A good article in Toronto Star:

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1101682208340&call_pageid=968350130169&col=969483202845&DPL=IvsNDS%2f7ChAX&tacodalogin=yes

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Thanks to the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council's new Mentoring Partnership program, Pandya — one of 15 people matched with mentors in a pilot phase — was connected with Poddar, a senior partner with the accounting firm Ernst & Young.

The program that matches foreign-trained professionals with mentors in related fields will be officially launched today at Manulife Financial's headquarters at 200 Bloor St. E.

Project manager Sangeeta Subramanian said the program will be delivered through 10 social agencies (four in Toronto, three each in Peel and York regions) and is expected to make 1,000 matches in its first year.

It will have a central database of up to 3,000 mentors.

The initiative, to be funded mainly by the federal government, will cost about $1 million in its inaugural year. Its ultimate success will be measured by the number of immigrants who get hired in their fields at the end of the program.

"The mentors can transfer their knowledge to you and share with you their network," Subramanian explained, adding that the screened mentors and protegés must spend 24 hours together over a four-month period to complete the program.

To volunteer to be a mentor, call the Maytree Foundation at 416-944-2627. To become a protegé, contact Jobstart in Toronto, Dixie-Bloor Neighbourhood Services in Peel or COSTI Employment Centre in York.

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A Proud Indian Canadian

You guys might be surprised to know that Mr. Poddar was the first person I had met when I had come to Canada, since the person who introduced us, felt that being a senior executive in E&Y, he could help me in my profession. I have personally known him for 4 years but after we had lunch together in our first meeting, his comments for me were - Chandresh, Canada will not be able to offer you anything in your profession because you are not only experienced in international business and finance, but also well versed in the western way of working and the Canadians will not expect you to have that. they will always be threatened by you. Moreover, your age is against you to start a new lilfe in Canada. My advice is that you should not waste your time in looking for regular salaried employment, but just think of getting into business of your own.

Today, after 4 years I feel how true his words were!

However, on the other hand, I am a bit confused after reading the newspaper report this morning. As per report, he has concentrated more on teaching Pandya soft skills, which in me he had found not to be lacking, and infact thought it will be difficult for Canadians to expect and accept that from a new immigrant from Asia. Perhaps the difference now lies only in the age - Pandya is a 30 year old guy and so Mr. Poddar rightly feels that he will be able to make a career once he has improved his soft skills!

Chandresh

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Chandresh

Advice is free – lessons I charge for!!

Chandresh,

I happened to read this article this morning on the star. Interesting.

Hope this helps us all in getting 'mentors' and 'getting re- aligned' here in Canada.

Wait and watch.

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What goes around comes around...
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A CANADIAN INDIAN

Thx for the post and the link. My suggestion would be to start something on those lines here in CD. Let's give it a shot. If it works, that's great, if not at least we tried. And this is only for desis. Dont take me wrong. Others Chinese and East Europeans have their own support groups and networks. It's the desis from desh who need the most help.

Any suggestions/ thoughts?

When we came to Canada 5 yrs back, we were on our own. There was no site such as CD or any mentoring. I wish CD was there at that time (or I missed if it was there).

It is a suggestion that we had thought of implementing about 6 months ago, but felt that CD was not mature enough to attract attention of the successful people. We are almost there and I think we should now once again start thinking about implementing it.

However, the first and foremost thing members can do is to increase the awareness of this site amongst the successful people (desis) in Canada and get them to read, and if possible to contribute to this site.

Chandresh

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Chandresh

Advice is free – lessons I charge for!!

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Orginally posted by chandresh

It is a suggestion that we had thought of implementing about 6 months ago, but felt that CD was not mature enough to attract attention of the successful people. We are almost there and I think we should now once again start thinking about implementing it.

However, the first and foremost thing members can do is to increase the awareness of this site amongst the successful people (desis) in Canada and get them to read, and if possible to contribute to this site.

Chandresh

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Try overtaking child's imagination

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Orginally posted by jago_desi

You want success people to come to this site. What about those successful people who come to this site, post their success story but hide their identity for obvious reason that they are not contacted for .........

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Chandresh

Advice is free – lessons I charge for!!