Blog

On October 9th, we were pleased to attend the networking event with dentsu Canada and Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC). This was a unique opportunity to connect with industry leaders and fellow professionals.

There were representatives of this important company, making this an exceptional chance to expand the attendees’ network and explore new opportunities.

On October 8th, Hispanotech.ca was honoured to be invited to join CIBC Latin Network in their celebration of Latin American Heritage Month. We learned about their commitment to creating a culture of inclusion for team members, clients and their community.

Thank you for your hospitality and your ongoing sponsorship of Hispanotech.ca's mission and programs!

Hispanotech’s President, Carlos Paz-Soldan, and Vice-President, Citlalli Rios travelled to Ottawa on October 2nd.

The occasion was the 7th Annual Latin American and Hispanic Day on the Hill event, where several government officials and public service representatives joined us to celebrate our Latin and Hispanic heritage.

It was a time to come together to honour the community, acknowledge its contributions, and celebrate the vibrant culture, heritage, food, drinks and music of the Latin American and Hispanic communities in Canada.

On September 28th, Hispanotech was present at the Conexiones Latinas event, where a large group of Latinos gathered in one place with experts leading workshops, panels with entrepreneurs, and key organizations in Canada. There was plenty of networking and connections!

Congratulations to Casta Latina for a resounding success.

On September 26th, Hispanotech attended TRIEC’s Professional Immigrant Networks (PINs) Networking Event. This event was designed to bring together employers, immigrant professionals and leaders, and community partners for an evening of insightful discussions and valuable networking opportunities. One of the highlights of the evening were the sector-specific roundtable discussions. These facilitated sessions allowed attendees to engage with colleagues from specific fields, including Accounting and Finance, Information Technology, Engineering, Marketing and Communications, and Healthcare. This was an excellent opportunity to discuss industry trends, share best practices, and explore potential collaborations.

Read this article from TRIEC, ‘Bridging Gaps: How TRIEC’s Talent Connect is Transforming Workforce Inclusion for Immigrant Talent’ for insights on how Talent Connect facilitated in bridging the gap between immigrant professionals and employers! https://triec.ca/bridging-gaps-how-triecs-talent-connect-is-transforming-workforce-inclusion-for-immigrant-talent/

On September 13th, Hispanotech showed how TRIEC Professional Immigrant Networks (PINs) are transforming the newcomer experience through collaboration with service providers.

At "The Art of Networking with TRIEC-PINs" event, hosted by ACCES Employment’s Engineering Connections Program, internationally trained engineers tapped into the power of meaningful connections. With support from PINs Associations like Hispanotech and the Latin Project Management Network (LPMN), participants gained valuable resources, career strategies, and the confidence, to thrive in the Canada’s competitive labour market.

Key takeaways included:

• Networking as a lifelong skill
• Building strong, reciprocal relationships
• Expanding beyond immediate circles for career growth

Learn more about how TRIEC-PINs build not just careers but thriving communities in this article titled, ‘From Connections to Careers’, here: https://triec.ca/from-connections-to-careers-how-professional-networks-empower-newcomers/

On August 30, 2024, Hispanotech was invited to Humber IGS Career Resources Fair to welcome the new Semester 1 students and introduce them to an array of valuable career development resources. We shared the exhibition floor with several industry partners and friends, including ASCM Toronto Chapter, Brilliant Minds Group , Canadian Association of Management Consultants (CMC-Canada) , Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals (CAUFP)), Devant, Generation1.ca, Guhuza and TorontoJobs.ca, Humber College (Career & Placement Portal), Insurance Career Connections - Insurance Institute, LetsStopAIDS, Longo Centre for Entrepreneurship, and NISCL (National Institute of Supply Chain Leaders).

This event provided an excellent opportunity for international students to engage with organizations that can support their professional growth. We are truly grateful for the chance to take part in such valuable connections.

Hispanotech .ca was thrilled to participate in York University's traditional BBQ on August 28th.

Heartfelt thanks to Monica Anne Brennan and Art Noordeh, PhD, for inviting us to share this moment with students and partner associations. It’s great to support them in achieving professional success in Canada.

On August 22nd, we officially kicked off the Hispanotech Mentorship Program with a fantastic blend of in-person and virtual attendees. The energy and passion in the room and on screen were undeniable as mentees and mentors came together to foster deeper connections, share knowledge, and expand their networks. This was the first step in what promises to be a transformative journey for everyone involved.

We were fortunate to have inspiring insights from our esteemed speakers, Cesar Gudino, Carlos E. Paz-Soldan, and Carlos Chalico, whose words resonated deeply with all of us, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and community support. Their wisdom set a powerful tone for the program, reminding us why we do what we do.

A huge thank you goes out to all our volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this event successful. Your dedication, hard work, and passion behind the scenes ensured everything ran smoothly, and we couldn't have done it without you!

At Hispanotech, we believe in the power of mentorship to transform lives, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who makes this program possible. Whether you’re a mentor guiding someone through a new chapter or a mentee eager to learn and grow, your commitment to this community drives this initiative forward.

By @JoseMiguelFigueria

How did you find out about Hispanotech?

At the end of 2022, during a Christmas dinner with friends, I first heard about Hispanotech. A volunteer from the organization told me about her work there, and I was immediately interested. The idea of sharing my knowledge as a volunteer and learning about the Canadian market, especially in my area of specialization, IT, resonated deeply with me.

What inspired you to become a volunteer at Hispanotech?

As a newcomer to Canada, I began hearing a lot about volunteering. Although it was a new practice for me, I quickly grew to love the idea of sharing my experience in areas such as IT and Project Management while also strengthening my language skills. Without a doubt, it was a great opportunity presented to me. After browsing the Hispanotech website, I immediately identified with their motto: Connect, Succeed, and Give Back.

All this, together with the possibility of starting to generate a strong and specialized network of contacts with my profession, were the factors that inspired me to volunteer at Hispanotech.

How did you feel about the experience and what did you do at Hispanotech?

The experience at Hispanotech was incredibly rewarding. I started by joining the PMO office as a Project Manager, where I implemented various projects and collaborated on the Atlassian Suite (Jira, Confluence) implementation. I played a key role in supporting the 2023 mentorship program, created badge images, and participated in the implementation of the system to grant these badges. Additionally, I participated in initiatives to research new tools and had the opportunity to be a mentee in the 2023 edition of the mentorship program. Currently, I serve as the Coordinator of the Mentorship Program for 2024 and support the PMO and IT teams. I would like to do more, but unfortunately, I don't have enough time right now.

Tell us a little about your background, and the job opportunity you were looking for…

I am an electronic engineer with IPC-CID certification and approximately 18 years of experience in the technology sector, primarily focused on manufacturing companies in the automotive industry. I have extensive knowledge in developing manufacturing solutions of software and hardware from scratch. I have worked for multinational companies and deployed systems in various countries across South America, North America, and Asia. I currently work as a hardware designer for a Canadian company and am looking to strengthen my career in the Canadian market. I hope to help new migrants arriving in Canada in the near future.

How has been your Hispanotech volunteering experience, did it help you to get a job?

Absolutely. My volunteering experience with Hispanotech has been incredibly valuable. During my time there, I gained access to a strong professional network and acquired deeper insights into the Canadian market, which significantly enhanced my job search. Participating in the mentoring program was particularly enriching. Although my background in software development, hardware development, and project management initially made me feel dispersed and unfocused, connecting with an experienced mentor provided invaluable guidance. This support helped me concentrate and find direction during my job search, which is a significant challenge when relocating to Canada. The discussions and advice I received thoroughly prepared me for the job search process and played a crucial role in securing my first position in my field in Canada.

On the other hand, meeting and working with skilled and passionate individuals such as Carlos, Gabriel, Citlalli, Nestor, Galo, and Raquel was another highlight of my experience. Their support and collaboration enriched my time at Hispanotech and contributed significantly to my professional growth.

Any final recommendation for other members who are not sure whether to become volunteers?

If you're unsure about becoming a volunteer, I highly recommend giving it a try. Volunteering can provide you with invaluable experiences, professional growth, and opportunities to build a strong network. It allows you to develop new skills, gain insights into different industries, and make a positive impact on the community "Connect, Succeed, and Give Back.". Even if you're unsure of your fit, the experience of working with diverse teams and learning from mentors can be incredibly rewarding. It’s a chance to not only contribute but also to grow personally and professionally. If you have the opportunity, embrace it—you might find it to be one of the most enriching experiences of your personal life and career.