She didn't last long I see!

I just want to quickly update my trials and the importance of the hiring seasons. After I returned from Eastern Europe and Montreal in early October, I found myself in an awkward position. I assumed I would get my next job easily and even toyed with the idea of going on another vacation if the start date a few weeks or more in the future. That was not the case. It turned out that I had just missed the September hiring season in a big way. At first I just applied to a handful of companies that did Ft. Mac work in the trade I was indentured in, including my old company. A couple weeks later (with constant calling of the HR reps leading nowhere), I started ramping it up, going all the way to applying to almost 30 companies that hired my trade in Ft. Mac. I applied in person to multiple locations, spanning Calgary, Edmonton, and Ft. Mac. With some companies I applied to the different headquarters in different cities and was actually recognized by some people from a prior location. Note: as I got further along, I would even ask for labour positions to get my foot in the door, but to no avail.

Around Halloween I was getting desperate and was even considering switching trades. In one of my last calls to this one HR rep I just flat out asked if I had just missed the boat by a couple weeks and he said yes, I probably would have had something if I had applied in September. I then asked scotian for advice and he gave me some good options, though cautioned and confirmed that there wasn't much hiring going on at the time. I decided to pursue those alternative trade options and then close to the end of November, almost 2 months after starting my search, I finally landed a job in a different trade. I was actually planning on driving to Nisku to apply for leasehand rig jobs the following day.

I just wanted to put this out there that timing is a big part of coming out here. I still don’t have the best picture of when the hiring seasons are or when it is best to apply (I think scotian might have said February and September were the big months). It would be cool if scotian could clarify that a bit. Though even when I first got out here my first job didn't start until 5 weeks later. Make sure you guys are prepared with cash to wait a bit. Irishman put out good pointers about finding temp jobs via Kijiji until he got what he wanted. There is gravy out here, just be sure to get some when it's ready.

Edit: scotian spelled it out a few pages ago.

(12-03-2013 11:35 AM)scotian Wrote:  This is why I've said from the beginning of this thread, if you want to work in the oil sands, move to Alberta in March/April or August/September because if you move out after October or before March, you may find yourself sitting on your ass or working a job that you don't want to be doing.

Also Zeus is one hell of a forum member and deserves major props for helping me out with ledes and etc.

VVVVVVVV Of course, although I know even with zero experience I would have at least gotten something shortly if I had applied in September.

Ferro does it have to do with the level of experience as well? I don't know if you're a first year, but I found a lot of jobs were looking to hire 2nd years and above. That's why I'm waiting to get some school under my belt, hit 2nd year, then do some travel.

NFallin,

there are more opportunities for the experienced apprentice (2nd, 3rd and 4th yr) but its not harder.

there are most definitely hiring seasons. Sept Oct Nov. is one season in my trade (and most generic trades) and Jan Feb March.

for ex. i just finished my 1st yr school. 2 months, Nov and Dec. i called around to line something up for the new yr and everyone said call back 1st week in Jan. Everyone shuts down Dec 6th for a nice month long break. And as a 2nd period apprentice, I'm wanted because i have experience and I'm cheap.

everything after March starts to slow down because most hiring has been done, spring break starts (breakup meaning everything thaws and its gets muddy) companies have spent their money on projects, summer is coming (meaning stampede) oil is in less demand the list goes on.

Scotian has said before, the patch has been in a slump the last few years but it is picking up and will go gangbusters soon. (and a slump in the patch is still full steam. don't think that means the same as in 'normal' parts of the country)

so pick your time wisely.

Does anyone have footwear recommendations for working scaffold? Finally have a good "in" with a crew working in Alberta doing scaffold! Terra workboots look solid. They need to be insulated and allow for climbing. Thanks to the many contributors here. Cheers!

(12-23-2013 12:13 AM)payne Wrote:  Does anyone have footwear recommendations for working scaffold? Finally have a good "in" with a crew working in Alberta doing scaffold! Terra workboots look solid. They need to be insulated and allow for climbing. Thanks to the many contributors here. Cheers!

Dakotas from Marks have done me well.. bought the cheapest pair they had and they didn't agree with my feet, moved up to a pair that was about $40 more and they are perfect. Decently warm and lots of grip.. they offer a 'winter' steel toe as well..

MARRY CHRISTMAS to all members who do celebrate it and HAPPY NEW YEAR to everybody

(12-23-2013 12:13 AM)payne Wrote:  Does anyone have footwear recommendations for working scaffold? Finally have a good "in" with a crew working in Alberta doing scaffold! Terra workboots look solid. They need to be insulated and allow for climbing. Thanks to the many contributors here. Cheers!

There's tons of option, I have three different pairs of work boots:

-The standard kind which I use most of the year, Dakota Tarantuals, (about $150)

- pair of Dunlop steel toed rubbers for pipeline work (about $250)

-A pair of Dakota "Rig Master" boots for very cold weather (about $250)

As a scaffolder you won't want really heavy boots like the last two I listed as you'll be crawling around a lot, you should be able to get away with a standard pair but get them a size bigger and buy some warm thermal socks.

hey guys just a quick post and hello ,i 've been following this website for a while particular this forum, and I think its great it like a group of brothers or best friends looking out for each other, particular like posts from scotian, vancier placement and Irishman, hopefully looking forward to getting involved in some good discussion over the next few months.

Hey guys I came across this gold mine of information and tips awhile ago and just now could sign up. Thanks for everyone contributing.

Just wondering if any guys had experience getting into pipefitting or welding? I see tons of ads going up all over alberta for journeymen but none for new aprenticeships. Besides going into the union hall is there any other way to get into it? I already have citzenship, currently into toronto ready to make the move as I'm sick of my current situation here. Any tips would be great, thanks

Hey guys,

To start off I'd like to give a big shout out to Scotian and everyone else who has contributed to this thread! There is a lot of valuable information to be found within these pages and I suggest anyone who is new to this thread go back and do a full read through as I have. I sincerely wouldn't have seriously considered making the move to Alberta without all the info and help here.

Back Story:

I'm from Hamilton, Ontario (absolute shit hole town.) and graduated from high school in June. I saved as much as I could from the time of my graduation to my 18th birthday in preparation for the move. I turned 18 on Nov. 27th and was in Edmonton by Dec. 3. I saved about $5500 and had a good amount of warm clothes prepped ready to venture out into the -40 weather.. I took a job doing snow removal for $15 an hour and used this to help pay for my safety tickets and all expenses (I have a friend to stay with in Ed and was able to live rent free for this first month fortunately.) The tickets I got were H2S Alive, HCP CPR & Standard First Aid, OSSA Fall Protection, CSTS 09 and OSSA Orientation. From what I've seen these are the most relatively important and the others are more site/job specific.

I spent countless hours on job posting sites and boards, researching companies and cold calling, trying to find a job in electrical work (no experience.) I yellowpage searched for electrical contractors and went down the list calling each one asking if they hire start-up apprentices. This actually helped a lot with interview skills and allowed me to create contacts as even the electricians that weren't hiring would give me numbers to call of colleagues and friends which is the best way to get hired usually. Ironically enough I got a break with a friend who's brother-in-law is an electrician. Just by calling the company he works for and dropping his name, they called me and I started work on the 16th. The only question they asked when they called to send me up to camp was "Can you pass a drug test?" Lol... Within 3 hours of the call, they picked me up and I was up north, 45 mins from The Big Dirty at a nice camp called Kinosis.

Within a week or 2 they are going to be indenturing me as a first year electrician - $22 per/hr wage, 84 hour week, overtime after 8 hours, overtime saturday and sunday. All this WITHIN 2 WEEKS of arrival, in the supposed "slow period" for work. I was making $13 an hour in Hamilton and my friends were all jealous.... Now, I may have had a lucky break with a contact, but there is tons of work out here which you already know and as long as you are sociable you can make friends and find a job relatively easily. Trust me, if you have nothing holding you back, especially if you live within Canada make the move out here and bank some money so you can pursue your actual dreams. Unless you like the work, which I don't mind at all, more power to you!

Anyways just thought I would share a little bit of information for my adventure out here so far and will keep you all updated, if you have questions feel free to ask. Thanks again Scotian and everyone else who has contributed here, I probably wouldn't be in Alberta without you. Take it from me, a greenhand newly 18 year old with a dream, anything is possible if you work hard for it. It is literally as easy as posting on Kijiji your credentials, you will find a job out here. I was making a call to a company on the Greyhound a day before I arrived in Ed and started doing the snow removal a day after arrival. If you want it enough, and you are motivated, it will happen. Lying on your resume a bit doesn't hurt either haha... Best of luck to you guys! And don't make fun of me for my screen name, I just like the Dixie Chicks.... lmao.

P.S, I don't have a car or plan to get one, you can still find work without

Hey guys
I'd also like to give Scotian a quick thanks for putting up this thread, and raising awareness about the oil boom that's going on in Alberta right now.

I have a question though, regarding my career path.
I'm currently studying electrical engineering here in montreal, however after reading this thread, I really feel like working in the oil industry right now, and taking advantage of the high salaries and travel opportunities that comes with it.

Do you guys think it would be a good idea to switch from electrical, to mining engineering, since it's a bit more in demand than electrical over there? by doing this switch, I will be graduating in 3 years, instead of 2, so I'm still debating whether or not it's worth it.
I'm currently 22

That's great to hear Travelling Soldier! Way to go man!
I agree with you that Hamilton is a world class shit hole, I was there in September for a week and couldn't wait to get out fast enough! Congrats bud!

Hervens,
I wouldn't waste any more time in Montreal. I'd do what Traveling Soldier did and move to Edmonton, do exactly what he did to get started with an electrical company. If you really want to complete that degree, do it at NAIT or SAIT in AB, not in Quebec.

The sooner you get to AB, the better it is for. Since you're from Montreal, the extreme cold won't be a major challenge for you as you're used to it.

Good luck man! And happy new years to all the hard working, ambitious brothers in here that are making things happen in the oil sands or are about to make the move!

Cheers.

(01-04-2014 02:44 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  That's great to hear Travelling Soldier! Way to go man!
I agree with you that Hamilton is a world class shit hole, I was there in September for a week and couldn't wait to get out fast enough! Congrats bud!

Hervens,
I wouldn't waste any more time in Montreal. I'd do what Traveling Soldier did and move to Edmonton, do exactly what he did to get started with an electrical company.

Cheers.

Thanks Vacancier! Yup, did you see Barton street? That's the haven for crackhead prostitutes and degenerates. Luckily for me, my last job working for the city, I had the pleasure of spending most of my days there. Enjoying the sights and smells regulary!

Hervens,

I'm not someone far in my life or career, so you can take my advice if you want to, or don't. But honestly, do whatever you feel is necessary to follow through with your desired path in life. If you have no desire to form a lengthy career that you will most likely get stuck in mentally, (especially after years of schooling) leave now. As Vacancier described the opportunities are better out here, you are better off doing something shorter and starting work ASAP. Real employment experience always trumps education anyways. If you are looking for something long term, stick with the degree, finish it and then come out. If it is truly what you enjoy doing, there is no reason why you should second guess your decisions. If you are looking for a means to an end, you have to formulate a plot that is going to fulfill your monetary requirements and life experience in the fastest (or most practical way possible.) It all comes down to your ethics and goals, no amount of advice anyone gives you will make the decision. You have to consciously understand what you want out of life, even if disastrously broad, you will know the person you want to become. Your path can change along the way, but don't go with any path because someone told you to. In the end, the decision is up to you and how you feel the path you take will be most beneficial to the future.

"Better to have a short life that is full of what you like doing, than a long life spent in a miserable way.” – Alan Watts

P.S - how do you change your signature?

And sorry to hervens if I got off track and totally evaded your question. I just don't like seeing people falling into the rat race and chasing dreams simply because of what they heard. I mean, if you are going to do something, do it because you want to. Don't let money influence you. Unless you are coming out here strictly for monetary gain, then find the fast track and go towards the coin. Get as much as you can and get out.

Maybe I'm speaking gibberish... haven't written in a while.

(01-04-2014 05:44 PM)TravellingSoldier Wrote:  And sorry to hervens if I got off track and totally evaded your question. I just don't like seeing people falling into the rat race and chasing dreams simply because of what they heard. I mean, if you are going to do something, do it because you want to. Don't let money influence you. Unless you are coming out here strictly for monetary gain, then find the fast track and go towards the coin. Get as much as you can and get out.

Maybe I'm speaking gibberish... haven't written in a while.

Thanks a lot for the advice.
Although this thread did influence my decision quite a bit, switching to mining engineering and moving to Alberta is also something I want to do myself.
I'm currently working part time in an office downtown montreal doing IT/programming stuff and it doesn't feel quite right, and I feel like something's missing.

When I think mining engineering, and oil sands, I think travel opportunities, field work, excitement, doing something different everyday, not having to sit in an office 40h/week, solving interesting problems, working with like-minded people and of course, lots of money.

I'm going to see what type of internship opportunities they have over at fort mcMurray and see if I can start my journey there.

Hopefully, I made the right decision.

(01-04-2014 06:20 PM)hervens Wrote:  

(01-04-2014 05:44 PM)TravellingSoldier Wrote:  And sorry to hervens if I got off track and totally evaded your question. I just don't like seeing people falling into the rat race and chasing dreams simply because of what they heard. I mean, if you are going to do something, do it because you want to. Don't let money influence you. Unless you are coming out here strictly for monetary gain, then find the fast track and go towards the coin. Get as much as you can and get out.

Maybe I'm speaking gibberish... haven't written in a while.

Thanks a lot for the advice.
Although this thread did influence my decision quite a bit, switching to mining engineering and moving to Alberta is also something I want to do myself.
I'm currently working part time in an office downtown montreal doing IT/programming stuff and it doesn't feel quite right, and I feel like something's missing.

When I think mining engineering, and oil sands, I think travel opportunities, field work, excitement, doing something different everyday, not having to sit in an office 40h/week, solving interesting problems, working with like-minded people and of course, lots of money.

I'm going to see what type of internship opportunities they have over at fort mcMurray and see if I can start my journey there.

Hopefully, I made the right decision.

It's okay man, most people don't know what they want. You don't know what works for you until you try it, so if you feel strongly about pursuing this, go for it as hard as you can. The most important part about any dream is working towards it, creating goals for yourself and actually following through with a plan of action. The difference between dreams and goals: desire and theorizing vs a plan and follow through.

All of that 9-5 bullshit is not for me either, and I decided that when I was about 14 lol. So I totally understand where you're coming from and wish you the best of luck with whatever you do. Like I said, just make sure, whatever you do, you go into it head on with as much passion and energy as you can. Regardless, you will succeed. Even if you fail to learn, you will learn to fail. Cheers!!

TS

Hey guys, I'm looking for a specific bit of advice. I'm a recent college grad, currently working for a consulting company in Chicago & Cleveland in a program management capacity, albeit with this being an entry level position I'm really doing jackshit. The point is, I've lived in China until recently and am desperate to go back, but with the job market what it is and little experience under my belt yet, I'm reluctant to just quit my current job and make a jump into the unknown. After hearing all the good things about the oil sands and the oil industry in general, I'm thinking of setting myself up in a position where if must come back from Asia and can't find a job in business/consulting, I can make money in the medium term and land on my feet financially.

So with that said, I've been thinking of learning a trade in my free time while I'm still here in the US so that I have something to bring to the table. I have tentatively planned to return to China around June/July, thus I've got one semester at a city college or trade school to get some exposure to a trade/skill. I'm an outdoors kinda guy, so if anything, having to choose between working in a semi-isolated midstream shithole vs a totally isolated upstream shithole, I'd much prefer the upstream route. What trade would you guys suggest would be a good fit, given the limited time I have to learn and the fact I'd prefer to work upstream?

Close to a 2000km drive yesterday between jobs with a 2hr nap in between. Best pay day so far though!

(01-03-2014 11:01 PM)TravellingSoldier Wrote:  Hey guys,

To start off I'd like to give a big shout out to Scotian and everyone else who has contributed to this thread! There is a lot of valuable information to be found within these pages and I suggest anyone who is new to this thread go back and do a full read through as I have. I sincerely wouldn't have seriously considered making the move to Alberta without all the info and help here.

Back Story:

I'm from Hamilton, Ontario (absolute shit hole town.) and graduated from high school in June. I saved as much as I could from the time of my graduation to my 18th birthday in preparation for the move. I turned 18 on Nov. 27th and was in Edmonton by Dec. 3. I saved about $5500 and had a good amount of warm clothes prepped ready to venture out into the -40 weather.. I took a job doing snow removal for $15 an hour and used this to help pay for my safety tickets and all expenses (I have a friend to stay with in Ed and was able to live rent free for this first month fortunately.) The tickets I got were H2S Alive, HCP CPR & Standard First Aid, OSSA Fall Protection, CSTS 09 and OSSA Orientation. From what I've seen these are the most relatively important and the others are more site/job specific.

I spent countless hours on job posting sites and boards, researching companies and cold calling, trying to find a job in electrical work (no experience.) I yellowpage searched for electrical contractors and went down the list calling each one asking if they hire start-up apprentices. This actually helped a lot with interview skills and allowed me to create contacts as even the electricians that weren't hiring would give me numbers to call of colleagues and friends which is the best way to get hired usually. Ironically enough I got a break with a friend who's brother-in-law is an electrician. Just by calling the company he works for and dropping his name, they called me and I started work on the 16th. The only question they asked when they called to send me up to camp was "Can you pass a drug test?" Lol... Within 3 hours of the call, they picked me up and I was up north, 45 mins from The Big Dirty at a nice camp called Kinosis.

Within a week or 2 they are going to be indenturing me as a first year electrician - $22 per/hr wage, 84 hour week, overtime after 8 hours, overtime saturday and sunday. All this WITHIN 2 WEEKS of arrival, in the supposed "slow period" for work. I was making $13 an hour in Hamilton and my friends were all jealous.... Now, I may have had a lucky break with a contact, but there is tons of work out here which you already know and as long as you are sociable you can make friends and find a job relatively easily. Trust me, if you have nothing holding you back, especially if you live within Canada make the move out here and bank some money so you can pursue your actual dreams. Unless you like the work, which I don't mind at all, more power to you!

Anyways just thought I would share a little bit of information for my adventure out here so far and will keep you all updated, if you have questions feel free to ask. Thanks again Scotian and everyone else who has contributed here, I probably wouldn't be in Alberta without you. Take it from me, a greenhand newly 18 year old with a dream, anything is possible if you work hard for it. It is literally as easy as posting on Kijiji your credentials, you will find a job out here. I was making a call to a company on the Greyhound a day before I arrived in Ed and started doing the snow removal a day after arrival. If you want it enough, and you are motivated, it will happen. Lying on your resume a bit doesn't hurt either haha... Best of luck to you guys! And don't make fun of me for my screen name, I just like the Dixie Chicks.... lmao.

P.S, I don't have a car or plan to get one, you can still find work without

Wow your story is very motivative. I already had a plan of making the trip to edmonton and this pretty much seals the deal on that plan. Thank you for sharing your experience. I practically have the same plan as you and am going to have the same tickets as well. Its a waiting game now for me. I'd rather take the trip either march or april, cause i need to save up and i do not want to deal with that winter just yet. Very informative thread, thank you to everyone who contributed. It takes awhile to read but you wont regret it for sure.

(01-05-2014 03:59 AM)Irishman Wrote:  Close to a 2000km drive yesterday between jobs with a 2hr nap in between. Best pay day so far though!

Isn't it amazing when you get paid for travel time! Haha

(01-05-2014 04:12 AM)energyy Wrote:  

(01-03-2014 11:01 PM)TravellingSoldier Wrote:  Hey guys,

To start off I'd like to give a big shout out to Scotian and everyone else who has contributed to this thread! There is a lot of valuable information to be found within these pages and I suggest anyone who is new to this thread go back and do a full read through as I have. I sincerely wouldn't have seriously considered making the move to Alberta without all the info and help here.

Back Story:

I'm from Hamilton, Ontario (absolute shit hole town.) and graduated from high school in June. I saved as much as I could from the time of my graduation to my 18th birthday in preparation for the move. I turned 18 on Nov. 27th and was in Edmonton by Dec. 3. I saved about $5500 and had a good amount of warm clothes prepped ready to venture out into the -40 weather.. I took a job doing snow removal for $15 an hour and used this to help pay for my safety tickets and all expenses (I have a friend to stay with in Ed and was able to live rent free for this first month fortunately.) The tickets I got were H2S Alive, HCP CPR & Standard First Aid, OSSA Fall Protection, CSTS 09 and OSSA Orientation. From what I've seen these are the most relatively important and the others are more site/job specific.

I spent countless hours on job posting sites and boards, researching companies and cold calling, trying to find a job in electrical work (no experience.) I yellowpage searched for electrical contractors and went down the list calling each one asking if they hire start-up apprentices. This actually helped a lot with interview skills and allowed me to create contacts as even the electricians that weren't hiring would give me numbers to call of colleagues and friends which is the best way to get hired usually. Ironically enough I got a break with a friend who's brother-in-law is an electrician. Just by calling the company he works for and dropping his name, they called me and I started work on the 16th. The only question they asked when they called to send me up to camp was "Can you pass a drug test?" Lol... Within 3 hours of the call, they picked me up and I was up north, 45 mins from The Big Dirty at a nice camp called Kinosis.

Within a week or 2 they are going to be indenturing me as a first year electrician - $22 per/hr wage, 84 hour week, overtime after 8 hours, overtime saturday and sunday. All this WITHIN 2 WEEKS of arrival, in the supposed "slow period" for work. I was making $13 an hour in Hamilton and my friends were all jealous.... Now, I may have had a lucky break with a contact, but there is tons of work out here which you already know and as long as you are sociable you can make friends and find a job relatively easily. Trust me, if you have nothing holding you back, especially if you live within Canada make the move out here and bank some money so you can pursue your actual dreams. Unless you like the work, which I don't mind at all, more power to you!

Anyways just thought I would share a little bit of information for my adventure out here so far and will keep you all updated, if you have questions feel free to ask. Thanks again Scotian and everyone else who has contributed here, I probably wouldn't be in Alberta without you. Take it from me, a greenhand newly 18 year old with a dream, anything is possible if you work hard for it. It is literally as easy as posting on Kijiji your credentials, you will find a job out here. I was making a call to a company on the Greyhound a day before I arrived in Ed and started doing the snow removal a day after arrival. If you want it enough, and you are motivated, it will happen. Lying on your resume a bit doesn't hurt either haha... Best of luck to you guys! And don't make fun of me for my screen name, I just like the Dixie Chicks.... lmao.

P.S, I don't have a car or plan to get one, you can still find work without

Wow your story is very motivative. I already had a plan of making the trip to edmonton and this pretty much seals the deal on that plan. Thank you for sharing your experience. I practically have the same plan as you and am going to have the same tickets as well. Its a waiting game now for me. I'd rather take the trip either march or april, cause i need to save up and i do not want to deal with that winter just yet. Very informative thread, thank you to everyone who contributed. It takes awhile to read but you wont regret it for sure.

No problem man, if you have questions about places to get your tickets and hostels/finding a place just ask What part of Canada are you from? I'm from Ontario and tbh it isn't as bad out here as everyone says. It's not a humid cold so it doesn't "stick to your bones" so to speak. It's just worse if you have exposed skin/improper gloves and boots. So as long as you dress warm, wear a balaclava and good boots and gloves, you'll be good.

I havent read the thread in a while and reading about all the people making the move is great. Especially Traveling soldier, im 19 and to hear someone young goin out there and making it is fuckin awesome.

I'm still saving that Do Re Mi

Anyone on here do heating and air conditioning refrigeration or combustion or know anyone that does? I was wondering how the work was for them in the sands? Or would that be more of a city job where your at home every night

(01-04-2014 02:28 PM)hervens Wrote:  Hey guys
I'd also like to give Scotian a quick thanks for putting up this thread, and raising awareness about the oil boom that's going on in Alberta right now.

I have a question though, regarding my career path.
I'm currently studying electrical engineering here in montreal, however after reading this thread, I really feel like working in the oil industry right now, and taking advantage of the high salaries and travel opportunities that comes with it.

Do you guys think it would be a good idea to switch from electrical, to mining engineering, since it's a bit more in demand than electrical over there? by doing this switch, I will be graduating in 3 years, instead of 2, so I'm still debating whether or not it's worth it.
I'm currently 22

Don't be a fool, stay in school! Dude you're 22 and the oil sands aren't going anywhere any time soon, finish your degree. I would recommend staying in Quebec as you pay the lowest uni tuition in all of Canada and you can probably live at home, cost of living is also lower in Montreal than Edmonton and I don't think I have t explain how much better of a city Montreal is than Edmonton. As for whether or not you should switch from electrical to mining, I would read up and study as much about it as possible, I don't know much about engineering but there's definitely work for electrical engineers in the oil sands. Mining probably pays more but the shitty thing about mining is that all of these mines are in absolute shit holes, it may sound fun to go work in Madagascar or Cuba at nickel mine, but you won't be on a nice beach, you'll be in an industrial shit hole, just like in Canada.

I know that it sounds tempting to drop out and head west but you already have two years of school under your belt, two more years isn't really much. If you don't want to continue with the engineering, you can still take a trade but I can almost guarantee that after working in the oil patch for a few years, by the time you're my age, you'll be glad that you have the engineering degree to fall back on.

If I could go back in time I would definitely take an engineering degree, I"m 31 now and don't want to be a student for four years, so it isn't really an option for me. I can still upgrade my skills and get into management eventually, which is what I"m doing but until then I"m going to be doing the dirty grunt work. Although I do enjoy my lifestyle of working a few months a year and traveling, its getting tiring and I don't really have the option of working a "normal" 9-5 job in a decent city, which you will, if you get your degree.