- Pakistanis can compete successfully in professional fields, especially in education, healthcare, IT and skilled trades
Interview with Ms. Tazeen Siddiqui, a Canadian-Pakistani
PAGE: Tell me something about yourself, please:
Tazeen Siddiqui: I emigrated to Canada with my family in December 2014. Before moving, I worked as a Senior Lecturer in the MBA Department at the University of Karachi, a trainer at the National Bank of Pakistan, and a visiting English faculty member at ICMA. My husband and I decided to leave our established life behind in search of a safer and more secure future for our family. Our top priority was the well-being and future of our children. At that time, the political, social, and economic conditions in Pakistan were continuously deteriorating, and we considered immigration a blessing for our entire family. After arriving in Canada, I realized that while it is indeed a beautiful country, building a good life here is one of the toughest challenges for immigrants — especially those coming from developing underdeveloped nations. Nevertheless, we deeply appreciate the country’s natural beauty, its fairness, and the easy access to basic necessities. We also value the regulatory systems that work diligently to maintain order and prevent any kind of discrepancy in society.
It was a long struggle to get into a white-collar job in Canada. The chances of achieving that are slim for people from third-world countries because of the systems in which we are raised. The language barrier, our initial inability to adjust to a fast-paced workplace, and the differences in work ethics make the transition challenging. s
The honesty, professionalism, and open communication channels that define Canadian work culture are often difficult to find back home. The most helpful factor for me was my ability to speak English, but there were still many challenges.
I had to train my ears to understand the Canadian accent and learn Canadian English, especially its idioms and phrasal verbs, which I had never encountered before. But the good thing was that I had a strong background in English. I earned two Master’s degrees in English from the University of Karachi, and my extensive ESL teaching experience helped me quickly pick up Canadian English. Most of the Canadians I interacted with during my early days in Canada thought I was a long-time immigrant who was already well established and enjoying a good life and career because of my ability to speak English. But language was not the only challenge in settling in Canada, although it was one of the biggest reasons why many immigrants — almost 99 percent — struggle to succeed.
Another major challenge was adapting to the culture and coping with the extreme winters, which were completely different from what I had experienced before. This society is work-oriented, where people constantly step out of their comfort zones to achieve their goals, meet deadlines, and maintain a high standard of professionalism. Although major cities, which are overpopulated, sometimes have mafias that operate under the table, promoting corruption in society, the system is actively trying to curb such evils at their root. Certain ethnic groups, often from underdeveloped countries, may be more prone to these activities due to social and economic pressures, but the overall legal and administrative framework works to maintain fairness and accountability.
Discrimination and racism do exist here as well, but the human rights laws are so strong that once an incident is reported or a complaint is filed, the offender cannot be let off. They are held accountable and penalized, because the law applies to everyone. In my experience, the victim receives justice. Corruption exists everywhere, but its extent varies. Some systems have effective checks and balances, while others do not.
I went to George Brown College and earned a certificate in HR. I started as an HR executive in a Canadian company and worked in this field for a few years. Later, I switched to audit for a year, but I soon realized that I missed my role as a teacher.
Teaching is a highly respected and dignified profession in Canada, with significant social and financial status. However, it requires years of study along with sufficient work experience to get into a teacher education program. A BEd here is a very competitive degree to achieve. Many people with extensive teaching experience from their home countries end up working in daycare centres because they are unable to gain admission to university programs, which are highly competitive.
In Canada, the teaching profession is mainly dominated by white individuals, while people of mixed ethnicities are more often found in support staff roles. The reasons include the extensive studies required, the competitive admission process, and the fact that even after gaining entry, not everyone succeeds due to the program’s complexity and rigor. When I first applied to the BEd program, I was refused admission to York University, a highly reputed university, because of the differences between the grading systems in Pakistan and Canada. In Pakistan, I had divisions, while Canadian universities required a GPA. I did not give up. I first attended college and then Toronto Metropolitan University, and later enrolled in the BEd program at York and the Master of Education program at OISE. It was a complete transformation for me. I felt like a young teenage girl going to college every day. I can never forget those days—it took my tears, blood, and sweat to study hard while shouldering household responsibilities and working a part-time job in before- and after-school programs. I even fell seriously ill due to a cervical problem and was admitted to the hospital several times.
Here in Canada, we do not get much support at home; even if you are critically ill, you have to manage things yourself, including arrangements like burial if necessary. At times, I only got two hours of sleep.
Studies in Canada are very challenging, unlike in Pakistan. They are research-based, designed to develop critical thinking, reasoning abilities, and reflective skills. You have to justify your points of view with credible external sources. Plagiarism is considered a serious offense. Assignments are submitted through an app called Turnitin, which can detect even a single copied sentence. Presenting someone else’s work as your own is unacceptable. As a result, students strive to perform at their best and achieve excellence.
Seeing the status and dignity enjoyed by teachers in Canada inspired me to make it my dream to become a public-school teacher, and my passion for this profession grew stronger every day. You need to stay motivated at all times, every single moment.
My personal motto is: We get life once, so let’s achieve as much as we can. However, pursuing this dream came at a cost — it affected my health as well.
Finally, I did it. I also completed certification in Teaching English as a Second Language and am now a certified Ontario ESL teacher, as well as an internationally certified English language teacher. Achieving all these credentials at middle age would seem impossible for many, but with Allah’s help, I was able to succeed.
Many in our Pakistani community give up easily; they find it difficult to adapt to changes in Canadian society and often blame the Canadian system. However, they must realize that here, the real competition is between us and people from all over the world. We must equip ourselves with advanced knowledge and effective communication skills. There is a marked difference between Canadian-born and others; therefore, one must work hard to bridge this gap.
Another factor is sophistication. People from progressive and modern countries are often more sophisticated and well-versed than those from underdeveloped countries. As a result, many white-collar jobs are taken by them, while other immigrants often end up in survival jobs or lower-level positions. That is why we must continuously polish ourselves and elevate our skills to a level where we can compete effectively with others. It is very hard — extremely challenging — and requires a complete transformation of your personality. Since job opportunities are limited, employers tend to hire the very best candidates.
I earned three degrees from well-renowned institutions: Toronto Metropolitan University, York University, OISE (University of Toronto), and George Brown College. My education stands out even among native Canadians.
My Canadian credentials and three licenses I earned in Canada are a guarantee for securing highly paid and respected jobs in the field of education. It is rare for an immigrant to excel to this extent, especially these days in Canada, where the competition is extremely intense. It was a dream that I finally achieved.
I am still pursuing my dreams. I will not stop here. I will not stop here, because when you stop, you become stagnant. The same applies to human growth—if we stop progressing at any point, our skills and capabilities begin to rust.
PAGE: How would you describe the life of a Pakistani in Canada?
Tazeen Siddiqui: Pakistanis who came to Canada 50 years ago were able to build better lives because there was a smaller population and more opportunities. Fifty years ago, Canada’s economy was growing steadily, driven by manufacturing, natural resources, and a strong labor market. There were more job opportunities and less competition, which made it easier for immigrants to establish themselves. Most of them were able to establish small businesses and achieve financial stability, taking advantage of the growing economy and lower competition.
With the growing number of immigrants, competition has increased significantly, making it a “survival of the fittest” scenario.
For the Pakistani community, it has become difficult to compete in the job market, and this competition is global, not just local, as people from all over the world have settled in Canada. This is why even highly educated Pakistanis often find it extremely challenging to secure jobs in their fields, and a large number of them end up working as taxi drivers or in other survival jobs. As far as their children are concerned, they generally have a better future since they are born and raised in Canadian culture. They are Canadian-born, hold Canadian degrees, speak English with a native accent, and are well-versed in Canadian culture. I don’t mean that one has to lose their identity or culture to get hired in the Canadian market, but to compete at a global level, one must adapt, develop advanced skills, and understand the professional and cultural expectations of the workplace.
PAGE: What are the employment prospects for Pakistanis in Canada vis-a-vis other nationals?
Tazeen Siddiqui: Employment prospects for Pakistanis in Canada are generally more challenging compared to immigrants from more developed or English-speaking countries. This is due to factors such as differences in education systems, limited local work experience, language nuances, and competition from highly skilled immigrants from around the world. However, with advanced qualifications, Canadian credentials, and strong language skills, Pakistanis can compete successfully in professional fields, especially in education, healthcare, IT, and skilled trades.
PAGE: Tell me about the standards of education in Canada?
Tazeen Siddiqui: In Canada, education is predominantly research-based, meaning that teaching and learning are grounded in evidence, critical inquiry, and scholarly investigation. Students are encouraged to explore topics deeply, question assumptions, and support their ideas with credible sources. This approach fosters analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and independent learning. Assignments, projects, and discussions are all designed to ensure that students engage with current research and apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations. Research-based education not only develops academic competence but also prepares students to think critically, make informed decisions, and contribute meaningfully to their professions and society.
PAGE: Where do you see yourself in next 10 years?
Tazeen Siddiqui: I want to contribute to my community in Canada. By creating self-awareness among our people through writing and workshops, I aim to empower Pakistani women and help them realize their potential. Professionally, I aspire to advance in my field and move up the hierarchy, taking on roles of greater responsibility and impact.