Events

Talking about money doesn't come naturally to a lot of us, international candidates. As the end of the year is approaching, employers are looking to promote candidates and bump up a salary increase.

In this webinar, you will learn about a strategy to take control of your promotion & pay. We will teach you how to ask for a promotion and raise respectfully and show your values to the employers.

You don't need to be in a job to attend this webinar. If you are not in a job, this webinar will teach you the best practices that you can use later on.

After this webinar, you will learn about:

Ask for a Raise & Promotion

Did you know that over 70% of international students in Canada just like you want to become Permanent Residents after graduation? 

When planning for a Permanent Residency, getting the right job is a big part of it. At this webinar, we will go over the steps that you need to take in order to land your dream job and also get a Canadian PR along the way! 

"You don't need to settle for less just to get a PR, you can get a good job and launch your career at the same time."

Get a Job for Canadian Permanent Residence

Have you just landed in Canada recently? If yes, this webinar is exactly for you! As international students, we have many unique needs & barriers.

This workshop is designed so that you learn everything you need to know to maximize your first year in Canada. Learn about the Canadian cultures that you have to get used to, common mistakes international students make, and how to stay ahead of the game.

You will be learning directly from Ritika Saraswat.

Ritika is a former international student and is a leader in the international students ecosystem. Her work through presence on social media and nonprofit organization, Re-defined, is making national impact across Canada. 

She is an incoming analyst at Deloitte and graduated as a Kinesiologist.  Her educational and cultural background never stopped her from exploring careers, positions etc that seemed non-traditional. She knew that she was passionate about creating an impact and problem-solving and with that in mind got experiences which eventually helps her land a position in consulting. To take impact generation further she also founded a nonprofit called Re-defined, which now has built a community of over 1,000 members, and impacted 3,000 people via 13 community events run across India, Canada and Africa.

Maximize Your First Year in Canada with Ritika

Having a great resume is the key to land your dream career in Canada. The format and the values to be conveyed in a resume in Canada can be very different from what we were used to in our home country.

Resume Masterclass Workshop - Int'l Student Edition

OUR FIRST IN REAL LIFE Meet Up since the pandemic and we'd love to see you!

Meet Isempower team (Pat, JB, Ramneet), mentors, friends, and community members in Toronto! 

Please bring at least 1 friend with you (if you can) so we can grow our Toronto community together. We will be chatting, hanging out, networking, and getting to know each other. :)

Location: NEO Coffee Bar: 161 Frederick St Unit 100, Toronto, ON M5A 4P3

** We have to cap at 25 people due to a space limit ** 

Toronto Isempower In-Person Hangout

60% of international students in Canada want to become Permanent Residents after graduation. Does this sound like you? 😜

If so, you're in the right place. As many of you are graduating & or graduated, we are putting together a webinar to show you a clear path to Canadian Permanent Residence as an international student. 

There are many pathways and programs that you can apply to. Learn more about the different ways you can apply and go after your dream!

We're bringing Archana Anathanarayan, Director of Strategy & Technology at Vancity, and an Immigration Expert  (Blue Lily Immigration Consulting) to share her experience & advice!

This workshop is entirely FREE. We're putting it together to support international students in Canada, please feel free to share with your friends. ❤️

International Students to Permanent Residents

How to build an application and profile that attract recruiters to come to you. 

Network with recruiters from top companies who will share their strategy of looking for the right candidate.

This webinar is designed specifically for international students looking for a job in Canada. We believe in bringing career resources and opportunities to all students regardless of their background. 

How To Make Recruiters Come To You

Learn about the different types of job interviews in Canada and the 

common mistakes international students make

This webinar is designed specifically for international students who are looking for a job in Canada. We believe in bringing career resources and opportunities to international students regardless of where they are from. 

Interview Prep Workshop 

Career in Data Analytics

Job searching in Canada can be competitive especially when you have English as a second language. 

Have you ever felt like you are not able to clearly communicate the skills and values you bring to the table in the most effective way? Don't let that stop you from getting the job you truly deserve. 

We are putting together a webinar in partnership with

 to guide you through Business English communication in the job search. 

Writing for success for resume, cover letter, and email

We will cover what you must know for effective communication skills in job search in Canada including:

With over 10 years of experience as a Canadian educator, elevating individuals to be their best is why Francesca started teaching. 

Francesca has helped countless local and international talents over the years, from aspiring accountants to early childhood educators to engineers. She aims to support individuals through their job application and interview process as she teaches Professional/Business English, focusing on effective and impactful verbal and written communication. 

The University of Toronto graduate started her career in the corporate banking world, working at the head office of CIBC, one of Canada's "Big Five" banks, before shifting her focus to education. Having extensive experience writing her own resumes, emailing hiring managers, and going through the multi-step interview process, Francesca has had her fair share of hurdles and roadblocks when it comes to the job search process. International talents face unique challenges as they navigate a different country with a novel set of unspoken rules about effective and professional communication. With this in mind, Francesca sets out to help individuals develop strong English language skills for their job search and professional careers, so they can confidently communicate their skillset and expertise. 

Business English for Your Job Search in Canada

"You don't have the Canadian experience"?

We believe that ALL EXPERIENCE should matter in the hiring process. For international students & newcomers like us, it is about 

telling a story and bridging the gap for the employers. 

We're excited to see you there! If you have a question that you want us to answer or cover, send us an email at hello@isempower.com.

Pitching International Experience to Canadian Employers

As an international student and newcomer to Canada, you most likely will have certain life goals and aspirations for your future in the country. 

, buying your first home, or even getting married. To achieve these goals, it’s important to get an understanding of the 

 and how you can maximize your money, and have it work for you!

Financial Literacy for International Students by RBC 

Are you tired of people saying "you don't have a Canadian experience"?

If you are planning to come to Canada to study or work, we will guide you through critical steps on how to build and gain 

Canadian experience and creating a name for yourself. 

How to gain Canadian experience online (even if you are not in Canada!)

What is considered a good Canadian experience

How to gain the "Canadian" Experience

LinkedIn is one of the most critical tools in your job search. 

Did you know that over 60% of the employers look you up on social media platform before making a hiring decision?

In this webinar, we will go over LinkedIn profile optimization and how you can use it for job search & networking. 

How to Optimize LinkedIn and Attract Jobs

Do you come from a Non-target school and want to work for the Fortune 500?

Join us and meet former international students from non-target schools & colleges who are now working in Fortune 500 companies. 

Our Chief Growth Officer, Ramneet Brar, will be sharing her story breaking into one of the toughest industries, Finance, from a non-target school. 

How to Stand Out : Non-Target School Edition

Are you an aspiring finance professional and want to join the big banks in Canada? Come join us on July 14 and ask all you burning questions from RBC. 

 can break into one of the toughest industries in Canada! 

Whether you are interested in opportunities in 

retail banking, wealth management, or financial planning

, we have you covered. We are bringing professionals & experts with international backgrounds to you. 

After a houseful event, we bringing back on popular demand an exclusive event for the Empower International Student community in partnership with RBC On Campus Team. In this event you will hear from directly from the RBC team’s perspective on what it is like to be working with one of the largest bank in Canada and also tips for you to ace the next interview.

So come prepared with all your questions and grab the opportunity to network with the RBC team directly.

Career in Finance -  RBC Edition

Job search for an international student is 

beyond writing a resume and submitting it.

Want to learn job search strategies from 

a RBC Branch Manager & a team of former international students?

 Join us on June 23 and learn directly from the experts. 

When navigating the job market (especially in a new country), it is very imperative to look at job applications from a hiring manager’s perspective. 

Sometimes we get so fixated on what we can put on our resume’s that we forget to ask the very important question - “What is the hiring manager looking for in this resume?”

how to look at job search from a manager’s perspective

 and ask all those questions you have been wondering about all this while. Walk away with:

Job Search 101: International Student Edition

 who is looking to break into Product Management?

Product Manager role has been gaining popularity over the past few years and now it is HOTTER than ever! 

What does it take for an international student to break into the industry? 

Becoming a Product Manager: International Student Edition.

Becoming a Product Manager: International Student Edition

The first step to job search is “Personal Branding”.

If you were a product, what type of brand would you like to be? How would you like others or employers to perceive you? 

 to host an insightful workshop about personal branding for international students. 

Kane Lillywhite, Assistant Brand Manager from RBC

, a former international student turned financial professional now helping countless international students & immigrants in their career in Canada.

Personal Branding: RBC On Campus

We feel you, we hear you, and we are here to change that! 

Being international does not mean you have to settle for less and start from zero.

In this live training, you will learn step-by-step common job search mistakes MOST international students often make and actionable solutions to ensure you stay on top of the job search game. 

Bring your questions to the session and walk away with tangible solutions you can start applying. 

Ultimate Job Search Blueprint for International Students

“networking is a North American thing”.

 Schools don’t teach you how to network and strategically build relationships that will help you in your future career, we will!

As international students, many of us are not familiar with the concept of “networking”, “coffee chat”, or “informational interview”. Asking someone out for a coffee date is totally weird in many countries!

There is so much to learn about networking the smart and strategic way 

BUT most international students we work with DO IT WRONG!

In this live masterclass, we will be teaching you step-by-step how to proactively network in order to get a referral, get in touch with hiring managers & recruiters, and land your dream job! Most importantly, you will walk away with a list of things you SHOULDN’T do when building your network! A rookie mistake can cost you your career!

This is not a webinar, it is a live training in which you will get to practice and walk away with actionable plans. And the best part is, it’s 

FREE Live Training: Networking the Canadian Way

 and proudly present to you an exclusive webinar, 

Working at RBC: International Student Edition.

If you are interested in working at RBC after graduation or working in the financial sector as an

experienced international professionals, RBC campus recruiters 

to speak with you directly. Get insights into how to break into RBC and what to do to stand out in the recruitment process. Network with RBC employees with international backgrounds and campus recruiters!

We are pleased to introduce our panelist speakers:

As part of the Early Talent Acquisition Team in Canada at RBC, Andrea focuses on Personal and Commercial Banking opportunities in Western Canada. Andrea began her career with RBC as contract recruiter. Her current role as an on campus recruiter involves connecting hiring managers with motivated students for summer internships, co-op roles, rotational programs and new grad opportunities. Andrea is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion and she is an active member of RBC's Royal Eagles and Reach employee resource groups at RBC. She is committed to helping students identify the right role that will help launch their future careers.

Kane is the Assistant Branch Manager at RBC on Campus at Langara College. He started his journey with RBC in 2017, 3 years after he migrated to Canada. He holds an MBA and Master of Science in International Business from Vancouver Island University, and has more than 10 years of work experience both internationally as well as in Canada. Kane has worked in a number of industries, including hospitality, ecommerce, and now currently, banking. His commitment to providing meaningful advice and solutions have resulted in long-standing, positive client relationships and community partnerships alike.

Raghav is working as Client Advisor at RBC. He came to Canada in 2018 as an International student and holds a Post-Degree in Business Administration from Langara School of Management. His passion for public speaking and volunteering landed him the opportunity to work with RBC in his co-op work term in 2019. Raghav has more than 3 years of experience in service-oriented industry and is dedicated in providing valuable advice to build long-term relationships with client.

Kendra joined RBC after graduating from The University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She began her career with RBC as a Client Advisor in 2018 and now specializes in supporting both the Healthcare Community and Newcomers to Canada. In her current role as a Banking Advisor on campus, Kendra strives to promote financial wellness and support students in acquiring the skills necessary to be successful in their chosen careers. She enjoys collaborating with both UBC student-led organizations and RBC partners on events and projects that further the financial and vocational success of students. Kendra is a committee member of RBC Mosaic, an employee resource group that supports diversity and inclusion, and she is committed to supporting youth prepare for a changing workforce as an RBC Future Launch Champion.

Working at RBC: International Student Edition

 such as Customer Success, Account Executives, Sales, and many more?

We will unpack how you can break into the industry and land your dream job in the client-focused positions!

We are bringing in experienced professionals in the field to share their experience and career advice on how you can get started.

 - Enterprise Account Executive at Workday and Sales Coach

 - Account Development Representative at Mulesoft

 - Manager, Customer Success at EventMobi

 - Head of Black Innovation Programs and Partnerships at Ryerson DMZ

Exploring Client-Focused Roles with International Background

, this webinar is for you. You will get the opportunity to learn directly from a 

 and know exactly what hiring managers look for in international candidates and what you need to do in order to stand out.

Whether you are a recent graduate or a current international student who is interested in breaking into tech, this webinar will teach you everything you need to know throughout the entire hiring process. This webinar is for any positions in the tech companies ranging from technical roles to non-technical (business) roles.

• Strategy on how to land your first job in the tech industry

• How to position yourself as an international student in the tech industry

• Sorting job postings in tech strategically

Learn from a software development manager, 

, from a leading tech company in Vancouver.

Empower is a mission-driven company supporting international students in getting the job they deserve. We help international students grow their network, become job-search ready, and getting a fulfilling career in a new country.