Salwa is an internationally educated professional with over nine years of experience in luxury event planning and business management. She has also coordinated the royal family weddings in Saudi Arabia and has successfully managed events with budgets of over $7 million. Salwa has faced and overcome many hurdles in her professional life but moving to Canada and getting a job that valued her skills and experience seemed like an almost impossible task at times.
This is Salwa’s story.
International business and event manager finds success
I first connected with the YMCA Employment & Immigrant Services office in January when I was starting my job search in a new country. I am an internationally trained individual with extensive experience in business, marketing and special events planning. Four months later, what initially seemed like a dream—the desire to get back into my field here in Canada—has come true. Thanks to the team at the YMCA.
Since the beginning, the YMCA team were like my guardian angels in Canada. They held my hand from day one and walked with me all the way to my goal of getting back into a rewarding career in a new country.
The team also helped expand my understanding of the job market and labour market and changed my approach to job searching. They were with me through every step of my job search journey, showed appreciation, and placed value on my accumulated experience from other countries. They not only helped me find the right path, but also helped me focus on what I was searching for, and in the process, set me up for success.
Kelly, whom I first communicated with in Employment Services, helped submit my resume and promptly introduced me to Stephan, the Employment Coach.
Stephan then helped me to develop a solid, professional, and impressive resume and cover letter as per standards.
I also completed a free Language Assessment with the YMCA’s CLARS center. Rachel, my assessor, asked me about my career goals in Canada and later connected me Iris, the Career Coach.
Calling my experience “a hidden treasure”, Iris saw my capabilities and potential right away. She helped me focus on my experience, strengths, and qualifications. Iris not only helped create a pathway but also narrowed down potential employment sectors where I could excel. We elected to focus on Event Management. For me, truthfully, this was my ultimate dream.
Iris left no stone unturned and used all accessible sources and connections with employers. And when I wasn’t being shortlisted for interviews, Iris kept encouraging, motivating, and reassuring me. It all came at a time when I was beginning to doubt my skills and abilities.
Finally, my resume found its way to Vintage Inns. I was called in for an interview right away. A few days later, I got the call saying I got the job! After just four months of working with the YMCA and interacting with my guardian angels, I was able to secure the position of Special Events Manager at The Pillar & Post Hotel, one of the most reputed, respected, and luxurious hotels in the area.
I cannot describe my happiness at getting this job: in my favourite field of business, and at a management level. At one time, it felt hopeless and unachievable. Now as I look back, it feels as if the team transformed me. I feel like a caterpillar that transformed into a butterfly that is now happily returning to its natural habitat.
Achieving my career goal within such a remarkably short period, the team at the Y exceeded all my expectations. To summarise my experience with YMCA Employment & Immigrant Services: It was simply incredible.
I had all the best interest, care and the service. The team brought out the best of me and my experience and helped to improve and develop professionally. They are a very humble, helpful, pure and honest team. They never let me feel down nor did they make me feel I was alone. Rather, they kept working with me very hard and offered support till the very end. It genuinely felt like my own family.
All said, they really made my dream come true. Thank you, YMCA Team!