Across North America, immigrants are navigating complex transitions—new jobs, new cultures, and new networks. Amidst these changes, one theme rings clear from our Global Immigrant Futures 2025 Survey (part of our GISS 2025 study): mentorship matters. Generation1.ca’s Immigrant Futures 2025 survey part of our annual global industry skills study but focused on immigrants and allies revealed our members and respondents who highlighted Networking and Mentorship as a top driver of immigrant success over the next 3–5 years. Yet, access remains scarce. Many called for mentorship programs, job placement services, and networking opportunities, often tied to language support, legal help, and training. Without mentorship, immigrants reported barriers such as:
- Bias and discrimination in interviews and workplaces
- Lack of networks for jobs and advancement
- Isolation from local community groups and professional circles
💡 The Opportunity: Mentorship is more than guidance; it’s confidence, connection, and career mobility. Our immigrant respondents asked for:
- Mentorship programs with professionals from similar backgrounds or industries
- Access to local community groups, workshops, and career fairs
- Coaching tailored to immigrant experiences
At Generation1.ca, mentorship is built into everything we do: career fairs, case competitions, industry panels, credentials, webinars, courses, corporate trainings, and our upcoming Virtual Career Fair and Case Competition on September 26, 2025. These spaces connect newcomers directly with employers, peers, and mentors.
Generation1.ca’s Founder and CEO, Arundati Dandapani, has been recognized nationally and internationally as a mentor for both immigrants and industry including through the Canadian Marketing Association’s (CMA) first-ever mentorship program. Highlights from the CMA’s summer mentor recognition mixer from July are in the video below along with key data points from our immigrant survey.
This recognition reflects the values embedded in our community: championing immigrant stories, fostering mentorship, and equipping newcomers with the skills and networks to thrive. By bridging mentorship gaps, Generation1.ca transforms the problem into an opportunity: connecting multicultural talent to the trillion-dollar AI and innovation economy, and ensuring no newcomer is left behind. Join us at our career fair and case competition on September 26, Friday, 2025 from 10 am – 5 pm EST. Learn more and sign up as a jobseeker or as an employer.
