“I moved from Canada to Australia last year to work in the mining industry. The fireside chat I had with senior geologists Deng Ngang and Deng Ateny about the prospects of working in Western Australia as a geologist had a significant impact on my decision to relocate. So, I highly encourage you to take advantage of Maisha Canada initiatives because you may pick up a thing or two that could be quite beneficial to your academic or professional career.”

Majak Agau Majak, HBSc, MSc, GIT. | MSc., Geochemistry (mine waste management) - University of Waterloo | HBSc., Environmental Geoscience - University of Toronto. | WUSC Class of 2014 | Perth, Western Australia.

“Nyuon Akoi's presentation covered the value of a co-op and the necessary qualifications. Maisha Canada team later organized a prep session for tech internships, with presentations from Makuer Buol & Awer Kuir. When an opportunity to interview for a tech co-op became available, I did not think twice about it. Through a referral, I aced the interview. My employer then requested the co-op program at my school to waive some requirements for an early entry and placement! My experience with projects in Power platform, app development, database development & maintenance at work will jumpstart my career. It will also give me hands-on exposure to make informed career decisions in either software development or data science”.

Chut Dau Giet | BSc. Computer Science | University of Saskatchewan | WUSC Class of 2021 | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

“Maisha Canada has been an unequivocal information gap-filler for me and my friends. It has become my family where I network and get information to make informed decisions. When I first arrived in Canada, I spent one month in absolute solitude, cooped up in my residence room (with just my books). This was very unexpected and depressing as someone who comes from a large family. When someone showed me the website, I spent that night reading all the stories. I was immediately able to connect with lovely people like Aluong Agok (at my university) and other Torontonians profiled. That was the end of my solitude. I had found a new family.

I was among the first students to request a personal mentor when I realized things were more complicated than I thought and needed guidance. Like most WUSC students, I had unrealistic expectations. My generation hardly knows people. But through mentorship matching, Maisha Canada connected me with Alfred Maluach who I will always be grateful for his guidance, connections, and bridge of information gap. These are very busy people, but they know nothing is more pleasing than to uplift one’s brother or sister. In less than a year, I did things that I wouldn’t have done without Alfred’s influence, connections, and pool of knowledge. Because of my shamelessness, I sought out information and Maisha Canada played the greatest role during my first 2 years in Canada. It was unbeknownst to me that all I learnt from the website about specific programs, stress management, finances, the protocoled academic system, family pressures, making friends and social media would be my everyday experience. Instead of going through trial and error again, we learned from the experiences of our brothers and sisters who came ahead of us. To Maisha Canada clique, thank you for your time, sacrifices, stories, warnings, motivation, and challenges that are aimed at creating a family for all of us. We promise to be the next mentors to the younger generation with whom we shall share your impacts.”

Dhieu Mayom Deng (Goodnews) | Doctor of Pharmacy, The University of British Columbia | Vancouver, British Columbia | WUSC Class of 2020.

“One career strategy that has significantly helped me is the deliberate choice of a career path that is marketable and aligns with my plans, coupled with a good understanding of my specific industry. As a new student, it is important to be very intentional with the choices that you make. Once you make a choice, dedicate substantial time to research and understand most facets of your chosen field. Most importantly, don't underestimate the power of internships. "The first job opportunity is the hardest to get; after that, opportunities find you.

If your plan is to enter the job market with your undergraduate degree, you should be strategic and well-informed about your industry to maximize your chances of securing employment. Not all fields are equal in their demand for fresh graduates, so it is vital to research thoroughly to identify areas of specialization with robust job prospects. Again, know your industry. This includes knowledge of the major employers and the scope of opportunities available. Opportunities mostly go to those people who are aware that they exist.

It is through Maisha Canada that I got to network with professionals who are already established in my field. By connecting with these individuals, I gained crucial insights into their practical career trajectories and pivotal decisions that shaped their careers. I learned that it is possible to expand your job search scope to other continents. Growth can be benchmarked, observing the career growth of colleagues whom I have a common history with from the platform is a great motivation.”

Matthew Atem Duot | BASC, Mining & Mineral Engineering | University of Toronto | Mining Engineer, EIT.

“For most of my life, I moved through the world without seeing myself reflected in higher places. Growing up in a small town in Southern Ontario, I rarely saw people who looked like me represented in academia, leadership, and places where influence was shaped. I didn’t long for representation back then because I had never known what it felt like to have it. As I matured, I came to understand the profound significance of representation... I hesitated when a friend sent me Maisha Canada Gala link. What was the worst thing that could happen? I could walk in, feel out of place, and leave. But that was not what happened.

My experience at my first Maisha Canada networking formal was nothing short of transformative. The music, the food, the energy, it was as if I had stepped into a world waiting for me all along. I didn’t have to introduce myself or explain who I was. I didn’t have to shrink myself to fit in. Just existing in a space where I wasn’t the “only one” was enough. Being surrounded by people who shared my values, history, and essence was overwhelming in the best possible way. It was a sense of belonging and acceptance that I had never experienced before.

To anyone who has ever struggled with identity, belonging, and feeling like their culture was something to navigate rather than embrace, I hope you get to experience what I did with belonging and recognition. A moment of pride. A moment of knowing, without a doubt, that we are here. We are thriving. And we are worth celebrating. Thank you for bringing us together, for seeing us, and most importantly, for ensuring that our stories of successes, joy, and resilience continue to be celebrated. This recognition is not just a privilege, but a necessity for our cultural identity and growth.”

Gracie GT. | B.Sc. Food Science & Neuroscience (Co-op) | Applied Disability Studies (MADS)