COVER STORY

DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO SUCCEED IN CANADA?

Mentors help newcomers to Canada build networks, careeers and confidence. Image credit: NEWS CANADA.

By ROHIT SINGH

National Volunteering Week is celebrated in Canada in May, but really, mentors contribute hugely to the success of mentees in countless ways throughout the year.

It’s important to recognize volunteer mentors who give their time in helping newcomer professionals build their careers in their new home. They help newcomers by providing them with opportunities to connect with other professionals, build new relationships, and share valuable information relevant to their job search.

Suparna Biswas, Shraddha Gotad and Mohit Setiya are three of many immigrant professionals who have benefited from mentoring. With several years of experience across IT, HR, and engineering sectors in different countries under their belt, respectively, having a mentor helped them better understand the Canadian labour market, and provided them with the resources needed to thrive in their careers.

The TRIEC Mentoring Partnership (TMP) program is one of the leading mentoring programs for immigrant professionals in Canada, with over 12,000 mentors registered over the years, helping more than 24,000 newcomers get a head start in their careers. The program has been highly successful, with participants 2.5 times more likely to find employment in their field and 78 per cent of those finding employment within three months of completing the program, in 2022-2023.

“I joined TMP in early May 2018, believing that it would be instrumental in my job search,” says Suparna Biswas. “Soon after, I was matched with a mentor from my professional domain. I enjoyed the conversation with my mentor and all the insights they shared. I was also introduced to some of my mentor’s professional network, which is always helpful for newcomers.”

Mohit Setiya, too, found the program useful for his career. “My mentor was welcoming and provided me with effective measures for navigating the Canadian job market,” he said. “This program helped me to build my first professional network in Canada.”

Shraddha Gotad’s experience was similar, but also unique due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. “There were scheduling challenges with my mentor, but I was still able to connect with them a few times,” she says. “I found the experience to be extremely beneficial. Moreover, the career mentoring coach and the TMP staff provided me with invaluable support throughout my participation in the program.”

Joining TMP proved to be a career-changing decision for all three of them. Setiya was able to land his first internship opportunity thanks to the support of his mentor, and Biswas bagged a job at RBC within a few weeks of joining the program. “When I look back, I feel those sessions with my mentor, where he shared his experience and challenges and how he overcame those, knowing about the job market and the work culture – those all were really helpful and a good starting point to help me get settled,” she says.

After finding success in their careers and seeing the benefits of the program, all three decided to return and join as mentors, wanting to give back and help other newcomers find similar successful pathways in their careers.

Gotad explained her decision to become a mentor in the program. “As someone who has experienced the challenges of starting a career all over again in a new country, I understand the struggles that many newcomers to Canada face. I encountered many difficulties in navigating the job market during the pandemic, but I was fortunate to meet people who shared valuable information and helped me stay motivated and positive during this uncertain time. I believe that my experiences and the path I have navigated can be of help to others in similar situations. If I can provide guidance and support to help newcomers carve their own paths and achieve their goals, I would be more than happy to do so. I understand that a little help can go a long way.”

“I was introduced to some of my mentor’s professional network, which is always helpful for newcomers,” says Suparna Biswas.

“My mentor was welcoming and provided me with effective measures for navigating the Canadian job market,” says Mohit Setiya.

For Setiya, the decision to rejoin as a mentor was an easy one. “I was a mentee once, and it helped me to network with different professionals within my industry. As I’ve now settled in a leadership role at an established organization, I wanted to give back to the community by helping newcomers build their networks and establish their careers.”

For Biswas, the motivation to become a mentor was also personal. “It is sometimes difficult for a newcomer to express themselves as they go through a difficult phase in their life, trying to settle down in a new country while facing economic hardship, and this can have a negative effect on their confidence level,” she shared. “Having personally gone through that phase, I understand it well and so, I want to help those who need guidance. As a newcomer, they may lack the vision and information needed regarding this career shift where a mentor with experience can be of great help.”

What advice do they have for newcomers starting their career journey in Canada?

“In addition to building your core competencies, you must also build relationships in this competitive market,” says Setiya. “As newcomers, we often feel hesitant and avoid reaching out to our network; take that first step and ask for help. Attend networking workshops, invite people for a virtual coffee chat, grow that relationship; it will help you understand the market and achieve your goals.”

Alongside networking, Biswas believes that mental preparation is also key. “I believe that, first and foremost, newcomers should come with an open mind and heart to embrace the new. I can totally understand how challenging it can get from time to time but there is help available through many different programs. Do not let the challenging time affect you or pull you down. Be confident and showcase your talent!”

“Being proactive and persistent in the job search process is crucial,” says Gotad. “Seek help and guidance from mentors and experienced professionals whenever you can. Remember, setbacks may occur, but giving up is never an option. Stay resilient, keep pushing forward, and maintain a positive attitude. Success is attainable, and every step you take brings you closer to realizing your goals.”

“I found the experience extremely beneficial. The career mentoring coach and the TMP staff provided me with invaluable support,” says Shraddha Gotad.

• For more information about the TRIEC Mentoring Partnership program and to sign up as a mentor or mentee in the program, visit mentoringpartnership.ca.