In today’s blog post, we have the pleasure of sharing the inspiring story of João Pedro Schmitt, a full stack engineer who relocated from Brazil to Canada. João’s experience is an example to the power of determination and self-improvement and we can’t be prouder of his journey.
Starting in Brazil, The Lead to Europe
João Pedro’s journey began in Brazil, where he pursued his education and started his career in information technology. He completed a bachelor’s degree in IT and went on to obtain a master’s degree in computer science. While still in university, João began working for a multinational company, gaining over seven years of experience in developing Engineering Systems. His educational and professional background laid a solid foundation for his future endeavors.
In a quest to explore new horizons, João and his wife decided to look for opportunities abroad. They shared a desire for international experiences, which led them to consider moving to Canada. However, the timing wasn’t right, and they took an intermediate step by relocating to Portugal. During his time in Europe, João worked for various companies, including a British firm and a stint at BMW, where he developed software for vehicles. This experience abroad prepared him for the ultimate move to Canada.
The Motivation Behind the Move
João’s motivation for pursuing international opportunities was rooted in his desire to explore new places, cultures, and to embark on a journey of personal and professional growth. His decision to move abroad was influenced by his wife, and together, they saw it as a chance to enhance their careers, improve their English, and experience a new way of life. Their path to Canada was a process, and it began with a move to Europe, where they learned, adapted, and set their sights on their ultimate goal.
Enter VanHack: A Valuable Resource
João initially registered with VanHack while still in Brazil but didn’t actively engage with the platform until later. When he and his wife decided to target Canada as their destination, João became a VH Academy student (VH Academy is temporarily closed right now) – a platform that offered them a wealth of resources, including courses, classes, and support from instructors. These resources covered interview preparation, CV writing, and technical courses for live coding exercises. João took full advantage of these resources, applying what he learned to enhance his profile and tailor his applications.
As a VanHacker candidate, you can still access amazing learning content for FREE via VH Learning Hub.
The Role of Preparation Sessions
The interview preparation sessions provided by VH Academy played a crucial role in João’s journey. The team helped him excel in cultural interviews, where soft skills, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence are just as essential as technical knowledge. These sessions guided him in understanding his strengths, limitations, and future goals, enabling him to confidently navigate the challenging aspects of the interview process.
The Emotional Part, Time to Celebrate
The moment João received the job offer for a position in Canada, so much excitement:
when we received the job offer we just felt relieved because yeah we got it so now we are achieving our biggest dream that was about moving to Canada and living in a country that speaks English natively. at first we couldn’t kind of believe that it was true so it took like a few hours to start believing this was really happening.
João’s Tips for Success
João’s journey teaches us valuable lessons about pursuing international opportunities and leveraging platforms like VanHack. Here are his top tips for success:
- Trust the Process
- Patience is Key: Understand that the job search process can take time. Be patient and stay committed to your goals.
- Embrace Self-Improvement: Use the journey to learn more about yourself, improve your soft skills, and enhance your communication and emotional intelligence.
- Stay Persistent: Don’t be discouraged by setbacks or rejections.
Relocate to Canada With VanHack
VanHack is your gateway to a world of exceptional job opportunities and exciting prospects.
Here’s how VH can help you make Canada your home:
📌 Job Board: VanHack’s job board is your one-stop destination for a wide array of job openings in Canada and other parts of the globe. Most of the job postings offer sponsored visas, making your international job search a breeze. Plus, we’ve carefully curated our hiring partners to ensure you’ll be working with some of the best companies out there. Secure your job in Canada and relocate with peace of mind: VanHack.com/Jobs.
🏢 Canadian Engineer Office: Maybe you’re already in a fulfilling role with your current employer, but they don’t have an office in Canada. No worries! With VanHack, you can join our Canadian Engineer Office program and enjoy all the benefits of being part of an international team. This option offers you the best of both worlds—staying with a company you love and experiencing the perks of working in Canada. Discover if you are eligible: VanHack.com/MoveToCanada.