Name: Vineet Pinto | Company: Bell | Country: Canada
April 29, 2023: Any move, big or small, can be uncertain and daunting. More so if it means giving up a well-established career of over a decade to start afresh in a new country. Yet, that is exactly what Pune lad Vineet Pinto did when he made a career transition abroad by giving up his 10-year career in Dubai to move lock, stock, and barrel to Mississauga in Canada to start afresh. “It was daunting for sure. I had none of my business contacts that I had in Dubai. Yet, it was exciting to start life afresh in a cold country,” the 37-year-old customer experience coordinator at Bell Canada tells Global Indian.
Off to a new start
Having studied done his graduation in Computer Science from Pune University and then his MBA Marketing from Mumbai University, Vineet moved to Dubai in 2011 as an advertising and media consultant with Neosys Software. As he found his footing in the Middle East market and switched a few more jobs, he settled into a six-year stint with British American Tobacco as a Sales and Marketing Analyst. But, Vineet had an itchy foot. “Life at British American Tobacco in Dubai was brilliant. I was an information analyst helping the strategic planning and insights team improve business efficacy. But I wanted to work for an MNC in North America and Bell suited the bill. I left Dubai for Canada to experience life in the West and specifically in a cold country,” he smiles talking about his “career transition abroad” to Mississuagua..
“It was definitely daunting to have made this move. After all, I’d given up a stable and secure job in a country where I had several friends and business contacts to start all over again in a new country. But it was worth it,” he says, adding, “I love seeking out challenges and am pretty determined when it comes to reaching my goals.”
Talking about his role with Bell, Vineet says, “My role is pretty niche. I am responsible for CISCO renewals for my client, a prominent Canadian Bank. It gives me an opportunity to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures.” Talking about job hunting in Canada, Vineet says that it is “predominantly based on networking with individuals who can introduce you to new roles and companies. It is not easy to hunt for jobs in Canada without references. You must do your research on companies, appropriate resume formats, and skill requirements in the market. Besides, it’s time consuming, so patience is key.”
With his current job, Vineet has the option to work from home four days a week and go into the office once. “I typically work from 9 to 5, after which, I am free to pursue my hobbies and interests. Of late, I’ve been focusing on upskilling, specifically, certifications to get me into Data Analysis. So I’m doing courses like PYTHON, SQL, and TABLEAU,” says the Indian origin professional.
Wanderlust
who also loves to travel. “I’ve had the good fortune to travel to several new countries: Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Poland, Thailand, Czech Republic, Hungary, Norway, Finland, and Oman. Of these, I enjoyed explored Netherlands the most… the weather, the people were all great.”
Regardless of where he travels in the world, Vineet is pretty connected to his roots. “I go home to India at least once a year. And no matter where in the world I might be, I’ll always remain Indian. So I’m very aware of how I conduct myself,” he says, adding, “During my travels, I’ve come across all kinds of perceptions of Brand India. There are those who are pretty informed and think of India as a great nation that holds a lot of promise. Then there are the misinformed ones, who go by supposedly popular notions that India is chaotic and poor.”
Vineet’s story is a prime example of how embracing a “career transition abroad” can be a transformative experience, bringing with it unique challenges and opportunities for growth. It demonstrates the importance of adaptability, determination, and a willingness to step out of one’s comfort zone in order to achieve personal and professional goals. As Vineet continues to make strides in his new life in Canada, his journey serves as an inspiration for others considering a similar path.
Takeaways:
- Embrace uncertainty: Accept the challenges of relocating to Canada and be determined to grow personally and professionally.
- Network effectively: Build connections for job opportunities and navigate the Canadian job market.
- Research and adapt: Study companies, resume formats, and skill requirements for a successful job search.
- Upskill continuously: Pursue new skills and certifications to advance your career, like data analysis or programming languages.
- Maintain cultural connection: Stay connected to India, visit regularly, and represent your culture positively. Wherever you go, you are India’s Brand Ambassador.