4 ms·

I'm also from Canada, but I have a very different experience from the other posts. I live in Quebec and speaking french as a primary language. I am still a CS s

by Sytten 8y ago

I'm also from Canada, but I have a very different experience from the other posts. I live in Quebec and speaking french as a primary language. I am still a CS student, but from what I have seen (I am involved a lot with other universities) the retention rate in Quebec is much higher. Only a minority is leaving Quebec for internships or jobs later on. Even if most of us speak perfectly fine english the culture is very different. I see very good people accepting 40-50k salaries for junior positions. Making a lot of money in Quebec is kind of taboo, so seeking a high salary is not well seen. Last thing, our education system is basically free (1600 CAD per semester). After 3 years of university most of people in CS have at least 10-12k in their savings already. If someone has numbers for Quebec only, I would not be surprised too see the emigration isn't really an issue.

jonathanyc 8y ago
I can definitely see people wanting to stay in an area and accept lower wages because they identify strongly with the area (in the US and Canada, I’m betting Quebec ranks near the top in terms of this) or because they identify looking for a high salary as taboo. At the same time, it’s a sure-fire recipe for a brain drain, as undoubtedly some very smart people will emigrate for 2x-3x higher wages (based on your numbers), and just as importantly very few people will want to immigrate and accept lower wages. On the time scale of decades this definitely creates a big issue.
okatsu 8y ago
I'm in QC as well and was lucky enough to land a 65k job right out of school, so it was awkward to see my classmates not only accepting 45-50k salaries but also trying to rationalize them. I think you might be right about the taboo. But otherwise I love Montreal. My salary today is definitely peanuts compared to SV but I live comfortably here and I saved way more than 12k during school thanks to internships and the low tuition costs you mentioned. The city is very culturally rich and I just really enjoy it here.
- toto123456 8y ago
  I'm in Qc too, in Québec city. May I ask what language do you guys use ? Thanks.
  - okatsu 8y ago
    My job right out of school was mostly C++. Nowadays it's a mix of C++ and web stuff.
    - toto123456 8y ago
      ok ok thanks, I'm learning c++ , and later I want to get into BI. :)

by Sytten 8y ago

jonathanyc 8y ago

I can definitely see people wanting to stay in an area and accept lower wages because they identify strongly with the area (in the US and Canada, I’m betting Quebec ranks near the top in terms of this) or because they identify looking for a high salary as taboo. At the same time, it’s a sure-fire recipe for a brain drain, as undoubtedly some very smart people will emigrate for 2x-3x higher wages (based on your numbers), and just as importantly very few people will want to immigrate and accept lower wages. On the time scale of decades this definitely creates a big issue.

okatsu 8y ago

I'm in QC as well and was lucky enough to land a 65k job right out of school, so it was awkward to see my classmates not only accepting 45-50k salaries but also trying to rationalize them. I think you might be right about the taboo. But otherwise I love Montreal. My salary today is definitely peanuts compared to SV but I live comfortably here and I saved way more than 12k during school thanks to internships and the low tuition costs you mentioned. The city is very culturally rich and I just really enjoy it here.

toto123456 8y ago
I'm in Qc too, in Québec city. May I ask what language do you guys use ? Thanks.
- okatsu 8y ago
  My job right out of school was mostly C++. Nowadays it's a mix of C++ and web stuff.
  - toto123456 8y ago
    ok ok thanks, I'm learning c++ , and later I want to get into BI. :)