When Chibugwum landed in Regina, Saskatchewan, in December 2023, the freezing air hit him like a shockwave. Coming from Nigeria, where warmth is both a climate and a way of life, he knew the cold would be intense - but he was prepared. Introduced by the IRCC pre-arrival program, Chibugwum learned about Welcome to Canada, a platform with trusted resources for newcomers. “Thanks to the information on Welcome to Canada, I had already conditioned my mind for the worst-case scenario,” in thinking about how cold it can get, he recalls. “If you’re going to Regina, get a jacket that has minus 80 degrees resistance,” he added with a laugh.
With a background in IT and government work, Chibugwum had always dreamed of expanding his career on a global scale. Moving to Canada was a leap - one inspired by love, as he reunited with his wife, but also by ambition. He wanted to break into the tech industry in his new home, despite the hurdles that lay ahead.
Back in Nigeria, Chibugwum had never written a job application. He quickly learned that job searching in Canada operated differently.
“People tell me, you must do a survival job before you get a good IT job. But I said to them, no, it's not possible.” Determined to follow his career path, Chibugwum enrolled in a program that supports newcomers in Canada through Welcome to Canada almost immediately. The program provided him with access to online courses and helped him recognize the value of his transferable skills - something he hadn’t fully appreciated before.
With determination and perseverance, he landed his first job in Canada as a field service technician, a role that took him to Kamloops, British Columbia.
“I tell newcomers, these programs are there for you. The government has set them up so you don’t have to struggle. You can find them on Welcome to Canada.”
“Without the information on Welcome to Canada, life would have been messy.” Chibugwum emphasizes the importance of preparation and community support. Welcome to Canada helped him mentally brace for challenges, from understanding the extreme weather to navigating different provinces and learning about demanding jobs. “I still have it and am still learning about the potential in other places in Canada. I really like the design and how it’s been arranged. It’s user-friendly and easy to navigate.”
After learning about the new AI-powered career tools, Virtual Career Coach launched last summer on Welcome to Canada, Chibugwum used it to find jobs for himself, and friends who were also newcomers on the Job Board. “You will not want to settle in a particular place, you want to explore. You want to get new opportunities. And so is your job search. The job board can narrow it down to a location, to whatever you want, to even the pay.”
As someone who learned the difference between job searching in Canada and Nigeria, Chibugwum found the AI-powered Job Interview Coach especially valuable. “It’s useful for myself as well as those who just arrived. So they can understand how to go through interviews, especially coming from a different region or a different field, into a new region or a new field. You can search for the jobs you’re applying for, and it shows how to answer questions about those jobs. You can prepare for interviews like a pro.”
Now enjoying life with his wife in Kamloops, BC, Chibugwum isn’t stopping at his first job. His vision is broader - he wants to start his own business and, perhaps one day, step into leadership roles in Canada to improve living conditions and support migrants.
He actively recommends Welcome to Canada and its Virtual Career Coach to fellow newcomers, helping them sidestep common pitfalls. “With the right resources and support, Canada is a place of opportunity, a place you can grow, a place you can fly, a place to achieve your dreams.”
Chibugwum’s story is one of perseverance, adaptation, and the power of preparation. He arrived with determination and, with the right tools and mindset, turned uncertainty into opportunity. His advice to newcomers? “Don’t settle for less. Equip yourself. The resources are out there - find them on Welcome to Canada and make good use of them.”
Visuals credit: Diego Franco
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