December 01, 2023

PCG in Vancouver Holds Third Mentorship Session for Filipino International Students

LEFT PHOTO – Consul General Magno provides a background on the mentorship program in her opening remarks; RIGHT PHOTO – Ms. Jonie Tee (standing), one of 5 mentor-panelists, talks about her professional journey to become a hotel executive in the hospitality and tourism industry. Also presenting as a guest panelist is Sgt. Terry Parmar of the Vancouver Police Department who highlighted career opportunities in the police force

28 November 2023 – In partnership with the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in BC (UPAABC) and the Philippines Canada Trade Council, the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver held its third mentorship session for Filipino international students in British Columbia on 25 November 2023 at the Acsenda School of Management in Downtown Vancouver.

More than 30 Filipino international students from various higher educational institutions in Metro Vancouver came to listen to mentors from the finance and accounting (Mr. Christian Amurao), hospitality and tourism (Ms. Jonie Tee), entrepreneurship (Ms. Rhona Doria), human resources (Mr. Eli Yanga), and project management (Ms. Vicky Rubio Buechler) industries talk about their experiences, both professionally and personally, as they tried to break down the barriers of building a new life in Canada around their chosen careers.  The Vancouver Police Department joined the event to talk on opportunities in the police force, saying that applicants had a choice of either being a police officer or taking a civilian job at the Department.

LEFT PHOTO – Mentor-panelist Eli Yanga facilitates the breakout session for Human Resources; RIGHT PHOTO – Mr. Stephen Andrada of the UPAABC, and moderator for the event, talks on the BC labor market outlook and settlement services available to Filipino international students in British Columbia.

Participants were then invited to join breakout rooms where they could have a more intimate and focused conversation with their mentors before coming together again in plenary for a discussion on the BC labor market outlook and settlement and integration supports for international students by Mr. Stephen Andrada of the UPAABC and moderator for the mentorship event. He presented on the 10-year labor market outlook and highlighted the province’s huge requirement for new workers in the next 10 years.  He likewise spoke on the available services for Filipino international students and the importance of connecting with the right people and organizations. END

Consul General Arlene T. Magno (seated, 5L), joins PCTC Chair Neil Mort (seated, 5r) and UPAABC President Bella Bevilacqua (seated, 2L), and the speakers, volunteers and attendees of the mentorship session for a photo opportunity.

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