What is the difference between a job and a career?

Having an income is an important step when building a new life in Canada. But having a job is not always the same as finding work that makes full use of someone’s education, skills, and experience. 

Many refugee newcomers arrive in Canada with valuable knowledge and professional experience, but rebuilding can take time. In order to make a living, some may find themselves working in positions that do not match their qualifications. A job can provide income and stability, but “meaningful employment” gives people the opportunity to use their existing skills, education, and experience, which is a chance to grow within their field of choice, also known as their career. 

While a job provides income, meaningful employment is work that better matches a person’s skills, experience, and career goals. That’s why at Jumpstart, we focus not only on helping refugees find jobs, but on finding meaningful employment. 

Statistics Canada data from the 2021 Census shows this gap. Among non-permanent residents, half of refugees were overqualified for their jobs, meaning they held a bachelor’s degree or higher yet work in an occupation that typically requires a high school diploma or less.

https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/BhWOZ/1/

These numbers show why the difference between finding a job and finding meaningful employment matters. 

For refugees and other newcomers, rebuilding a professional network, understanding the Canadian job market, and finding opportunities that recognize previous experience can all be part of re-establishing meaningful employment in Canada. 

At Jumpstart Refugee Talent, we are here to support refugees in connecting their talents with opportunities. Through employment support, mentorship, networking, and connections with employers, Jumpstart works to help refugees navigate the Canadian labour market to continue building their meaningful employment.