Show Up and Show Out: Lessons Learned from IGNITE’s ISP
During the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) International Students Orientation Week in August 2024, I met Katelyn Forbes, the International Success Coach assigned to the NBCC Fredericton Campus. She recommended that I look out for any IGNITE program that may interest me as they provide high-quality programs for newcomers to the province.
And sure enough, as soon as I saw one of my NBCC instructors post that applications were open for the Integration Success Program (ISP) offered through IGNITE, I reviewed the goals of the program, realized it would suit me well, and immediately applied. I got an interview and was selected as one of the 20 individuals accepted to cohort 4 of the program. (I believe there were close to 50 applicants).
ISP is a workforce skills development program for international students. Cohort 4 ran for six (6) weeks starting October 15, 2024. As a participant, you were required to attend at least 90% of the twice-weekly in-person sessions to be eligible to graduate. There were 5 weeks of guest experts-led sessions and one week where participants presented their takeaways and graduation. I made sure not to miss any of the sessions, and those 6 weeks have been life-changing as a newcomer to Canada.
IGNITE’s ISP was certainly designed to help newcomers integrate successfully. The sessions perfectly targeted the areas where I had the most questions and covered topics I had not considered, which would have eventually proven challenging in the long run. The ISP program offered insights from Canadians and Immigrants alike, and the range of speakers and topics was just what I needed. The presenters were well-chosen, and all left positive impressions. They imparted knowledge I know I’ll be revisiting repeatedly. The presenters were also very welcoming and approachable, and invited us to connect with them on and off LinkedIn, offering to assist us in any way possible.
10 lessons learned from the Integration Success Program (in no particular order)
Despite how the lessons are presented below, the value of these presentations can in no way be captured in one or two sentences. But it can give you a gist of the overall themes I took away from each presentation.
Topic: Culture, Engagement, Opportunities
Presenter: Erica Ward
Lesson: Understanding and adapting to the local workplace culture results in better outcomes.
Topic: The Power of Public Speaking
Presenter: Terri-Ann Richards
Lesson: ‘I said it. I did it.’ Confidence is built through competence. I will build confidence in myself by doing what I say I’m going to do.
Topic: Career Preparation Workshop
Presenter: Erin Feicht
Lesson: Focus on the employer’s needs and demonstrate how my abilities and values align with the company’s. Use the STAR method in answering interview questions. (I do believe I did this quite well when I interviewed for and was accepted for a Client Service Professional position with H&R Block.)
Topic: Goal Setting and Vision Boarding
Presenter: Alaba Olawunmi
Lesson: I cannot feature in a future I did not picture. I completed my vision board and is actively working on it.
Topic: Drinking from a Firehose: Task Management & Project Planning
Presenter: Duncan Gallant
Lesson: Willpower is a muscle. Train it. Use the tools that work for you to focus on what matters every day.
Topic: Unlocking Your Future: The Power of Networking, Coaching & Mentorship
Presenter: Nicholson O. Aleke
Lesson: Create value from and for your connections.
Topic: Building a Healthy Credit History & Credit Cards
Presenter: Dawn & Lindsey
Lesson: I have to be intentional in what I do to build a strong credit history.
Topic: Personal Branding for Newcomers
Presenter: Sophia Etuhube
Lesson: If I do not brand myself, someone else will. I’m working on my brand here and my brand as a professional copywriter for coaches, consultants, and service providers.
Topic: Leadership Development & Emotional Intelligence
Presenter: Adedoyin Tope Daramola
Lesson: Focus on what is in my control and let go of the rest. Self-reflect to develop my self-confidence.
Topic: Culture & Cross-Cultural Communication
Presenter: Shahram, Ghanban
Lesson: Change is inevitable; Growth is optional.
3 Key Takeaways from IGNITE ISP 2024
Based on the sessions, I started working on three areas, being visible, networking, and continuing to adapt.
1. Show up and show off
This is a statement that Sophia loves, and I’m adapting to my life going forward. Self-confidence is key, and I need to be active in showcasing my talents. I updated my online profiles (including this personal website) to build and market my brand effectively based on where I want to be and what I want to accomplish over the course of the next 5 years.
2. Your network is your net worth
I am working from a blank slate. Be active in the local and online communities to make connections, not just for myself but also so I can help others.
3. Adapt or Fail
I have a lot to offer. However, I need to learn and adapt to the Canadian workplace culture to ensure I can be successful in the job market. Adapting to the culture leads to better outcomes.
An investment with long-term rewards
Doyin, Manager, Integration & Retention at IGNITE, and Chiamaka, the Integration & Retention Coordinator, were extremely supportive and worked to motivate us throughout the program. You could feel their dedication to the ISP program and its attendees. I love how they tried to bring together cohort members of all the programs so we could continue networking while having fun.
Finally, one key question I was able to get answered was how to present myself when I have diverse interests. I am a freelance copywriter, but I also love my work as a client service professional and project manager. How would I meld the two seemingly disparate worlds as one? Now, I’m more comfortable with showcasing both aspects of who I am, a Black female copywriter and a client service professional/project manager.
Indeed, I am grateful for the level of thought that went into coordinating the program and delivering something so practical and immediately actionable. If you are a newcomer to Canada and interested in learning from an organization that will support you, apply for one or more of the IGNITE programs that interest you.
