COVER STORY
THE DIFFERENCE A MENTOR CAN MAKE
Mentoring is important for newcomer professionals year-round. It provides them the opportunity to connect with other professionals in their field, build new relationships, and gain valuable insights relevant to navigating the Canadian job market. Image credit: NEWS CANADA.
By ROHIT SINGH
January is recognized as National Mentoring Month in Canada – a celebration of the dedication and commitment of mentors who play a pivotal role in supporting individuals with their careers.
However, mentoring is important for newcomer professionals year-round.
It provides them the opportunity to connect with other professionals in their field, build new relationships, and gain valuable insights relevant to navigating the Canadian job market.
Since its inception in 2004, the TRIEC Mentoring Partnership (TMP) program has helped over 26,000 newcomers connect with mentors and gain a head start in their careers. The program has been proven highly successful.
Newcomer participants are 2.5 times more likely to find employment in their field and are four times more likely to expand their professional networks compared to those who do not participate in the TMP program as per Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)’s Mentoring Evaluation Report.
What’s more, many of TMP’s mentors were once mentees themselves, including individuals like Nitin John, Pranjal Kothawade and Samina Sarawala, who arrived in Canada as newcomer professionals.
John, with a career in banking and finance, had worked for financial institutions in India and the UAE before moving to Canada in 2018.
Kothawade, a mechanical engineer and MBA with six years of experience in India, was eager to continue his career in Canada.
Sarawala, a seasoned public relations manager, had worked with one of India’s largest independent PR agencies before relocating.
Upon arriving in Canada, each of them began their search for job opportunities but quickly recognized the challenges of entering a new labour market. It was not long before they discovered TRIEC Mentoring Partnership program.
“I felt that if there was a program that could equip me for the new country and someone to guide me along the journey, someone who had already been through a similar phase and made it, it would prove really helpful,” said Kothawade. “What really appealed most to me was the value proposition of getting connected with someone – a mentor – who would help me during my journey.”
“I loved the whole idea of getting mentored by an industry specialist and gaining a closer understanding of the Canadian banking landscape,” says Nitin John, a banking and finance professional.
John, who learned about TMP through ACCES Employment’s (a community partner organization with TMP) Financial Services Connection Program, echoed similar sentiments: “I loved the whole idea of getting mentored by an industry specialist and gaining a closer understanding of the Canadian banking landscape,” he says. “Initially, I couldn’t believe there are mentors who are voluntarily giving their time to guide newcomers. I consider myself fortunate to have been matched with a mentor in the banking industry with similar experience.”
Sarawala found TMP after being introduced to it through an employment services agency. “It seemed like a perfect opportunity to understand the nuances of working in Canada compared to India,” she remarks. “My mentor, who also had a communications background, guided me through essential aspects like analyzing job descriptions and navigating cultural differences in the workplace. For me, the mentorship experience enhanced my job search experience substantially.”
For each of them, mentorship became a cornerstone of their success in Canada.
John reflected on how the mentorship changed his approach to job search: “I was fortunate to have made some great connections with my mentors, especially my TRIEC mentor, as I learned something new in each discussion we had. Prior to enrolling in the program, my job search approach was very typically how it’s done in the UAE and India. Applying for roles online via career portals Indeed and LinkedIn and then waiting for a response. Little did I know about networking, Application Tracking Systems (ATS), and warm introductions to other bankers to understand their role, challenges and how they navigate the same. The TRIEC Mentoring Partnership program helped me change my approach and I was fortunate to get an opportunity to join RBC within six months of reaching Canada.”
Sarawala credits TMP for significantly enhancing her understanding of Canadian workplace culture, boosting her confidence, and sharpening her job search strategies. “TRIEC Mentoring Partnership program significantly contributed to my career growth and adaptation to the Canadian workforce by helping me understand the Canadian workplace culture, building my professional network, enhancing my job search strategies and gaining knowledge about my industry. “Above all, the insights and guidance provided by my mentor helped me boost my confidence to present myself effectively during interviews,” she explained.
Kothawade also found the mentorship crucial to his career. “My mentor introduced me to the concept of ATS and made me realize the importance of keywords in a resumé. He also helped me identify useful certification courses that I could take,” he shared. “His suggestions helped me in a very positive way in landing a good position relevant to my skills and profile and carving a future growth plan for me.”
Having successfully navigated their own career journeys with the help of TMP, John, Kothawade and Sarawala were eager to give back to the program as mentors and help the next generation of newcomer professionals also achieve similar success.
“My mentor introduced me to the concept of ATS and made me realize the importance of keywords in a resumé. He also helped me identify useful certification courses that I could take,” says Pranjal Kothawade.
“The immigrant community is diverse and constantly in need of guidance to navigate their way toward securing their first job in Canada,” says Sarawala. “As soon as I completed the TMP program as a mentee, I felt a strong desire to give back to the community by becoming a mentor. The mentoring experience is incredibly rewarding, allowing me to support others while continuing to grow personally and professionally.”
For Kothawade, the decision to become a mentor was deeply personal. “I saw many able and eligible candidates struggling to start a good profile despite having good credentials just due to a lack of mentorship,” he explained. “So I opted to become a mentor, to build bridges and provide the support that immigrants need to succeed in this country.”
John, too, was eager to pay it forward. “I have always enjoyed giving back to our communities. It is very fulfilling when we share our experience to positively guide and motivate other individuals. When I was new to Canada, there were many individuals who gave me their time and guided me to get better familiarized with the workplace culture. I am trying my best to pay it forward to other newcomers as I know firsthand how integral such guidance could be when we are new to a place, whether it be a country or an organization.”
Their work as mentors has not only helped others but also brought personal and professional growth.
“I feel that mentoring is a two-way process,” says Kothawade.
“While you are mentoring someone, you are getting mentored by that individual indirectly. I got a chance to mentor a professional from Sri Lanka and it opened a whole different world of cultural aspects to me. I even to got to mentor a few individuals who were more experienced and senior than me, and I would say I learnt more finance stuff from them that what they learnt from me!”
John echoed similar sentiments about his experience as a mentor. “I hadn’t experienced giving back to individuals in our industry or at work, and this act gave me a purpose to share my experience with other newcomers and be a small part of their journey. Mentoring also helped me to learn from the mentees. Canada attracts many talented and qualified individuals, and I always believe in keeping an open mind and learning from others. This has helped me positively in my career journey.”
Sarawala has also benefited immensely from her time as a mentor in the program. “I gained valuable insights into diverse perspectives and challenges faced by newcomers, which deepened my understanding of leadership and empathy. Supporting others improved my communication, coaching, and problem-solving skills, fostering personal growth,” she notes. “Mentoring reinforced my knowledge of industry trends and practices and strengthened my professional network. It positively impacted my career by improving my ability to collaborate, lead, and connect with people from diverse backgrounds.”
Reflecting on their experiences with TMP, each of them agrees that the program is a game-changer.
For Sarawala, the program provided many standout memorable moments.
“I gained valuable insights into diverse perspectives and challenges faced by newcomers, which deepened my understanding of leadership and empathy,” says Samina Sarawala, a seasoned PR manager.
“My mentor walked me through understanding job descriptions in detail and helped me tailor my applications effectively. Their insights on workplace cultural differences were eye-opening and greatly boosted my confidence for interviews,” she says.
The most impactful moments come from seeing mentees succeed and celebrating their milestones.
“As a mentor, the most impactful moments came from seeing my mentees succeed and celebrating their milestones. A key takeaway from both experiences is the power of guidance and connection. Whether receiving or providing mentorship, the exchange of knowledge and support can transform careers and build lasting confidence.”
For Kothawade, the experience of being both a mentee and a mentor has been incredibly rewarding.
“It is delightful when my mentee lands a job which is ‘not a compromise’ but which ‘meets all the expectations’. I am happy when my mentees secure good jobs in the very core fields they wanted. Canada being a country where immigrants drive the economy, it’s imperative that you come across people from different nationalities and cultural backgrounds in your daily work. Mentors can effectively use this platform to upskill themselves in cross-cultural communication, conflict resolution, and training and engagement.”
For John, TMP transformed his career journey.
“When I initially started my job search, I was fixated on only applying for credit analyst roles, but after connecting with multiple industry professionals through my mentor, I realized relationship management is also a role where my skills are transferrable and I am glad I took that leap of faith,” he says. “Getting industry and role insights directly from a professional in that industry is one of the best ways to learn and get better acquainted with the role and organization’s expectations. Getting genuine feedback these days to improve ourselves is rare. The insights and direction from an industry professional on navigating the job search and interview process helps us to be better prepared, saves a lot of time and keeps us motivated. Obtaining such guidance from one program, is what makes TMP the best mentoring program.”
The TRIEC Mentoring Partnership program has proven to be more than just a career-building tool – it has empowered individuals to navigate the Canadian job market, build confidence, and develop meaningful connections that last a lifetime.
• To learn more about the TRIEC Mentoring Partnership program, and become a mentor or mentee in the program, visit https://mentoringpartnership.ca. You can also learn about TRIEC and its other programs at https://triec.ca.