Technical Advisor Education
Children Believe

Mirwais Fahez arrived in Canada with his family in March 2022, facing the challenge of finding employment despite his extensive experience working with the United Nations and an Masters level educational background. As he recalls, “I faced a lot of challenges to find a job. For most of the jobs that I applied for, even entry level, I was told that I am overqualified, or I don’t have experience.”

Determined to overcome these barriers, Mirwais turned to the Internationally Educated Professionals (IEP) program at York University. Reflecting on his experience, he notes, “The IEP helped me further build and work on my networking skill….exchange of ideas, mentorship, job fairs helped me to find my way in Canadian Job Market.”

The Foundations Program not only helped Mirwais enhance his communication skills but also facilitated the expansion of his peer and professional networks. He remarks, “IEP helped me to make over 50 new friends, connect with professionals.”

Mirwas explains, “ IEP program really helped me a lot and provided me with an opportunity to prepare for Canadian Labour market”. With newfound knowledge and skills gained from the program, Mirwais successfully tailored his job applications to meet Canadian standards. He acknowledges, “Now I know that I should not use a generic resume for all jobs. I need to customize my application and make it relevant to advertised jobs.”

Looking ahead, Mirwais offers valuable advice to fellow newcomers: “Don’t get disappointed if you are not considered for positions you’ve applied for. IEP is a bridging program to help find your way to the labor market in Canada.”

In his own words, Mirwais shares a poignant analogy: “We have earthquake that shakes homes and building and sometimes that is followed by human or property loss…I suggest, don’t get lost or disappointed. When I reached here, for over three months was jobless. I started construction work that was not my field, and I did not have any experience.” His perseverance paid off, as he secured multiple employment opportunities, including roles as a settlement worker and an International Language Instructor.

Mirwais’s journey exemplifies the resilience, adaptability, and perseverance required to overcome challenges and achieve success in a new country.