It’s a dream for any event planner if a participant answering the question on the evaluation form, “What worked well?” responds with “Everything!" We were very pleased to read this again on some of the evaluation forms from our last Speed Career Networking (SCN) event for Engineering Professionals which took place on Thursday, September 19th, 2013 in the World Trade Centre, Edmonton.
There were 34 internationally trained professionals (ITP) Engineers who attended the event and 12 mentors representing many of our employer champions from Edmonton: Jacobs, Stantec, Enbridge, Worley Parsons, TELUS and ACAMP.
A very special and warm “Thank You” to these partners who made this event possible!
Here are some additional survey comments from mentees to the question, “What worked well?”:
- “Very helpful information and valuable advice”;
- “Great opportunity to meet people from the civil engineering industry”;
- “Networking with professional experts”;
- “Exposure in real Canadian engineering”;
- “Was a great opportunity to network”;
- “Information from guys actually working for big companies: inside information”;
- “Excellent conversation opportunity;
- “Made us think positive about finding a job. It gives me a confidence in my job search and keeps the light on”;
- “Great, useful”.
One of the mentee participants wrote to one of the mentor employers: “Thank you for the great opportunity and all useful information that you gave us today at ERIEC event. It was a real pleasure meeting such understanding and respected persons like yourself, and for the precious time that you spent with us today, will definitely help us establishing our future career in this city”.
Participants also provided suggestions, such as: “More employers. More companies’ representatives. We will need more time. Maybe this should happen once a month and on weekends”.
Someone suggested that “Employers should come with intention to hire”. At the orientation sessions which I deliver to participants prior to the event, I usually emphasize that these events are not intended to be a ‘career fair’ or job recruitment opportunity. However, the practical information and career tips provided by professional insiders at these sessions do help mentees build and develop their future career in Canada.
Employers shared with me that they were amazed with the qualifications and potential of ITPs and that they have had such great experience to offer. As one engineering mentor put it:”… it is challenging, and at other times rewarding. Well done on the Speed Networking session!