Best
Bets for IT Professionals in Canada:
Resources to Help Jump-Start Your Job Search
By Sandra Lim
If you're an IT specialist searching for work in Canada, then look no further.
Check out the detailed compilation below of the best websites, training
programs, job boards, books, journals, newspaper articles, professional
associations, and resources for women—all aimed at IT professionals
seeking jobs in Canada.
PERIODICALS
Computing
Canada
The newspaper for information technology management.
Computerworld Careers
A periodical for students planning careers in information technology.
Today's Engineer, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Published four times a year, this American magazine will focus on developing the non-technical skills of the profession.
Computing, High-Tech & Telecommunications Careers Handbook, The
Marskell Group provides a unique insight into top employers of IT, high-tech
and telecommunications professionals including new graduates in Computing,
Software Engineering and related fields.
htc—Canada's HiTech Career Journal
A free monthly publication with information on emerging technologies and trends, industry reports, career profiles, book reviews, employment trends, and cross-country events. Also has lots of detailed job postings and company profiles.
HiTech Careers for the21st Century
Launched by Industry Canada and the information technology sector, this free magazine will help youth to plan their careers and find opportunities in the high-tech field.
Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine
This publication offers information on everything from finding training to conferences.
Silicon Valley North
Monthly technology-focused, community newspapers with separate online news pages for British Columbia, Alberta, Toronto, and Ottawa.
INTERESTING IT PROGRAMS
"Colorado State University and ITI Launch Master's Program to Tackle Shortage of Information Technology Educators"
A press release announcing the collaboration of Canada's Information Technology
Institute with Denver's Colorado State University to launch a program that
combines information technology with a master's degree in education.
Dalhousie-ITI MBA (IT) Program
Information Technology Institute/Dalhousie University
This program was developed to provide non-science graduates with practical hands-on IT experience combined with graduate-level business management education through an innovative curriculum that gives students the skills necessary to apply IT in a strategic business environment.
ITI Information Technology Institute
together with Seagate Software have introduced a new scholarship for
women aimed at increasing the number of women in British Colombia's
high-tech industry. It is worth the full tuition at ITI Vancouver.
Certified Internet Webmaster e-Commerce Program
Edmonton is the pilot site of a professional e-commerce course from General Physics Corp. (GP). The six-month course was developed in partnership with Grant McEwan College, with certification provided by ProSofttraining.com. The course is designed to help people with some IT background in Internet and e-commerce technologies to gain a solid understanding of the requirements and skills to start their own business.
"Centennial College unleashes first e-commerce grads," Toronto Computes! April 2000
Centennial College's E-Commerce Institute, a two-semester program, is the
first interdisciplinary comprehensive program of its kind available in Ontario.
The program, which claims to put business studies first, provides a "finishing
school" for college and university graduates who want to complement their
skills with intensive exposure to e-commerce principles and practices.
Conestoga
College's Technology Marketing Post Graduate Program
This new program is designed to give technology workers a better understanding of business and make them more qualified for potential promotions.
e-Studies.com Inc.
This site delivers high quality IT education online through a virtual learning environment, including diploma programs and other IT courses.
Women's Technology Institute
This is Toronto's first all-women training initiative, a not-for-profit education center dedicated to training women for careers in information technology. It was designed to address the many barriers women face in accessing training and employment in information technology. The Institute offers role modeling, mentoring, hands-on work experience, childcare, and financial assistance along with state of the art training for recognized industry and professional certifications.
Internet Commerce and Technology Institute, Seneca College
A newly established one-year e-commerce course, for which applicants must have a degree, managerial or supervisory experience and a familiarity with the Web. Those without Internet exposure can take a three-week orientation before the course starts.
The Education Program for Software Professionals, University of Waterloo
A part-time evening six-course program designed for the practicing IT professional to advance and secure their career.
CHOOSING IT TRAINING PROVIDERS
"New careers start with homework: Vocational schools help grads join IT wave if they study options before they pay fees," The Globe and Mail, March 11, 1999
An article outlining the considerations to be weighed when choosing a private IT school.
"To be able to skip those fly-by-night IT schools, students and employers have homework to do," Silicon Valley NORTH, February 2000
This article emphasizes the importance of researching the local IT educators and determining which ones have the best reputations, and provides pointers on what to look for.
"Technology training in the GTA," Toronto Computes! January 2000
A comprehensive listing of technology training facilities in Toronto and the surrounding area.
"Web makes long-distance learning an option for some,"
WE Compute, February 2000
An article that discusses online learning alternatives for IT training.
The One Guide: The Canadian Guide to the World of Information Technology, The Institute for Computer Studies, updated regularly
A simple to understand guide to the various IT specializations, certifications, and training options.
"Back to the books to learn ABCs of E-commerce: More schools add electronic commerce to curriculums" The Globe and Mail, September 24, 1999
An article describing various new graduate and post-diploma E-commerce programs in Canada.
"Become a certified IT expert," WE Compute, January 2000
This article provides a chart showing which training institutions in the
Toronto and Southern Ontario area offer A+, Cisco, CNA, DBA, MCP, MCSD,
MCSE, MOUS, Novell CIP, NT CP, and other certifications.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Canadian Association of Advanced Technology
A national trade association focusing on new economy enterprises.
Information Technology Association of Canada
ITAC is the voice of Canada's dynamic and rapidly growing information technology industry. Together with its partner organizations, ITAC represents more than 1,300 firms engaged in every sector of the computing and telecommunications industry, from hardware, software, and services to electronic content sectors. ITAC's mission is to identify and lead on issues that affect the industry and to advocate initiatives, which will enable its continued growth and development.
International Webmasters Association
IWA, a nonprofit professional association, is the industry's recognized
leader in providing educational and certification standards for Web professionals.
IWA's membership includes: webmasters, web site developers, graphic designers,
programmers, multimedia specialists, system administrators, educators, e-commerce
specialists, Intranet/Extranet specialists, and others who participate in
the development, monitoring and management of websites. The association
endorses the Certified Internet Webmaster designation establishing an individual
as an expert in Internet technologies.
Association of Internet Professionals
This association of Internet professionals is the largest and fastest-growing professional society in the industry, boasting a membership of more than 8,000 professionals and 75 major companies worldwide. The AIP exists to unify, support and represent the global community of Internet professionals. The organization also serves as a forum for the ideas, people and issues shaping the future of the Internet industry. It also endorses the Certified Internet Webmaster designation.
Canadian Information Processing Society
The voice and champion of the Canadian IT profession, CIPS offers certification as an Information Systems Professional of Canada (I.S.P.), networking opportunities, and facilitates professional development through seminars, conferences, courses and special interest groups to help members keep their skills up-to-date.
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.,
This organization offers opportunities for technical and professional learning and networking through publications and conferences.
Project Management Institute (PMIĻ)
With over 55,000 members worldwide, PMI the leading nonprofit professional association in the area of project management. PMI establishes project management standards, provides seminars, educational programs and professional certification that more and more organizations desire for their project leaders. PMI also offers the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK) Certification.
The Association of Web Professionals (AWP)
AWP is an international not-for-profit association that is working on increasing the levels of competency and professionalism in the industry. The AWP offers three certifications: Certified Web Technician, Certified Web Designer, and Certified Web Manager.
Multimedia Arts and Technologies Association (IMAT)
This organization promotes the growth of new media in Canada and the creation of a national voice for the industry. Links on this site includes a searchable database of members, information on trade shows, networking events, special interest groups, and up-to-date information on the industry. Also has links to other technically related organizations.
Wired Woman Society
A society dedicated to the growth and development of women in IT. Information includes employment opportunities, meeting dates across Canada, career-related information, lists of Canadian IT training institutes and providers, and other IT resources and links. Has chapters in Vancouver, Toronto, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Calgary, and the Atlantic Provinces.
Webgrrls International
Webgrrls International provides a forum for women in or interested in new media and technology to network, exchange job and business leads, form strategic alliances, mentor and teach, intern and learn the skills to help women succeed in an increasingly technical workplace and world.
Society of Internet Professionals
This organization is working on setting up a certification program and a training center for courses leading to certification. Has a link to web based training. Currently, there are chapters in both Toronto and Ottawa.
JOB SEARCH
"Working with a technical agency: Ten tips from an IT recruiter"
The Computer Paper, September 1999.
In this article, a technical recruiter in the IT sector advises candidates on their job search strategies.
Electronic Resumes & Online Networking
by Rebecca Smith, (Career Press), 1999
This book helps job seekers master the Internet as an effective resume and networking tools.
Career Advancement and Survival for Engineers
by John A. Hoschette (John Wiley & Sons), 1994
The job search guide just for engineers, written by an engineer with first-hand experience.
Ace the Technical Interview
by Michael Rothstein, (McGraw-Hill) 1999
This book provides a crash course for computer professionals on winning your next technical interview and getting the job they want. This edition includes brand-new data on Year 2000 (Y2K) jobs, plus full updated information on COBOL, Project Manager, AS/400, Quality Control Testing, Y2K Methodology, C/S Systems, CICS, IDMS, Java, Visual Basic, Delphi, Power Builder, Oracle, MVS, UNIX, RS/6000, Sybase, DB2, and other areas of expertise.
"Interview
with an IT Recruiter"
A staffing consultant explains the importance of soft skills, how job seekers can make themselves more marketable, and the best skills to have in 2000.
"Web
recruiting takes off"
This online article details the shift from companies using recruiters to find IT workers to recruiting through IT-specific job sites.
The Programmer's Job Handbook by Gene Wang (McGraw-Hill),
1995
This book for programmers and software developers covers topics as where the best jobs are, who pays the most, and what skills are going to be in the greatest demand. It also discusses building the perfect resume and having a great interview.
"Six degrees to a job," Best Places to Work in HiTech, September 1999
This article describes the importance of networking for IT job seekers.
"How to avoid years of workplace grief," Best Places to Work in HiTech, September 1999
This article gives tips on what IT job seekers should look out for in assessing a potential employer for appropriate fit.
Canadian
Technology Fast 50, Deloitte & Touche
The annual Canadian Technology Fast 50 ranks the 50 fastest-growing Canadian high tech companies based on rate of revenue growth over the last five years.
Canada IT
This site has over 1,000 profiles of Canadian IT companies and service providers, job postings, calendars of IT-related events and shows, as well as links to associations and company directories.
"Risk
& Reward: Life at a Start-up"
This article outlines points to consider before leaving a job at a traditional company for a start-up.
"Dot-com companies need a special breed"
Toronto Star Careers Section, April 8, 2000
Although this article does not focus on IT professionals, it gives an overview of the differences to be prepared for when moving from working for a traditional company to a start-up, and how to evaluate your suitability for such a move.
"Traditional
IT Professionals Make their Leap to the Web"
This online article offers advice for making the transition to the Web.
"B.C. funds co-op program," The Globe and Mail
The B.C. government will spend $2.5 million over 3 years to help university
students obtain job experience in the high-tech industry through co-op placements
province-wide.
IT JOB BOARDS
BC Technology
A leading source for high-tech jobs in British Columbia
Career Exchange
Specializes in providing employment services to the high-tech industry
Computer Horizons ISG
Specialists in the provision of I.T. professionals for both permanent and contract assignments for client organizations
Computer Work
Job postings and resume bank for IT professionals
Dice
Job search web site for computer professionals
IMI Ward Associates
A firm with more than twenty years' experience in permanent IT staffing
Job Universe
Canadian job search web site for IT professionals
MEDA Group
Has listings of a variety of technical jobs including IT
Torontojobs.com
Information Technology staffing, including creative, technical, and administrative positions
HIGH-TECH CAREER FAIRS
1-Jobs.com
1-Jobs.com lists tens of thousands of IT jobs and features one of the biggest and best high tech job databases. Tens of thousands of jobs are advertised here annually by thousands of exhibitors in the 100 High Tech Career Fairs produced by NetWORK Events and 1-Jobs.com.
BrassRing
A new online and offline career resource dedicated to helping high-tech professionals manage their careers, including regular career fairs for computer and engineering professionals with a minimum of 2 years of technical experience.
FOREIGN TRAINED IT PROFESSIONALS
Mentorship Program for Foreign Trained IT Professionals, delivered
through The Centre for Advancement
in Work & Living in partnership with Skills
for Change.
Free LINC Class for IT Professionals, Woodgreen Community Centre
Landed immigrants and convention refugees can learn how to pronounce and comprehend the many expressions and idioms used in business—specifically information technology—that they will need in the Canadian IT workplace.
Newcomer Opportunities for Work (NOW)
The experience program focuses on giving newcomers Canadian work experience in their chosen field, including an unpaid work placement. The program, started in June 1999, is funded by HRDC in partnership with the Toronto District Board of Education, and has seen a fair number of IT professionals go through it.
About Sandra Lim
Sandra Lim is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW) and the first Canadian to earn the Credentialed Career Master (CCM) designation. Through her company, A Better Impression, she provides clients with résumé and career counseling services to help them create a better impression.
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