Attitude and personal initiative are key determinants of whether an immigrant to Canada achieves success, according to a study released Wednesday by immigrant service organization S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. sponsored the research project conducted by University of British Columbia psychology professor Norman Amundson.
Most of the 20 individuals who were extensively interviewed and tracked in the study considered personal initiative important. The starting point for their initiative was being confident, persistent and maintaining a positive attitude.
When S.U.C.C.E.S.S. launched the study in November 2009, Business in Vancouver spoke with successful immigrant entrepreneur and Canadian Immigrant newspaper founder Nick Noorani. (See “Lack of soft skills keeping immigrants underemployed” – issue 1049; December 1-7, 2009.)
He did not need the study to tell him it was a lack of soft skills keeping new immigrants unemployed.
“I don’t need to pick up a newspaper to read that it’s hard for immigrants to succeed in this country,” Noorani said at the time. “Tell me how to succeed.”
His seven secrets, which he often works into some of his motivational speeches, are: