As every newcomer I was ready to start my professional career and get my first job as soon as possible; but I soon realized that, as I have heard before coming to Canada, getting a professional job here was not going to be easy. Sometimes you find yourself asking: Why is this happening to me? I have the qualifications, I am willing and eager to work and I am sure that any employer will realize what a good asset I am... if they only give me the opportunity. You find yourself in a circle that looks pretty difficult to break: you don’t have Canadian experience so you don’t get a job, but without a job how you can get the Canadian experience that you need so badly? I know how frustrating it is to be looking for a job and don’t get any answer, not even the opportunity for an interview. I was at that point without knowing what else to do when I meet Valerie through a job search workshop for newcomers at the Goodwill Employment Centre. She told a group of us about the Mentorship program and how she could help us get a co-op placement or a volunteer position and how this could help us start our professional career here in Canada. I decided to give it a try; anyway I didn’t have anything to lose and a lot to win if it worked out.   However, the people doing the workshop with me didn’t feel the same way; there was a clear difference between me and them at that time. I had spent 8 months looking for a job without any results and they were without jobs for only 1 or 2 months being new immigrants.  Yet they were not willing to take a step back in order to start their careers here in Canada.   8 months without a job was a long time. I was already looking for entry level positions even though I had experience as a supervisor back in my country (Spain). Valerie found me a co-op placement at a major national media corporation, as an HR Assistant for two months and I took it and I am glad that I did. It wasn’t only a great experience, it actually took me out of that circle, it gave me Canadian experience and I was finally moving on the right track. My supervisor liked my work and at the end of the two months thanks to his recommendation, I got a contract position within the organization as an HR Assistant, only this time I was earning a salary and not a stipend. I stayed with the organization for over a year and I even applied and got a position as an HR Representative. This experience helped me in more than one way. I have friends within my field, I have references from managers here in Canada and of course I have Canadian experience. I am thankful for all the support and help that I received and I totally recommend the program.  

Erika A.