Journey of Resilience to Canada III ???? (2019-2024)

This article is the continuation of 2 previous articles below telling my personal migration story.

The first article in the series was Journey of Resilience to Canada I ????

The second article in the series was Journey of Resilience to Canada II ????

As we give thanks for this land we share and honour the traditions of these territories, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported me on this journey. Your time and help have been invaluable to me.

The third quarter start was challenging, with time running out on my temporary resident papers and no clear solutions. Migration policies have been turbulent, and local support for migration in Canada has waned. At the beginning of this quarter felt like navigating through dense fog, relying solely on instruments, searching for a lighthouse, following a plan and hoping for the best.

July 2024 was a whirlwind of preparation for my CISSP certification from ISC2 , which I successfully passed at the beginning of the month. Although the job search was challenging, with over 300 direct applications yielding no interviews, my networking efforts paid off. I secured about 20 interviews through connections and friends, and I was thrilled to receive an offer from Manulife . As Seneca wisely said, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” My hard study life and relentless pursuit of opportunities have truly paid off.?? ????

August 2024 was a month of transition and preparation as I worked on and presented the CCSP. Leaving TD was bittersweet, as I had formed strong friendships and enjoyed serving my colleagues. However, I focused on my priority: providing a better life for my family in Canada. We chose this country almost eight years ago, and five years ago, we began living our dream here. ??

September 2024 brought new beginnings just follow the lighthouse as I started my new job and embraced a new role and rhythm in my corporate life. Building new internal networks required effort, but I am grateful to be involved in two exciting projects involving AI and GenAI. Assessing risk in my role is challenging, but I am learning to navigate the complexities of risk management. Balancing my 20 years of technical experience with risk opinions that enable business operations is still a work in progress. ????

I also spent the last days of September in Colombia ????, celebrating love with my family and enjoying a wonderful end to the quarter.

As I move forward, my main focus is my family. I have realigned my priorities to ensure that family comes first. Having a plan to enable my family to stay in Canada ???? given me the clarity to reshape my life. I am committed to becoming a better husband and reconquer the love my wife and I share. The family-first guy is returning, and I am excited about this new chapter. ????