The Career Transitioning Experiences of Nigerian Economic Immigrants in Canada: Reliance on Christian Faith and Personal Agency

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47634/cjcp.v56i1.70490

Abstract

Career transitioning among immigrants in Canada is a widely studied phenomenon. However, little research exists on the experiences of sub-Saharan African immigrants. In Canada, immigrants from African countries represent a significant proportion of the immigrant labour force, yet they experience the highest unemployment rates compared to their counterparts from all other continents in the world (Yssaad & Fields, 2018). The current study used phenomenology as a methodology and intersectionality as an epistemology to explore the challenges and coping strategies of six Christian Nigerian economic immigrant (NEI) women and men undergoing career transitioning in Canada. Results revealed the salience of career transitioning in the socio-cultural, occupational, and socio-economic aspects of NEIs’ lives. Their Christian faith and personal agency were interconnected sources of strength for overcoming transitioning challenges. Implications for counselling and further research are discussed.

Author Biographies

Ibukunoluwa Adekoya, McGill University

Ibukunoluwa Adekoya is a doctoral candidate of counselling psychology at McGill University. She conducts research on the daily life experiences of Black African immigrants in Canada and the United States to challenge problematic stereotypes and to share stories of resilience from people from sub-Saharan African countries.

Ada L. Sinacore, McGill University

Ada L. Sinacore, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology at McGill University and the director of the Social Justice and Diversity Research Lab. Dr. Sinacore is also president of the Canadian Psychological Association for the 2021–2022 fiscal year. Her research interests include topics related to societal inequities and disparities in education and mental health, such as workplace harassment, bullying, gender-based violence and sexual violence, as well as cultural transitioning and adjustment in immigrant populations.

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Published

2022-06-14

How to Cite

Adekoya, I., & Sinacore, A. L. (2022). The Career Transitioning Experiences of Nigerian Economic Immigrants in Canada: Reliance on Christian Faith and Personal Agency. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 56(1), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.47634/cjcp.v56i1.70490

Issue

Vol. 56 No. 1 (2022)

Section

Articles/ Articles

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Copyright is retained by the Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy.