By Marietta Pangan
What I know Now
“Moving permanently to a different country means leaving your comfort zone. This decision will bring setbacks, challenges, and many emotions. To succeed, you must be resilient, patient, and accepting of the changes.”
My Life Before Canada
Our plans for the future took an unexpected turn when a family member suggested we apply for the Family Sponsorship program, a pathway to becoming Permanent Residents of Canada. This was a significant departure from our initial plans of pursuing higher education and career advancement in our home country.
I left behind my role as a manager in the Corporate Banking Group at a top financial institution in the Philippines and my part-time teaching position at a prestigious college in Metro Manila to embark on a new chapter in Canada. The application process was challenging. Gathering numerous documents took significant time and effort. After a two-year wait to include our newborn, we arrived in Calgary, Alberta, in July 2012 with a toddler.
Welcome To Canada, Eh!
Upon our arrival in Calgary in the summer of 2012, our supportive relatives, the program’s major sponsors, welcomed us and generously offered their rent-free basement suite. This helped us save money for our future home.
The first year involved a lot of adjustment to the Canadian way of life, including the culture, weather, driving, and job search. My husband, a former police officer, took the Alberta Guard training on our aunt’s advice. After passing the test, he quickly found a job in Downtown Calgary. During that time, I faced a significant challenge as I cared for my young son, who was still a toddler.
To begin looking for part-time work, I enrolled him in a daycare. Fortunately, we benefitted from a childcare subsidy program for low-income residents, which was a great help to my husband and me, considering the high cost of daycare services. I also explored various jobs, such as office clerk or cashier for a supermarket chain. Finally, I received my first job offer as a part-time customer service representative (CSR) at one of the banks in Canada.
The Future
Living rent-free with our relatives for a year was a big help. It allowed us to save money and finally move out on our own. My husband worked part-time at a manufacturing plant and as a cleaner every weekend in addition to his full-time job. After 2 ½ years, we were able to buy our first house in July 2015. I worked as a CSR for a year until my employer offered me the chance to take courses and get licenses for my next role as a Financial Advisor. I am incredibly thankful for the opportunities I received during my 5 ½ years at my previous job.
I joined Servus Credit Union in late 2017 as a financial advisor, progressed to an assistant branch manager, and now I am a branch manager. Throughout my journey at Servus, I have been fully supported, gained extensive knowledge, and maintained a balanced work-life to fulfill my duties and responsibilities in this role.
