of moving to Toronto. If your goal is to get into the BC PRA program would suggest you move to BC, volunteer in medical settings, show that you are comfortable spending time in the underserviced areas. Lots of qualified people apply. You also have to convince committees you are the applicant that will continue living in these remote communities longterm and have done everything to try and show interest in becoming part of the health system in B.C. or SK if you are looking at that program.

My advice only works if you are under 35. Preferably closer to 30 so that the provinces can benefit with a doctor with experience that has many years of practice in front of them.
 
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Aryefc

Star Member
Jan 21, 2019
102
79
Brazil
AOR Received.
05-12-2018
I looked through your posts and saw that you are thinking of moving to Toronto. If your goal is to get into the BC PRA program would suggest you move to BC, volunteer in medical settings, show that you are comfortable spending time in the underserviced areas. Lots of qualified people apply. You also have to convince committees you are the applicant that will continue living in these remote communities longterm and have done everything to try and show interest in becoming part of the health system in B.C. or SK if you are looking at that program.

My advice only works if you are under 35. Preferably closer to 30 so that the provinces can benefit with a doctor with experience that has many years of practice in front of them.
I was thinking about moving to SK or Manitoba. I know BC has a PRA program but I believe it's more achievable in SK/MB even because I don't really mind moving there, it was my first option all along.
I am thinking: moving to Toronto so my wife and I can get Canadian work experience for a few months. Take the QE1 this year, then after the QE1 we'd move to MB/SK and I'll only be able to take the NAC next year. During that period I'll be doing volunteering in hospitals or other medical settings and try to get medical observerships in GP I can understand how Canadian healthcare works.

I have speciality in FM in Brazil and have 5 years experience in the area. I'm also 29 now
 

canuck78

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Jun 18, 2017
52,969
12,768
I was thinking about moving to SK or Manitoba. I know BC has a PRA program but I believe it's more achievable in SK/MB even because I don't really mind moving there, it was my first option all along.
I am thinking: moving to Toronto so my wife and I can get Canadian work experience for a few months. Take the QE1 this year, then after the QE1 we'd move to MB/SK and I'll only be able to take the NAC next year. During that period I'll be doing volunteering in hospitals or other medical settings and try to get medical observerships in GP I can understand how Canadian healthcare works.

I have speciality in FM in Brazil and have 5 years experience in the area. I'm also 29 now
It usually takes a few months to get a job. Working for a few months on your resume makes you look like an unreliable employee unless it is was for a short contract. You also will pay very high fees for a short term rentals. Toronto is expensive and most require you to sign a 1 year lease. Assume that many candidates are doing the same thing and you’re looking at so few spots that it extremely competitive. If you get picked for the SK or MB programs your wife is unlikely to find work in her profession unless she is a nurse or perhaps a teacher if she can get licensed. I guess if she can work remotely that might also be an option. Most places are much more rural than in BC. Wish you the best of luck. It is a very tough process.
 

Aryefc

Star Member
Jan 21, 2019
102
79
Brazil
AOR Received.
05-12-2018
It usually takes a few months to get a job. Working for a few months on your resume makes you look like an unreliable employee unless it is was for a short contract. You also will pay very high fees for a short term rentals. Toronto is expensive and most require you to sign a 1 year lease. Assume that many candidates are doing the same thing and you’re looking at so few spots that it extremely competitive. If you get picked for the SK or MB programs your wife is unlikely to find work in her profession unless she is a nurse or perhaps a teacher if she can get licensed. I guess if she can work remotely that might also be an option. Most places are much more rural than in BC. Wish you the best of luck. It is a very tough process.
I'm following your advice. I landed in Toronto two days ago but since I'll try the PRA it'll be better if I move. I believe SK is more achievable (I know someone who got her license though SIPPA) so I'm moving. If it doesn't work, then I can come back to Toronto to follow another path, but since PRAs are extremely competitive I have to do everything possible to increase my chances. I'll study to ace the MCCs, try to get medical observerships in order to get experience and networking and will volunteer at healthcare in SK.

If it doesn't work out, at least I know I tried my best and will have no regrets.

Thanks for the advice.