(no subject)
Here it goes.
Anyway, I guess it's out right now as I'm sure that a few people knew that I finally got a job.
You may don't have the slightest clue how hard it is for me to find a job in the Oilpatch industry; especially that if you’re deaf or have some form of disability. I just graduated from SAIT nearly six months ago. I've talked with some of my classmates, and I found out that almost all of them have found employment instantly- within 2 months since graduation. Some of them chose to work in the office, or in the field.
I was so frustrated; regardless of trying different ways to find a job.
- I mailed out to more than 70 companies. I ended up getting only like 15 "Thank you for your resume; however, we are not recruiting anyone right now." Letters!
- I made a bunch phone calls to human resources agencies (Manpower, Bowen, etc), and I even met with a few of them. They are freakin’ useless! They would say, "Sure, we’ll attain your resume for one year, and we will phone you if anything comes up" I never receive any phone calls from them since May.
- Someone recommended me to try at the Champions agency. Champions is a government-funded agency to help people with disability to land employment. I decided to meet with them in Mid-June as I don't have any luck finding a job. I went through signing a bunch of forms, and attended a few workshops. Champions referred me to a consulting firm. This consulting firm isn't any helpful either. So yeah, this definitely just wasted my time big time.
- From Mid-April until September, I applied to many job postings by the companies' career pages. I ended up with plenty of phone calls for interviews. In those nowadays, job applications via the internet is preferred than mail! Jeez.
I went to my first interview in April when it was in middle of my finals, and went to my last interview on the worst day as possible: Monday, September 11. Yes. I finally got hired!
I just started my job almost a month ago at one of the reputable oil & gas companies, EnCana. After months of dealing with the bullshit with Champions, and other agencies, I'm just glad that I am back in the workforce. Actually, I ended up working temporarily at Super Dollar store. Also, I also kept myself busy by helping out with my parents with bathroom renovations. There were major leaks in the subfloors and the shower area…and there were moulds growing in between! I also decided not to go on a trip that was planned by my extended family - due to budget and myself being unemployed.
So, how's my job so far? It's too early to say. However, it is going so well. My teammates are really friendly and so easy to get along with. There are a few things that I didn't expect to happen since I didn't even ask for any special treatment. For example, I met with one of my human resources advisors 3 weeks ago to discuss the benefits and stuff. She informed me that she will organize a sign language workshop for my team members (without asking me first). The workshop will happen sometimes next week. And, they even offered to hook me up with a TTY phone. Unbelievable, eh?
Now...last Friday was certainly a day that is full of events at work. First I went out to lunch, and I ended up running into two guys who were my classmates whom I haven't seen them since April, I ended chatting with them for a while. Then, while I was waiting for an elevator, a guy from my floor asked me if I'm going to the Fall Freeze; it is for all staff party hosted at some restaurant at Eau Claire’s Market at 4:30pm. The purpose of this is to celebrate the beginning of drilling season. Anyway, it was my first time to see the dynamic of people working at EnCana- from their early 20s to mid-50s. I also found out that I'm the youngest person in my team, since that I talked with Chris who is an engineer. He said something like, "I'm only 24, and I was the youngest one until you joined our team!" haha.
Ok, I should get going as I have to do some reading before tomorrow's workshop at the Calgary Zoo. It should be fun though. With whatever you're doing right now: in school, work or in a different situation, I hope that you are doing well!
-Justine
Anyway, I guess it's out right now as I'm sure that a few people knew that I finally got a job.
You may don't have the slightest clue how hard it is for me to find a job in the Oilpatch industry; especially that if you’re deaf or have some form of disability. I just graduated from SAIT nearly six months ago. I've talked with some of my classmates, and I found out that almost all of them have found employment instantly- within 2 months since graduation. Some of them chose to work in the office, or in the field.
I was so frustrated; regardless of trying different ways to find a job.
- I mailed out to more than 70 companies. I ended up getting only like 15 "Thank you for your resume; however, we are not recruiting anyone right now." Letters!
- I made a bunch phone calls to human resources agencies (Manpower, Bowen, etc), and I even met with a few of them. They are freakin’ useless! They would say, "Sure, we’ll attain your resume for one year, and we will phone you if anything comes up" I never receive any phone calls from them since May.
- Someone recommended me to try at the Champions agency. Champions is a government-funded agency to help people with disability to land employment. I decided to meet with them in Mid-June as I don't have any luck finding a job. I went through signing a bunch of forms, and attended a few workshops. Champions referred me to a consulting firm. This consulting firm isn't any helpful either. So yeah, this definitely just wasted my time big time.
- From Mid-April until September, I applied to many job postings by the companies' career pages. I ended up with plenty of phone calls for interviews. In those nowadays, job applications via the internet is preferred than mail! Jeez.
I went to my first interview in April when it was in middle of my finals, and went to my last interview on the worst day as possible: Monday, September 11. Yes. I finally got hired!
I just started my job almost a month ago at one of the reputable oil & gas companies, EnCana. After months of dealing with the bullshit with Champions, and other agencies, I'm just glad that I am back in the workforce. Actually, I ended up working temporarily at Super Dollar store. Also, I also kept myself busy by helping out with my parents with bathroom renovations. There were major leaks in the subfloors and the shower area…and there were moulds growing in between! I also decided not to go on a trip that was planned by my extended family - due to budget and myself being unemployed.
So, how's my job so far? It's too early to say. However, it is going so well. My teammates are really friendly and so easy to get along with. There are a few things that I didn't expect to happen since I didn't even ask for any special treatment. For example, I met with one of my human resources advisors 3 weeks ago to discuss the benefits and stuff. She informed me that she will organize a sign language workshop for my team members (without asking me first). The workshop will happen sometimes next week. And, they even offered to hook me up with a TTY phone. Unbelievable, eh?
Now...last Friday was certainly a day that is full of events at work. First I went out to lunch, and I ended up running into two guys who were my classmates whom I haven't seen them since April, I ended chatting with them for a while. Then, while I was waiting for an elevator, a guy from my floor asked me if I'm going to the Fall Freeze; it is for all staff party hosted at some restaurant at Eau Claire’s Market at 4:30pm. The purpose of this is to celebrate the beginning of drilling season. Anyway, it was my first time to see the dynamic of people working at EnCana- from their early 20s to mid-50s. I also found out that I'm the youngest person in my team, since that I talked with Chris who is an engineer. He said something like, "I'm only 24, and I was the youngest one until you joined our team!" haha.
Ok, I should get going as I have to do some reading before tomorrow's workshop at the Calgary Zoo. It should be fun though. With whatever you're doing right now: in school, work or in a different situation, I hope that you are doing well!
-Justine