The settlement journey for internationally educated professionals (IEPs) is a delicate balancing act—a path of uncertainty, resiliency and reinvention. It’s like walking a fragile tightrope, torn between the grief of leaving a former career behind, and the rocky uphill climb toward building a new one in a new land. The weight of challenges like credential recognition, cultural integration, and forging new relational networks can feel overwhelming. Despite their invaluable qualifications, many IEPs face frustration, loneliness, and career disruption. Yet, within the struggle lies growth: moments of joy, self-discovery, and the transformative power of reinvention.
By letting go of self-doubt, embracing a growth mindset, and cultivating new habits, shifting to positive attitude, IEP newcomers can turn challenges into stepping stones. Drafting adjusting plan, leveraging available resources, identifying strengths, and seeking community support are key to paving the way forward. With persistence, resilience, and reinvention, IEPs can not only rebuild their careers but also make meaningful contributions to their new home. Out of the many strategies I’ve explored, five key approaches have been fundamental to turning my settlement journey into a success story.
Building Connections: Accessing Resources and Community Support
After completing my English assessment at Catholic Social Services in Edmonton, I received a list of community resources from assessor. Though brief, it was packed with valuable information, opening doors to essential resources and supports. This marked an exciting step forward in my new life in Edmonton. With this list, I connected with many organizations. I enrolled in the Entrepreneurship Support Program at Action for Healthy Communities, where I learned about fast-paced growth and competitive business environment while connecting with professionals from diverse ethno-cultural backgrounds.
At the Newcomer Center, I joined the Career in Business Program, where I gained essential skills like communication, collaboration and navigating multicultural workplaces, as well as found a supportive community of internationally educated professionals who supported my journey. The Bredin Center became a lifeline, offering job preparation support and access to accreditation and training opportunities. Through the Immigrant Network, I was inspired by the insights and stories of fellow immigrants, reigniting my hope and strengthening my determination to rebuild my life in a new land.
I also connected with the Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council for mentorship and networking, and the “In Our Hands Program” opened my eyes to the cooperative sector, reshaping my career path in Canada. However, the primary connections gave me fundamentally contextual knowledge and a strong foundation, while secondary connections helped me reinvent myself. I diversified my network, took on volunteer and practicum roles, secured part-time jobs, and attended significant gathering/conferences in Edmonton, Calgary, Kelowna, Surry, Vancouver and Manitoba cities—opportunities I could never have accessed without the unwavering support of settlement organizations.
I also built trusting relationships within my own cultural community, creating a support network to navigate the new ecosystem and balance family life across two cultures. I found joys in outdoor adventures with new friends, frequently exploring the Rocky Mountains and provincial national parks together. These engaging experiences not only supported my settlement and well-being but also deepened my cultural understanding, social adjustment, and supporting network. This journey helped me forge meaningful connections, embrace learning, make the most of the resources around me, and eventually turn challenges into opportunities for growth.
Emotional Intelligence: The Missing Link Beyond Hard Skills
Through my intense efforts to build connections, I came to a profound realization: technical skills alone aren’t enough for IEP newcomers to thrive in Canada. Back in my home country, hard skills were often valued more than soft skills, but here, I discovered that emotional intelligence is the key to adapting to unfamiliar workplace norms, navigating complex communication dynamics, building meaningful networks, and integrating into a society shaped by generations of pioneers.
One of my most eye-opening moments came during my first team meeting at a casual job. The meeting began with check-in questions about feelings and an icebreaker game—something entirely new and unfamiliar to me. At first, I felt out of place, uncomfortable, and unsure how to navigate the introductions or connect with the larger group. But that experience sparked a deeper understanding: emotional intelligence is the missing link that goes beyond hard skills, and it’s essential for building genuine connections.
Another moment that left a lasting impression was hearing the term “most jobs are in the blind spot” repeatedly at various events. Curiosity got the better of me, and I began asking everyone I met what it meant. What I learned was both surprising: over 85% of the job market operates in this hidden space, accessible only through relational networking, not transactional. This realization shifted my perspective entirely. Building support networks and maintaining trusting relationships became my focus. It’s not just about what you know but who you know and how you connect with them.
For IEP newcomers, building these targeted networks is like learning to breathe in a new land. It requires mastering the art of communication—balancing thoughts and feelings, listening with compassion and competency, and paying attention to unspoken cues like tone, body language, and emotional context. It’s about genuinely listening to understand, not just to respond. This shift has not only guided me through my new life but has also shown me the profound power of emotional intelligence—building deeper connections and lighting the way forward
Breaking Patterns: Transforming Mindset, Habits, and Attitude.
Settling as an adult is far more challenging than for children—it requires double the effort, involving both unlearning and relearning. It’s not just about adapting to a new home; it’s about undergoing an internal change. Letting go of old habits, mindsets, and attitudes that no longer serve you, while gradually building new ones. I once placed a mirror on my desk to remind myself to smile during online meetings. At first, it felt awkward and forced. But over time, it became more than just a habit—it became a source of strength, self-discovery, and reinvention.
A few months after arriving and going through the settlement cycles, I felt deeply frustrated with the process. It seemed to challenge my communication style, and even my way of thinking. Amid the overwhelming stress, I reached out to some of my Canadian friends, questioning whether the settlement process truly embraced cultural diversity or if it was merely a form of socio-cultural assimilation. I expressed how it felt as though my own culture was being disregarded, forcing me to adopt new norms that I wasn’t sure I could fit into at this stage of my life. I was filled with resistance and a profound sense of loss, struggling to find my place in this new home.
After months of struggle, I began to realize that I needed to shift my perspective. I learned to move from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset, replacing unhelpful habits with new ones and cultivating a positive attitude. This shift helped me unlock my potential with courage, navigate obstacles with confidence and persistence, and focus on my strengths rather than limits. It wasn’t easy, but it was the key to finding my footing, breaking old patterns, and embracing my new life with hope and resilience. This journey of internally transformation has not only helped me adapt but has also opened opportunity to reinvention and growth in ways I never imagined.
Turning Nostalgia into Learning and Civic Engagement
For adults who have spent much of their lives building careers, experience, and support networks in their home country, settling in a new land often brings a deep attachment to their roots, along with stress and anxiety. Letting go of the past—cultural identity, emotional connections, and social bonds—can feel overwhelming. Being physically present in one place while emotionally tied to another creates a tug-of-war, leading to comparative traps, presumptions, and isolation. Breaking free from nostalgia is obviously essential for a smooth transition.
It, however, demands creating new, exciting memories, shifting focus from the past to the present, balancing two cultures, and building a sense of belonging in a new land. When I arrived in Canada, I was confident my extensive international experience would add value. But after multiple resume revisions by professionals in Edmonton, it was reduced from five pages to just one and a half. I felt discouraged and stuck in comparison when my experience was dismissed, and I was told to “start from scratch.” I was advised to take on volunteer work for ‘Canadian experience’ and references, which left me questioning my worth and feeling as though my past achievements no longer held value.
After months of struggle, I stayed persistent, finding solace in new hobbies like photography and hiking. Slowly, I turned nostalgia into a journey of learning and growth. I embraced new experiences, reinvented myself, and connected with community resources. Today, I’m active in many collaborative platforms and national networks, finding fulfillment in this new chapter. Nostalgia no longer holds me back—it became a bridge, linking my past to new realities, using old roots to soar with new wings. Through learning and civic engagement, I often share my unique perspective, helping build an inclusive society. By volunteering and giving back, I’ve transformed nostalgia into a force for growth, creating a meaningful life in my new home.
Fostering Relational Network for Advancement
Shortly after arriving, I attended a monthly evening gathering at the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, supported by one of the settlement organizations. It was my first attempt to step out of my comfort zone; to learn about new home, practice self-pitching and making connection. That evening turned out to be both eye-opening and humbling. Unknowingly, I wore a sweater with a USA hockey logo—completely unaware of Canada’s deep-rooted passion for Canadian hockey. It felt even more awkward because I hadn’t realized there was a game between the Oilers and the Flames that night—I had no idea it was happening.
As conversations naturally turned to hockey, people kept asking which team I supported. I had no answer, no knowledge of the game, and no connection to the excitement buzzing around me. I felt out of place. But instead of retreating, I saw this as a turning point—a chance to learn, adapt, and connect. I made it a point to understand hockey—not just the game, but its significance in Canadian culture. I learned how to skate on ice and turned the coldest winters into a fun season. I realized how sports, traditions, shared interests, and passions create instant bonds, providing a chance to deeper conversations and new relationships.
Thriving professionally isn’t just about skills—it’s deeply rooted in meaningful connections on the ground. Staying socially and culturally engaged, while being emotionally present, is the heartbeat of networking. It’s not just about exchanging greetings; it’s about immersing yourself in conversations that shape your future. Watching popular TV shows, trending movies, cheering for sports teams, attending cultural festivals, and reading must-read books aren’t just hobbies—they’re powerful bridges to deeper conversations, effortless social interactions, and lasting connections in settlement process.
Relational networking isn’t just a tool for landing a job; it’s the foundation for profound internal and external changes and professional growth. It’s about learning from others, gaining valuable insights, benefiting from their grounded experiences, and accessing essential resources and opportunities. Instead of flooding the job market with resumes and attending endless interviews, we should shift our approach—leveraging smart social capital to secure the opportunities we truly seek. The right network is more powerful than a strong resume or a flawless interview. It’s about building relationships that open window, foster growth, and create a sense of belonging in an often-unfamiliar land.
Brief Bio
Khudadad Bisharat is an internationally educated professional (IEP) with extensive experience working in international organizations in his home country, Afghanistan. He arrived in Canada in early January 2022 and began his first casual role with Catholic Social Services in mid-2022.
Over the past two and a half years, he has steadily advanced his career through a variety of roles, including a consultancy with the BC Cooperative Association, shortly a part-time position with the Alberta Community & Cooperative Association, and a full-time role as a Cultural Broker at the Multicultural Health Brokers Co-op. In addition to his professional roles, he has actively engaged in mentoring, volunteer initiatives, and continuous professional development through conferences, workshops, and certification programs offered by AAISA and other organizations across Canada. He is also a current member of the Steering Committee for the Culture Brokers Network of Canada (CBNC).
Bisharat’s journey has provided him with deep insights and grounded experiences into settlement processes and best brokering practices, shaped by collaboration with professionals from diverse backgrounds. He has recently begun documenting and reflecting on these experiences through various writing platforms.
