You too can make a difference in an immigrant's life!
ICA is always looking for professionals in a variety of fields to be mentors.

Please contact Karolien Swaak, Host Mentoring Services Facilitator, 250-388-4728 ext 122 or kswaakicavictoria [dot] org for more information.

Library Sciences - Sandeep and Olivia

Sandeep and Olivia began their mentorship in early September and despite busy schedules, have managed to maintain a regular schedule of Thursday meetings. Sandeep was a trained librarian in her country of origin but since coming to Canada, she has faced difficulties in finding work and even volunteer opportunities in her field due to the challenges of incorporating volunteers into a unionized setting. Now, with Olivia’s help, Sandeep has refined her resume and cover letter, is more knowledgeable of current trends in the library field in Canada, and has built a small network of local librarians that she can look to for support.

“Every Thursday is a new Thursday for me,” Sandeep says, “and I have gained much more confidence after meeting Olivia.” However, the rewards don’t stop with Sandeep. Olivia too feels she has gained much from the experience. When asked about the three things that she likes best about the mentorship, she says, “Meeting Sandeep, learning about how my profession works in other cultures, and it just makes me feel good!” She has also learned that she does have the knowledge and experience needed to be a mentor and has gained a greater understanding of the difficulties that internationally trained professionals face in trying to utilize their training in Canada. Congratulations Sandeep and Olivia for all your excellent hard work! You are an example to follow!

Architecture - Malena and Diana

Malena, Architectural Technician, and Diana, Architectural Technologist, don’t necessarily fit the profile of what might be seen as a “typical” mentorship match. I remember when the pair first met, the first thing that Malena said to Diana was, “You're so young!” However, it is not uncommon for Mentors to be younger than Mentees in the Host Mentoring Services program. While our Mentees may often have years of employment experience from their country of origin, they also commonly lack networks of local professionals in their field, knowledge of the Canadian workplace culture, and knowledge of local job requirements and standards.

That is where Diana comes in! While she may have about half as many years of experience as Malena, she is familiar with Architecture in the local context. She knows what skills and knowledge are required and what employers look for. Since the pair started meeting in September, their main focus has been on developing Malena’s portfolio. In the Architecture field, a portfolio containing samples of work is presented to potential employers to demonstrate the level of ability that a job applicant has. Unfortunately, most of Malena’s work was left behind in her home country, so with Diana’s guidance, she is building a portfolio from scratch!

When asked about the three things she likes best about the mentorship, Diana says, “meeting new people and helping them adjust to differences in our cultures, learning about a different country and family life, and learning how similar different cultures can be at times.” It has also been a good eye opener for her to see just how difficult it is for immigrants here in Canada.

For Malena, it has been a chance for her to really focus on her career again and share ideas with a like minded individual who has her best interests in mind. “Diana is a very nice person, and she is helping me a lot,” says Malena. Malena really values the work Diana has been doing with her on her portfolio as well as information Diana has given her about essential courses that she needs in order to be considered by employers.
 

Business - Thomas and Robert

Thomas, a local venture capitalist and founder and CEO of Mad Ventures, Inc., is a very active figure within ICA. He mentored several immigrant professionals prior to Robert and has now moved on to mentor yet another individual. He is also a member of our Board of Directors as of this year, and even so, every time I see him waiting to pick up his wife from ESL classes, he tells me, "Feel free to throw another mentee at me if you have one!"

Robert, formerly a Department Manager in an IT company, is a go getter! Since arriving to Canada in 2007, he has managed to complete his MBA at UVic, develop a business model and apply for a provisional patent, and, most recently, land a job with the Federal Government as a Management Systems Auditor all while raising a small child on his own. Wow!

Together, the two make a great team, and through their mentorship, they have formed a very strong friendship. As Thomas says, "I really feel that the relationship I've developed with Robert will truly last a lifetime."

In addition to making a new friend, both men feel that they have benefited greatly from the mentorship. One of Thomas' great goals is to put Victoria on the global technology map. "I can't do this alone," he says, "and it makes me feel good that great people like Robert will be in Victoria and helping out to make my dream possible." He also feels that he benefited greatly from learning about Robert's perspectives in approaching business and networking as well as about his life philosophies.

Robert really appreciated Thomas' open communication, warmth, and encouragement. "One thing I learned from Thomas is to THINK POSITIVELY, which really changed my style of thinking," he says. Thomas also had a profound affect on Robert's career plan. "Now," he says, "I really plan to do non-profit work in future to help other new immigrants."

As Thomas so nicely put it, "I'm sure we have a future mentor in Robert!"

Community Development - Vu and Larry

Larry is a retired Agricultural Economist and Professional Agrologist with 40 years of experience in agricultural policy and community development both in Canada and overseas. His dedication and genuine interest in the well being of his mentees make him a great asset to ICA's mentorship program, and we feel very lucky to have him.

Vu is a talented young professional with a strong background in political science and a keen interest in community and international development. He was born in Zimbabwe but had been living and working in Eastern Canada before moving to Victoria. His move westward meant that he had to rebuild his professional network and rediscover the community development field.

The mentorship program has been a great learning experience for Vu: "I've learned that there is a lot more going on in the field of community development in Victoria than I ever imagined."
Through Larry, Vu has also met many professional contacts. In his words, "my mentor has introduced me to a number of friends and colleagues who share similar interests… as a result, I have been able to build a solid network of contacts in my career field." In fact, after Larry and Vu signed on to the new "Vancouver Island Food Systems Network" together, Vu met some people at the network's founding meeting who then recommended him for a job in his field. He will begin his new position this month.
Congratulations, Vu!

As for Larry, the mentorship program gives him an opportunity to meet interesting people from around the world, reconnect with his former work colleagues, and keep up to date on what is going on in his field. He also finds satisfaction in helping his mentees to find their niche in Canada.

Perhaps the most unique part of this mentorship relates to an interesting coincidence that was discovered during one of Vu and Larry's meetings. It seems that Larry and Vu's mother volunteered for the same organization in Zambia in the early 1970's, and Larry almost certainly met Vu's parents at a party over there.Funny that almost 4 decades later, I would be matched with their son Vu as his mentor a world away in Victoria," says Larry. What a small world!