Hi there.
I have been living in Vaughan's area which is mostly industrial in Ontario. I am in Cybersecurity. I tried setting up business in Vaughan but I couldn't get bigger network because there is hardly any event. And going to Toronto takes hours of time. I am working at a gas station to afford rent, and living. Though my parents do help me by sending me money if I need even though I rarely ask for it. Me and my buddy are thinking of moving to Downtown Toronto or atleast near it so we can go attend events happening, get a bigger network, or meet people (unlike in Vaughan) of same age or those who are interested in what I do or what I could do. In Vaughan, it seems like my talent is being wasted. Nobody understands what I do and they often confuse cybersecurity with security as a bodyguard or security officer. It's gonna be 400 bucks more, or maybe one more shift at my work (which will be a little further by moving there though). But whenever I tell somebody that I want to move Toronto, or York Region (my family or anybody), they start saying it's foolish, blah blah blah. I like meeting people. I am social. I like attending events and making friends. I am struggling to get a better job to be in for makign business better because I dont have a network and online applying leads to 100s of interviews but nothing. And the job posts stay there for months. (Maybe a tax-saving technique by company that they are hiring). And then I am also thinking that if I move Toronto area or near it, I will get bigger network, more people who understand my work and business, more job fairs or events related to my work, more people my age, maybe potential clients, but I have to sacrifice more money, and maybe spend a little more time at work, and the main thing, what if I get a job much further from my home then?
What is your advice for me? I want to learn more things and network. Is it worth it? I have to learn French for my immigration purposes, and those events also happen in Toronto only. Hardly any here (or are paid).
TLDR; OP wants to relocate. But is confused.
Posted by MankuTheBeast
2 Comments
Moving to Toronto sounds like the right call honestly. You’re already dealing with the worst parts of both worlds – stuck in a dead zone for your industry but still paying decent rent, plus burning time commuting when you do need to get into the city
The networking thing is huge in cybersecurity and you can’t build that from Vaughan. I had a similar situation a few years back where I was living somewhere cheaper but career-wise it was like being in witness protection. Made the move and within six months I had more opportunities than I knew what to do with just from actually being where things happen
Your family’s probably just worried about the money aspect but they don’t see the opportunity cost of staying put. That extra 400 bucks is nothing compared to what one good connection or job opportunity could bring you. Plus if you’re already working at a gas station, finding similar work in Toronto won’t be hard and the job market for your actual field will be way better there
Before relocating, try virtual networking first. Toronto’s cybersecurity scene has active Slack communities and LinkedIn groups where you can build relationships remotely. That way you’ll already have contacts when you do move, and you can test whether the opportunities are worth the higher rent.