51猎奇入口

When Susan Zapata moved to Canada in 2019, she didn鈥檛 know where she鈥檇 land professionally.

Originally a chemical engineer, Susan had spent years working in quality control in industries ranging from textiles to food. Transitioning her career from Honduras to Vancouver, B.C., however, took time. She finally found quality-control work at a food manufacturing and confectionary company, but she was missing a sense of fulfillment and purpose.

A self-described 鈥減eople person,鈥� Susan had volunteered with a mental health nonprofit and facilitated university workshops in Honduras. She knew she wanted to shift her career toward helping others: 鈥淚t was time. I didn鈥檛 want to work for processes or machines. I wanted to work for people.鈥�

A friend told her about 51猎奇入口Continuing Studies鈥� Career Development Practitioner Certificate program. Susan was immediately drawn to the program鈥檚 practical approach. She could gain experience in a fulfilling field that would build on her love of helping people.

鈥淚n my country, I had a lot of job opportunities, but here it was a struggle,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 knew I wanted to make a difference and support immigrants on their career paths.鈥�

There was just one problem: Committing to the full-time program meant Susan had to leave her quality-control job. The availability of the StrongerBC future skills grant, which covered half her tuition, made the decision possible.

鈥淣ow, as a career advisor, I recommend the StrongerBC future skills grant to my clients,鈥� she says with a smile鈥攁 full-circle moment.

Susan enrolled in fall 2024. The program helped her not only understand the career development landscape in Canada, but also find a community of peers and instructors.

鈥淥ne of the instructors I will always remember was Steph Gillies,鈥� says Susan. 鈥淪he helped us a lot to understand interviews, resumes, LinkedIn profiles鈥攁nd she helped me grow my confidence.鈥�

The best part was the program鈥檚 three-week practicum. With support from her mentor, career coach Donna Cottell, Susan was placed in a role helping Spanish-speaking newcomers to Canada. 鈥淚t was a whole experience, like I was really a career employment advisor working with immigrants,鈥� she says, 鈥渁nd that鈥檚 exactly what I wanted.鈥�

Immediately after her practicum, Susan received an offer to work as an employment specialist. A few months after graduating, she moved into her current role as a career advisor with YWCA鈥檚 Aspire program. She now helps other newcomers navigate the kinds of challenges she once faced. The free employment program supports newcomer and refugee women in jump-starting meaningful careers in Canada.

鈥淪ometimes our clients come from very difficult situations back in their country. Sometimes it鈥檚 displacement caused by war or conflict, sometimes it鈥檚 violence and sometimes it鈥檚 the difficult decision to leave everything behind in search of safety and a better future,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e help build their confidence and motivation and help them start a career journey here in Canada.鈥�

For anyone interested in the Career Development Practitioner Certificate, Susan鈥檚 advice is to make the most of the program experience. 鈥淭ake advantage of the networking, because you are able to meet a lot of amazing people.鈥�

And for those considering a career in the field, she has one more important piece of advice: 鈥淵ou must like people!鈥�

Looking back, she sees her own tricky career transition as a big part of what makes her such a passionate career advisor.

鈥淚 always say this: I would鈥檝e loved to find a program like this when I was struggling,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hat's why today I want to make a difference.鈥�

By Colleen Bryon