Niagara This Week - St. Catharines

ST. CATHARINES Chris Zhu wants all newcomers to experience the supports hes had since arriving in Canada.Zhu was a business professional in China, but came to North America several years ago.

He eventually earning a Masters in economics in the U.S. in 2010, just before coming to Canada three years ago. He got engaged in newcomers programs at Niagara College, and it was there that he learned about the Niagara Immigrant Connections Initiative, a program offered by Niagara Immigrant Employment Council to establish mentoring relationships between local businesses and internationally trained professionals.

Its tough for new immigrants, Zhu said of navigating the world to the workplace. (With mentoring) you learn from people and about the working environment and culture.

Hoping to find an opportunity in the financial world, Zhu forged a mentoring partnership which lasts about six to eight weeks with Mary Margaret Murphy, a branch manager with Meridian Credit Union. Working alongside her on everything from mock job interviews to resume building to networking at Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce and Rotary events, he said it instilled a whole new world of confidence and encouragement in him, and helped him established networks with Niagara professionals.

Zhu said the program is one that significantly helped him earn his job with Investors Group as a consultant. He said he was able to use the experience he had from China, and build on it to find a job he was passionate about.

Its easy to find an entry-level job and stay, but we need the skills (newcomers have to offer), said Zhu of the importance of the mentorship program.

The Niagara the Connections Initiative, funded by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration and the federal government, has established 180 mentoring relationships.

Murphy has been involved with the program for four years and is proud to help newcomers like Zhu follow their goals and dreams.

You see them grow so much over the weeks especially their confidence, said Murphy, noting the one-hour sessions cover a wide variety of topics. You have a real appreciation for some of the struggles of immigrants coming to the country, and its very rewarding to help them achieve the success they seek.

Excerpt from:
Making connections for employment