Malton Women Council offers tips, resources, and advice for newcomer women in Canada
Recently, the Youth Newcomer Jobs Portal, powered by Magnet, and the Malton Women Council (MWC) hosted the Newcomer Women in Canada webinar, which featured a discussion from guest speakers Parul Budhiraja, Founder of Passion Tutorials; Ashim Kochar, Immigration Consultant; and Uzma Asia Irfan, Executive Director of Malton Women Council. The theme for the discussion was Empowered Women, Empowered Communities, and focused on how newcomer women can cultivate a network to support each other and strengthen their community.
The panelists shared their own experiences as newcomer women in navigating their new life in Canada, discussed barriers and challenges faced by newcomer women in Canada, and shared information, resources and practical advice for newcomers to Canada.
Here are some key takeaways from the discussion:
- Reach out and connect with others. The panelists discussed not only the importance of networking, but also how impactful mentorship can be for newcomers to Canada. Mentors and network contacts can help connect you to resources, information, courses and more.
- Remember to prioritize your work. There will undoubtedly be many things to juggle as a newcomer to Canada, but the panelists reminded attendees of the importance of prioritizing their own work. Spend time developing your skills, taking courses, working on your resume, doing your homework, and looking into what it is you want to do for your career. This will help keep you on the right track.
- It will be tough, but you’re tougher. Don’t feel discouraged or stressed by the process or having to get additional credentials. Keep following your dreams and doing the work, it’ll be worth it in the end when you find a job that’s in line with your passion.
While it can be difficult for newcomers to Canada to find jobs, volunteering can be a good alternative. Uzma pointed out that volunteering work not only gives back to those in your community, but is good work experience for you to add to your resume.
Youth who have immigrated to Canada can register for a free account with the Youth Newcomer Jobs Portal, where they can access free services including resume support, job search strategies, interview preparation, career planning, connections to employers who are hiring and more.
The Malton Women Council also has resources on their website for newcomers to Canada, including:
Powered by Magnet, the Youth Newcomer Jobs Portal connects young newcomers to job opportunities and resources related to settlement, job training, and more. Learn more about this initiative and how to get involved at YNJP.ca.