Fahad Mughal is not one of those people you will hear grumbling about work. Quite the opposite, he is grateful for the job he has working for the City of Edmonton as a business analyst in the Current Planning Branch. Most of all, he is happy that his dream of making a life for himself, his wife and his two boys, in Canada is finally a reality.
His journey, like many in life, wasn’t without its trials. His first attempt to settle in Canada, more specifically Toronto, failed as he wasn’t able to find work. He had no choice but to go back home to Pakistan. Fahad wasn’t going to have his dream end there though. He knew Canada would be the perfect place to raise his family.
He got his break when he learned of funding through the Immigrant Access Fund, which allowed him to study part-time for his Certified Business Analyst Professional (CBAP) designation, while working 60 hours a week as a security/surveillance officer.
“I have not forgotten there were people along the way who took the time to care,” says Fahad, adding that he wants to pay it forward. So, he volunteered with ERIEC which runs a mentorship program in partnership with the City of Edmonton.
“The mentorship program has enabled me to refine my leadership skills; it also satisfies my need of helping mankind, knowing that I can make a difference in people’s life which will have a positive impact on their future is a great feeling. I am astonished to learn how diverse and qualified is Alberta’s work force is.” Fahad mentors people who are new to Canada, assisting them with preparing for interviews, reviewing their resumes, giving them industry insight and explaining Canadian workplace culture. Fahad’s passion for mentoring comes from “knowing what it’s like to come to a new country.”
On his days off and in the evenings he also assists these newcomers with finding temporary work, grocery shopping, locating a place to worship, and using public transit. For the past two years, he has worked with seven families getting them settled in Edmonton.
He recalls what his grandmother taught him, “If you are doing something good, it will come back to you. So when I see that I am blessed, and I know of somebody who needs help, then I think I should help them.”