SCWIST

Immigrating Women in Science (IWIS)

IWIS Committee

The 2009-2010 IWIS Committee is as follows:

Gülnur Birol – Committee Chair
Carla Beak – Strategic Planning
Mayu Ishida – Resources
Shabnam Rostamirad – Volunteers

About IWIS

The Immigrating Women in Science Project (IWIS) is for you if you are looking for a network of women, both locally and internationally trained, who are currently working in science, engineering and technology.

The IWIS program was created by the Society for Women in Science and Technology. Its aim is to support immigrating professional women in science, engineering and technology. While many women are able to find resources for basic job search skills, language and settlement issues, IWIS’s mission is to address a need for the development of a community for immigrant women in science where they can share their experience, seek advice and broaden their network.

IWIS’s main focus is hosting events that bring women together to share experiences and learn relevant skills.

Networking Events are evenings consisting of mingling and speeches. Speakers can either be immigrant women who tell their stories and offer general advice and inspiration, or they can be employers (immigrant or not) who offer employment advice.

Skill Development Events include “how to network” seminar, “scientific resume writing” seminar, industry specific resume editing/mentorship program, role playing interview practice.

The program also offers resources and a monthly newsletter. These are designed to help internationally trained women with the challenges and barriers they face in starting and building their careers in Canada.

Our Mission

To increase discussion about the issues faced by immigrating professional women in SET careers, including the barriers to starting and advancing careers.
To create a network of women in SET careers that includes women who are locally and internationally trained in order to provide mentorship and collective support.

IWIS Reources

IWIS Info Package
Handbook.pdf

IWIS Blog
Blog Site

Volunteer with ISSofBC’s Mentoring Connections Program

Helping skilled immigrants in your field do what they do best!

Mentoring Connections is a dynamic initiative at Immigrant Services Society of BC that brings together Vancouver-area professionals (mentors) and talented immigrants (mentees) from the same professional area. The goal of the program is to ease the transition of skilled immigrants into the Canadian workforce with the help of experienced volunteer mentors. Mentors are not expected or required to find employment for their mentees, rather offer career-focused advice and encouragement.

Newly arrived skilled immigrants bring rich professional and life experiences to Canada. However, with limited local industry knowledge and connections their professional start in a new country can be a daunting challenge. As a mentor, you can make a tremendous difference by offering industry specific advice to your mentee.

Who is a Mentoring Connections mentor?

You have at least 5 years of experience in your industry;
You value diversity and are interested in learning about other cultures;
You are a successful Vancouver-area professional who is always looking for ways to teach, learn and grow;
You are available meet for 2-4 hours per month, for a minimum of 3 months with one mentee.

The program continually has internationally-trained professionals in science and technology referred to us with diverse professional backgrounds, looking for a volunteer mentor in their field. To find out how you or someone you know can help, please contact Catherine Rana or Veronica Heringer at Mentoring Connections at 604.637.1307 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

FAQs

Q: Who would I be mentoring?
A: Mentees (skilled immigrants) with Mentoring Connections have an upper-intermediate to advanced level of English, and have been in Canada for 5 years or less. They have professional work experience and/or educations in their home countries, and intend to get back into the same or similar fields in Canada. Mentees lack Canadian work experience in their fields and are currently underemployed or unemployed. They are highly motivated to gain industry knowledge (not just a job!) and have competed basic industry research in Canada. They are looking for a mentor to provide industry-specific information and guidance.

Q: How is success defined in Mentoring Connections? Is the mentorship about getting my mentee a job?
A: The goal of Mentoring Connections is to provide the mentee with information and guidance that will support him/her in entering the labour market in his/her profession. When a mentee tells us that the mentorship was useful for career development and that he/she is more confident with his/her job search, we believe that is a success! While we do hope this information will assist your mentee in securing a job, it is not an expectation.

Q: What kinds of topics would I discuss with my mentee?
A: Mentors discuss topics such as industry trends, job search strategies, networking, resumes, job interviews, Canadian workplace culture, licensing and accreditation and skills upgrading. A list of suggested topics and activities will be provided to the mentor and mentee before the mentorship begins, along with an orientation session for both participants.

Q: What is the time commitment?
A: Participants are asked to commit to their one-on-one mentorships for 2 to 6 hours per month, for a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 6 months.

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