The Career Mentorship Program (CMP) matches newcomer immigrant professionals (mentees) in the Edmonton region with established professionals and local business leaders / employers (mentors) who share a similar occupational background and creates networks through real-life connections and experience.
Elizabeth Wosu, is an internationally trained lawyer with over 4 years of a combined legal, privacy and administrative work experiences. She arrived in Canada on Christmas Eve of 2019. Her goal was to find a job where she could use her previous legal skills and experience while she works towards getting her license to practice law here in Canada.
While doing some online research on how to integrate while in Canada, she came across the ERIEC organization and quickly registered for their mentorship program. Soon after the program’s orientation session, she was matched with a manager of policy development within the Government of Alberta.
“My mentor advised me on effective networking and the power of volunteering. She also reviewed my resume and my cover letters, prepared me for interviews and introduced me to people who had knowledge/experience in my profession. She also shared resources with me as well as job postings. My mentor was very flexible and was always willing to go the extra mile for me. After every one of my interviews she would encourage me”, she recalls fondly.
“During one of our mentorship meetings, my mentor told me about a job posting with the Government of Alberta and walked me through their application process. She guided me through the interview stage and then provided me a reference letter on my behalf. Towards the end of the mentorship journey with my mentor, I was offered a permanent role as an Adjudicator with the Government of Alberta.
What I really enjoyed about the ERIEC program was the informative webinars by Norquest College as well as the dedication of ERIEC staff and mentors. Despite the challenges of the COVID pandemic and the various adaptations and transitions of participating in the program online with my mentor, the program was still a success. ERIEC is a big part of my professional journey here in Canada and I would advise every new immigrant to attend this program!
If you are an immigrant professional, Permanent Resident, currently in Edmonton, and interested in ERIEC’s Mentorship and / or Connector Program, please contact the Program Assistant- Gustave Gatabazi at [email protected]
If you are an established professional or business leader looking to volunteer as a mentor or establish corporate partnerships, please contact the Program Director- Azumme Degun at [email protected]