Over 12 years ago, I worked three different minimum wage jobs that I had no prior experience in back-to-back. I worked at a call center. Then at a grocery store running night shifts. I soon followed that up very quickly with an evening one at the Calgary International Airport unloading cargo planes. All in a bid to make ends meet and care for my family that I had obviously let down. I talked about it in this TEDx Talk.
You know the unfortunate thing? The jobs that I had amazing experience, skills, training in - and which gave me access to Canada, I couldn’t access them. What an irony!
This isn't just my story. It's the story of thousands of skilled immigrants who arrive in Canada each year, carrying degrees in their suitcases and dreams in their hearts. They come seeking not just opportunity, but a chance to continue the careers they've spent years building. Yet for many, that dream quickly collides with an unexpected reality.
The Hidden Cost of Starting Over
Picture this: You're standing in your new Canadian apartment, your credentials hanging on the wall. The same credentials that once opened doors now seem to carry as much weight as the paper they're printed on. If you’re lucky, your phone buzzes with yet another rejection email: "We're sorry,.…" Otherwise, it’s crickets and so you become desperate.
The challenges skilled immigrants face go beyond mere inconvenience:
Your years of expertise are suddenly questioned, not because they're invalid, but because they're unfamiliar.
Your savings dwindle as you take jobs well below your skill level just to keep food on the table.
Your children watch as you struggle, and you wonder if you've made the right choice for their future.
Your professional identity, built over decades, feels like it's slipping away with each passing month
The struggle for identity and meaning while facing these challenges is mentally exhausting and can mess with your confidence in a way you never expect.
Fortunately, Two Things Moved the Needle for Me
I took a training using a $2,008 loan from Windmill Microlending which helped to bump my confidence back right up!
I joined a program that helped secure job interviews for economic immigrants like myself. A few months into the program, an organization took interest in me courtesy of the mentoring program.
For me, I was in tech and it was relatively easy because I already had the required background. What if your work experience and training are not in tech? I mean, what if you are a lawyer, an engineer, a teacher, a pharmacist, an artist or even a doctor? Anything but IT background?
Instead of losing your currency of practice while pushing to integrate into the Canadian ecosystem, why not consider pivoting into a tech role? I mean it. I did the same although I pivoted into IT while still in Nigeria. I studied Biochemistry but I decided to move on. You can do the same. There are tons of people who have done the same here in Canada. I have met them. I even have a close friend who did the same. She was a lawyer but she took the necessary trainings and moved into an analyst role - in tech - without the lies. Then she started consulting and today, she is a successful Senior Project Manager. In fact, I have personally trained people with zero tech experience who over time became very successful Business Analysts. It’s no quick fix but it can be rewarding if you have the right training, do the hard work and keep at it. Tech is a more viable alternative for you.
Why Tech? Why Now?
In the midst of this struggle, the technology sector stands as a beacon of hope. It's an industry that speaks the universal language of innovation, where your ability to learn and adapt often matters more than where you earned your degree or what degree you earned. I know that what you’re experiencing may not be within your control but there is something you can choose - what to do next.
Don’t Get Me Wrong, I Understand Your Concerns
Fear of Losing Prior Investment in Education and Career: You spent years building your expertise. Letting go of that feels like abandoning your identity.
The Financial Trap: You're caught in a painful cycle: You need training to get a better job, but you need a better job to afford the tuition, the tools and time away from work. Traditional banks see you as a risk, and credit card debt could sink you before you even begin.
Uncertainty About Success in a New Career: The fear of “What if it doesn’t work out?” can stop even the boldest dreams in their tracks!
Among these, the financial barrier looms largest. Traditional lenders like banks often hesitate to lend to newcomers with low income or limited credit history, viewing them as risky borrowers. Without access to affordable financing, many immigrants are left stuck in survival mode, unable to invest in themselves or their futures.
The Solution: SkillHat’s Tech Programs and Windmill Microlending Partnership
If you’re ready, SkillHat now offers a lifeline. With courses like the Product Management Program that guarantees a product management interview or your money back, SkillHat removes much of the uncertainty. The program equips you with the skills, guidance, and confidence to break into one of the most in-demand fields today. According to talent.com you could be earning $100,000 per annum as a beginner in Canada. See their chart below:
But What About the Financial Barrier?
This is where SkillHat’s partnership with Windmill Microlending changes the game. Together, they’re providing loans of up to $15,000 to people like you. Imagine:
A training like Product Management that guarantees you an interview, or your money back.
A loan of up to $15,000 that you don't start repaying until after your training. The Windmill Microlending partnership eliminates the financial strain, letting you focus on learning without worrying about immediate repayment.
Interest rates that make sense for someone starting over.
A curriculum designed for people like you, who are balancing multiple responsibilities.
SkillHat’s structured courses, industry connections, and proven track record of student success reduce the fear of the unknown.
With SkillHat, you can access hands-on training, mentorship and industry network.
This is more than just a training program - it’s a bridge to a better future.
Your Next Chapter Starts Here
Remember why you came to Canada in the first place? It wasn't just for a job—it was for a future. A future where your skills are valued, where your children see what's possible, where you can contribute to your new home country in meaningful ways.
That future is still within reach. Your experience, your determination, your dreams—they matter. The barriers holding you back today don’t have to define your journey. And with SkillHat and Windmill Microlending, you finally have the support system to make them reality.
Take the first step today. Click here to apply now and begin writing the next chapter of your story. Your skills, determination, and dreams deserve this chance.
Because the question isn't whether you're capable of this transformation—it's whether you're ready to begin. Start Now.
Note: Neither Dapo Bankole, SkillHat, Windmill Microlending, nor Mopheth Systems guarantee any specific income outcomes. Please conduct your independent research and make informed decisions.