Published August 17, 2022 • 5 Min Read
Achēv briefed us on the culture, how to prepare for interviews, how to update our resumes and cover letters, and how to negotiate our salaries. They let us know if any openings came up or if there were any job fairs and scheduled interviews. Even though it was a class of 20 students, everybody got individual attention. [callout content=’RBC Foundation supports programming and initiatives like Achēv's Elevate program, which helps newcomer women participants (aged 18-45) who face significant barriers in establishing their careers in Canada.As newcomers, we worry about acceptance. What people think of you is your major concern. In the Achēv program, everyone was a newcomer.
Learn how RBC helps newcomers settle faster and meet our team of Newcomer Advisors across the country.
‘ display=”all” position=”right”] We also had speakers and program alumni who came to share what they’d learned. There were English classes for people who had difficulty with the language. I took a couple of technical classes and work-culture classes. It’s a very open culture here, and people also understand your personal life, which I like. It surprised me in a very good way.![A](https://silver.rbcroyalbank.com/en-ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/08/20220701_114707-scaled-21.jpg)
Entering the Canadian workforce
It took me a while to enter the workforce because I had some inhibitions, but Teresa from Achēv kept me motivated. At first, I wasn’t getting calls for interviews, which is hard. You’ve left your country, come to a new country, and you wonder: what’s going on? You start questioning yourself. You know, anybody can come from anywhere and start working, but as a civil engineer, you must get a certificate and a license to work in Canada. I really felt supported. I ended up getting a job but was let go during COVID. I didn’t have a job for a year and a half, but Teresa continued to help me even though the bridging program was over. I told her I was laid off, and she started sending me information on different programs, seminars, and job fairs. I’m working towards my P. Eng, but I also have a management background, and I’m a PMP, EIT, and LEED certified professional. So I just started applying online, using all the keywords and everything they taught us in the program. Then I was hired by the City of Oakville — without any work references. Getting a job without references is difficult, especially in a government organization. They said it was based on my abilities and resume.Being a new Canadian
When we first arrived, we lived in a condo, and now we’ve moved to a house. We have a few friends from the same community and some from my office who are Canadian. Plus, there are many festivals and community centres in Mississauga. My husband didn’t have the challenges I had with employment, but for him, the challenge was the weather. We come from a hot country, and here it’s much colder most of the time.![A](https://silver.rbcroyalbank.com/en-ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2023/08/20220612_122545-scaled-21.jpg)
RBC actively supports organizations like Achēv, which helps newcomers develop critical skills, connect to mentors and expand their professional networks. Creating a positive social impact is integral to how we do business.
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