Saba Chaudhry is a Financial Planning & Analysis and Project Controls professional with experience in nuclear energy projects. She joined the TRIEC Mentoring Partnership (TMP) as a mentee and is passionate about supporting newcomers by sharing practical guidance on resumes, LinkedIn, and interview preparation to help them achieve their career goals. In this blog, Saba shares her experience in the TMP program.
Before you found mentorship, what were the biggest challenges you faced in building your career in Canada?
Before mentorship, my biggest challenge wasn’t the job market—it was the silence around it. I had skills, but no direction, no network, and no one to show me how things worked here. It felt like learning an entirely new professional language on my own.
How did you first hear about the TMP, and what motivated you to join the TMP program?
I first heard about TRIEC when I was new to Canada and searching for guidance. What motivated me to join as a mentee was the promise of one-to-one support—something I really needed at that stage. Even though my mentor was in IT and I was in finance, they helped me understand Canadian workplace culture in a way that made everything less intimidating. Because that experience shaped my early career, I now want to give back and support others the same way.
Can you describe a turning point in your mentorship when things started to feel possible?
A major turning point was when my mentor told me not to self-reject. I was only applying to jobs where I matched 100%, and they encouraged me to apply even if I met about 70% of the requirements. That advice changed everything. I started applying more, landed more interviews, and eventually received multiple offers. Even as a newcomer, I found myself in a position where I could negotiate my salary confidently.
What steps did you take to turn your Canadian dream into reality?
I focused on putting mentorship advice into practice. For example, I worked on improving my resume to increase my chances of landing interviews, and then I practiced and honed my interview skills so that those opportunities could turn into job offers. Implementing these practical steps made a significant difference in achieving my goals.
What is one piece of advice from your mentor that stayed with you?
One key piece of advice that stayed with me was to continuously work on my LinkedIn profile and resume, even after landing my first job. My mentor emphasized that these are part of my professional portfolio that evolves with my career. Following this advice, I consistently updated my resume and LinkedIn profile, which helped me successfully switch industries and secure a well-paid role.
What would you say to other newcomers about finding the right support, and why is mentorship part of their success?
Mentorship is invaluable because mentors guide you along the right path and show you what success can look like in the Canadian corporate landscape. Without mentorship, newcomers may rely on ideas that worked back home or advice found online, which may not always translate effectively. Mentors help clarify the right approach, enabling newcomers to confidently navigate and succeed in their careers.
Interested in mentoring newcomers like Saba? Learn more about becoming a mentor through the TRIEC Mentoring Partnership at mentoringpartnership.ca.