Dynamic panel discussions on elevator pitches, networking as an introvert, mentoring for youth, and more were part of ISSofBC’s Technology Together: Professional Networking in the Tech Sector conference attended by close to 200 internationally-trained tech professionals, tech companies and employment counselling professionals.
The conference, at the Vancouver Public Library (VPL) Central Branch November 27, was also an opportunity to announce and celebrate a $50,000 funding contribution from RBC’s Future Launch to ISSofBC’s Youth in Tech program. RBC’s Carlton So was among the representatives who presented a symbolic cheque to ISSofBC’s Director of Language and Career Services Carla Morales as well as ISSofBC Board Director Mahtab Rae.
The event was also the backdrop for an award presentation by Ottawa’s In-TAC National Program Manager Juliette Smith to ISSofBC Manager Alice Wong and her Advanced Literacy and Essential Skills program team. The Vancouver team received the Outstanding Site Award for contributions to workplace communication training for internationally-trained IT workers.
Keynote speaker Nina Taherimakhsousi, a Machine Learning and Machine Vision Scientist at UBC, urged the audience to push past their own reluctance to speak about and claim their achievements while talking with others. She also spoke about the importance of not only speaking, but listening.
The conference, co-presented by ISSofBC and VPL, boasted the participation of several partnering companies and organizations including Sage, Raymond James, Perfect Mind, Celayix, Thinkific, Trulioo, Lighthouse Labs, Red Academy, HiTek School, Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology (SCWIST), and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).
