CCIS’ Youth Hub clients had an amazing time at our youth networking event this morning as they discussed the topic, “How to brand ourselves in the workplace” During the event, our youth clients explored the importance of genuine conversations and building authentic relationships, including through professional social media platforms like LinkedIn.

The session concluded with an engaging mock interview session, where participants faced surreal questions designed to spark creative thinking and encourage them to step outside conventional boundaries.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our guest speakers, Denys Smushko, Maryam Barmala, and Sibi Sadasivam. They shared their own journeys and gave examples in their professional workplace about the importance of professional branding but also equipped our newcomer youth with essential tools for success in their careers. We are grateful for their contribution to empowering the next generation of professionals.

This enlightening presentation, tailored for youth immigrants at CCIS (Calgary Catholic Immigration Society), delved deep into the challenges of adapting to Canadian workplace culture within larger corporations. Our keynote speaker, Dionne Smith-Castellano, a seasoned Talent Acquisition Specialist, Programs and Standards expert at PCKC, brought her own immigrant experience into the spotlight. Dionne's personal journey provided a relatable and inspiring backdrop for her informative insights.

Throughout the presentation, Dionne shared real-life examples of the challenges encountered as an immigrant in the Canadian corporate landscape and how she overcame them. Her firsthand experiences shed light on key topics such as workplace etiquette, communication norms, effective teamwork, and navigating the path to career growth. 

This presentation was an invaluable resource for young immigrants seeking to not only understand but thrive within the Canadian work culture, arming them with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the professional landscape successfully.

CCIS’ Youth Hub clients had an amazing time at our youth networking event this morning as they discussed the topic, “Creating meaningful connections: How to turn your network into your net worth.”The event which took place in CCIS’ Northwest Office explored the importance of genuine conversations and building authentic relationships, including through professional social media platforms like LinkedIn.

A big thank you to our guest speaker Denys Smushko, Manager of Business Development for Newcomers at RBC for sharing valuable insights and empowering our newcomer youth with the tools they need for success in their careers .

If you missed out on this event, don't worry! There will be more opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals.

"Despite popular opinion, networking is not about meeting every person in the room and giving your perfectly practiced elevator pitch. Your time is too valuable to spend on outdated methods like this. The key is to engage in real conversations and develop meaningful connections. Getting real results from networking requires taking the time to build relationships first." – Forbes

When people know one another well, they are much more likely to work well together. Hence, knowing how to build relationships is a valuable skill.

Many employees spend more of their waking hours with co-workers than they do with their families. As such, it is important for young employees to learn and understand the importance of building quality relationships with their co-workers. Better work relationships improve Teamwork and Collaboration, Employee Morale, and Productivity.

Our guest speaker, Homa gave an insightful presentation on the importance of fostering authentic connections in the workplace for young professionals. She is a Human Resources Professional with a track record of effectively managing personnel and ensuring effective compliance in general office administration. She holds a bachelor’s degree in law, and has experience in contract reviews and analysis, conflict de-escalation, negotiation and mediation and employee retention.

Together, we explored the importance of developing meaningful work relationships though various situational examples. Understanding the importance of building relationships in the workplace can help advance young professionals' careers and make work more enjoyable for them. 

Guest Speaker: Homa Dimkpa, Talent Acquisition Specialist at Intercare Corporate Group

This week, we had a transformative youth networking event at CCIS, presented in collaboration with RBC. During this session, Denys and his team delved into the complexities of Canadian workplace culture and unlocked the secrets to job search success for immigrant youth in Calgary.

Together, we explored the importance of understanding Canadian workplace culture and its impact on career opportunities, as well as how to build our own brand when we start working. Partnered with RBC, a leading financial institution committed to empowering immigrant communities, this session offered a unique opportunity to connect with successful newcomer professionals. Our Guest speakers shared their stories as new immigrants, and their expertise, providing practical tips and strategies for success in the Canadian job market.

At the end of the event, we practiced some interview questions, and how to market our brand to future employers. All participants were engaged and took meaningful notes to use for their job search and building their brand in Canada!

Event Date: June 20, 2023

Last month, we had the successful youth networking event in collaboration with the esteemed University of Calgary, represented by Vanessa Dang, Student Recruitment Specialist, Community Engagement. This event highlighted the importance of education for immigrant youth in Canada and its impact on better employment opportunities.

The University of Calgary, known for its inclusivity and diversity, showcased tailored programs, resources, and support systems for immigrant students. Vanessa shared personal experiences as a former UofC student, and capus life, emphasizing education as a stepping stone to fulfilling careers.

The event instilled hope and determination by emphasizing the link between education and employment opportunities. Immigrant youth left equipped with skills to overcome barriers and create a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

This collaboration with the University of Calgary set the stage for educational excellence and professional success. Immigrant youth were encouraged to realize their potential and make positive impacts in their chosen fields.

We extend our gratitude to participants, the presenter, and the University of Calgary for their support. Together, we've paved the way for a brighter tomorrow, empowering immigrant youth through education and unlocking countless opportunities.

"Technical capabilities can only take you so far in your career. To really soar, you need skills that are harder to measure but critical to success." Forbes, 2022

At the beginning of July, we had an remarkable youth networking session at CCIS, presented by Suvarna Deshmukh, MBA (HR) Human Relations Coordinator at The Salvation Army Community Services (Calgary). Suvarna is a huge people-person with over 7 years of international and multicultural experience in Human Resources, Office Administration, and Customer Service. She has quick adaptability to changes, passion for creativity and a strong emotional intelligence which enables her to perform effectively in an ever-evolving workspace. Outside of work, it highly interests her to volunteer as it gives an opportunity to contribute her bit to the community.

Together, we explored the importance of understanding soft skills and their impact on career opportunities and growth in Canadian job market, as well as how to build our own brand at work when we start working.

Today, our young professionals had the opportunity to learn from Katia Milrad Segal, our savvy carrer advisor and human resources specialist insightful information about emerging sectors, growing industries and new and in-high demand jobs in 2022!

Our attendees started by learning different strategies to recognize their top skills, accomplishments, needs and wants, and identifying the jobs that are a best fit for them. Our participants also learned tips on how to network online effectively using their linkedin profiles.

It was a very well rounded session that definitely brought incredible value to each and every one of our CCIS young professionals.

May 25, 2022

Financial Minfulness

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Dennis Smushko, RBC Branch Manager Assistant & Financial Advisor

As we know, the lack of financial literacy can lead to pitfalls one may never be able to recover from and it can be extremely detrimental to a person's long-term financial success. Therefore, during this event, our talented keynote speaker Dennis Smushko, RBC Branch Manager Assistant & Financial Advisor, shared his financial expertise with an outstanding and very comprehensive presentation to get started our participants in their right foot for a financial mindfulness’ journey.

PANELISTS:

• Mary McCoy – Recruitment and Event Specialist, SAIT
• Victoria Wells - Bow Valley College
• Gillian Chan – Student Recruitment Advisor, University of Calgary
• Morgan Loberg – International Recruitment Office, Mount Royal University
• Madeleine Golubev – Head of Community Engagement, GrantMe

The global labour market is experiencing a rapid change. Job seekers will have to acquire a broad set of skills that will help them survive a fast-changing job market.

In the present times, one is expected to have extensive and expansive knowledge about their field of expertise. Contemporary vocational career paths such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Sciences, Clean Energies, Mind Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, etc. are now coming into the mainstream and this has paved way for universities to open specialized programs as a major component of their curriculum.

Our clients gained knowledge about the various programs that universities provide and about funding their education with GrantMe.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:  Immaculate Byaruhanga, Business Relationship Manager and Future Launch Ambassador, RBC

“Great early career experiences help build a foundation for success, a stronger future for young people, and a more prosperous Canada for all of us.” RBC Launching Careers Playbook

Whether you're a new graduate or career changer, starting a career takes a lot of motivation and energy. However, as a result of significant changes in the business ecosystem, professionals must reframe their duties and responsibilities, as well as their contribution to their work and society at large.

Whether one is just starting out in a new field or starting their first job, it's vital to recognize that this is a critical period of transition. There is a lot to learn whether you are transitioning into a new work environment and culture or learning the ropes of working a typical nine to five.

Our keynote speaker for the event, Immaculate Byaruhanga, Business Relationship Manager and Future Launch Ambassador at RBC shared her in-depth knowledge on the best ways to recognize change, educate, and grow ahead of time to be successful. She discussed how to detect changes in the labour market and the necessity of being digitally literate, showing human skills, and continuing to learn new skills throughout one's life.

PANELISTS:

1. Sara Struthers – Individual learner Services Manager, SAIT

2. Lida Goldchteine – Vizualization Developer at AutoCanada

3. Ana Barbara Piza – Biomedical Engineer at Abbott Laboratories

4. Ajay Sahai – Medical Researcher

PANELISTS:

• Patricia Martinez – Financial Advisor, Edward Jones
• Jodie Moffatt – Financial Empowerment Facilitator, Momentum
• Hoda Ahmadi - Regional Sales Director Specialized Networks- Mortgage Development at National Bank of Canada (Alberta)
• Dan Arciaga, Banking Advisor, National Bank of Canada
• Nazia Zeb-Sharif, Mortgage Development Manager, National Bank of Canada

Financial products and services have become more widely available in society in recent years. Credit products such as credit cards, mortgages, and student loans have grown in popularity, as have other investment products such as health insurance and self-directed investment accounts. This has made it imperative for people to understand how to use them responsibly.

Although numerous skills can be classified as financial literacy, some everyday examples include household budgeting, learning how to manage and pay off debts, and evaluating the trade-offs between credit and investment products.

The lack of financial literacy can lead to pitfalls one may never be able to recover from. Financially illiterate individuals are more prone to accumulating unsustainable debt burdens that can lead to poor credit, bankruptcy, housing foreclosure, and many other negative consequences. Given the importance of finance in modern society, a lack of financial literacy can be extremely detrimental to a person's long-term financial success.

Results from the 2019 survey by the Canadian Financial Capability Survey indicate that nearly three-quarters of Canadians (73.2%) have some type of outstanding debt or used a payday loan at some point over the past 12 months (see also Statistics Canada, 2017). Almost one third (31%) believe they have too much debt.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:  Immaculate Byaruhanga, Business Relationship Manager and Future Launch Ambassador, RBC

As a professional, building meaningful connections through networking and personal interactions with other professionals is a significant step toward success. Your personal brand image is key to cementing these interactions into a loyal clientele and collaboration network. An authentic, sincere personal brand creates a lasting impression.

Personal branding refers to the process of establishing your public persona for your target audience. It involves carefully and accurately communicating your values, beliefs, goals, and purpose. Effective personal branding will differentiate you from the competition and allow you to build trust with prospective clients and employers.

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon quotes “Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.”

Whether you are an employee or entrepreneur, cultivating a personal brand has become more important than ever. It is imperative that you show the best version of you always, as it can be the “make it or break it” aspect of your career.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:  Immaculate Byaruhanga, Business Relationship Manager and Future Launch Ambassador, RBC

“Being Future Ready is the idea of an individual consistently getting ready. It is the ability to morph into what is going on in the world now. It is not only valuing the past but looking toward the future and what you really want to do.”

-Janet Iko for educatorinnovator.org

Profound changes in the business ecosystem require professionals to redefine their roles & responsibilities, and contribution to their work and society at large.

Experts believe that a fourth industrial revolution is around the corner and they’re calling it Industrial 4.0. It is anticipated that the fourth industrial revolution will have a major impact on the working lives of people in entry-level jobs and all the way up the ladder.

PANELISTS: Awoh Bemah Nsafoah, Banking Advisor at RBC Meeting Place

                       David Nguyen, Student Advisor at RBC

LinkedIn can be a wonderful marketing tool if used the right way. Simply having a profile isn’t going to suffice anymore – you have to make sure that your profile gets noticed and you are known for skills you have acquired all this while.

LinkedIn, when used effectively, helps you connect with professionals around the world and gives you access to hidden opportunities. Your LinkedIn profile is your career story in short and hence it needs to be compelling.

Our panellist of expert speakers was able to share in-depth knowledge about LinkedIn. They discussed the different aspects of LinkedIn and how to become more visible to employers through having an engaging, relevant and active profile. The participants gained confidence about job search and networking on LinkedIn through this networking event.