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Jasvinder Singh

IT - Systems Analysis Stream

Solution Architect, Kirat Canada Consultancy and Assistant Vice-President
Citibank

The IEP Program's foundation courses strengthened his communication and soft skills and Singh says that York University professors “opened our perspectives to Canadian culture. It really helped me understand how I should be pursuing opportunities moving forward."

Jasvinder Singh arrived in Canada with extensive experience as a Consultant with Oracle. Working in their India and Sinagapore offices, many of his clients U.S.-based companies. He expected a smooth transition to Canada. He even had a job in his field when he first arrived.

Things did not go exactly as planned: "Before moving to Canada I had already worked in eight countries. Most of these clients were U.S.-based, so it was a pretty smooth transition for me to move to Canada. In fact I moved to Canada on a transfer from Wipro Singapore to Wipro Canada in February 2015. However, within five months the project and job were out of my hands.”

Singh says he struggled at that point to get to know the Canadian market and where he fit. He needed to figure out what he had to do to be successful in the Canadian market. Then he found the York University IEP Bridging Program.

Singh says that after his initial employment experience it was easy to start doubting himself. One of the benefits of the IEP Bridging Program was “my fellow students. It was very calming at times to meet people who are of your calibre and who are still looking at the market, because at times you get so depressed when you can't find a job full time. When you are surrounded by people who really did well in their careers in their countries, you don't feel like the odd person out. You feel like you are with a group of people having a similar experience, which gives you the energy to come back the next day. It gives you the confidence that you are with a group of people who are really talented, with the same goal to be successful in the Canadian market."

Trained as an Engineer, but having worked in the Computer Science field, Singh found the core computer science courses very useful to complement his experience and skills and ensure he had what employers were looking for. He says: "Students in the IEP Bridging Program come from multiple backgrounds with a wide variety of experience. The courses we took at York University really sharpened our skills."

Singh has capitalized on those skills and his York University education to launch his own successful Solution Architecture consulting business.

He is thankful for the intervention the IEP Program gave him and for his connection to York University: “The greatest thing about being part of the program is that it is at York University itself. Having that name on my LinkedIn profile, on my resume, has really helped me to talk to prospective employers and clients with credibility."

His message to employers is to recognize the skills, experience and different perspectives IEPs bring to the Canadian market, as well as the excellence of the education they get at York University. IEPs can add value to any company.

Employers, he says, can benefit not only by hiring from the IEP talent pool, but also by becoming more involved with the York University Program. They can be part of training opportunities, interact with students at events, engage students as hiring prospects, but also as peers. Singh says there is a tremendous talent pool at York University for employers to tap into that can add value to their companies.

Jasvinder is one of hundreds of students who participate in York’s IEP Bridging Programs for HR, IT and Business professionals. This program offers a ready pool of talent and staff eager to help employers connect and advertise opportunities at no-cost to them. To find out more about how the program can help you promote your brand contact makemore@yorku.ca