MEET Sajal Sharan, Specialist, Mentoring and Employer Engagement at Skills for Change!

Tell us a bit about yourself

I am working as a Specialist, Employer Engagement and Mentoring at Skills for Change. I landed in Canada in May 2023 and have been working here since Sep. 2023. I am an aviation and a history buff.

Can you share a bit about your journey to Canada?

I have lived for 35 years in India and landed just 7 months ago. Canada has been an emotional rollercoaster. From being welcomed here to missing home, from an unfamiliar environment to new cultures and cuisines, from uprooting to re-rooting, from being proud to questioning the move, it has been quite a journey. I am glad me, my wife and our daughter took this giant leap of faith.

What was life like in your home country?

Life back in India was great. We had all the comforts, family and friends and were in a financially decent position as well. We just wanted to explore more in life.

How did you get involved with Skills for Change?

I learnt about Skills for Change at Newcomer Day at Nathan Phillips Square. I enrolled for the 5 week Workplace Career Connections Program (WCCP) for networking purposes but got so much more out of it. From there I went on to apply for a job within and my teacher provided a good reference.

Is there a particular moment or memory that stands out for you?

There are many happy memories of this place. Most of those memories are from my days in the WCCP course but I'd like to mention a moment as an employee. At the Pioneers for Change event I felt like an odd person out but a simple gesture by Heather, Director of Programs and Services on introducing me around despite the fact that I am so junior and new to the organization was highly encouraging.

What are you most proud of in life?

I'm proudest of being a good father and a good husband and I am equally proud of the fact that I am finally taking charge of my life and fixing thing one small step at a time.

What inspires you?

The fact that there are people who immigrated to Canada 30+ years ago when they had no connections, there were little to no support programs and no source of information other than hearsay. Most of them couldn't even speak in English but they took the shot and today they have managed to set up a good life here.

What's the best advice you've received in life?

Take the shot, the worst that could happen is what is in your mind, the best that could happen is beyond your imagination and anything in between is good but take that shot first.

Can you tell us something interesting about yourself that not many people know of?

I appear to be an extrovert and I am but I am really a quiet person and a bit of a nerd.

Is there anything you'd like to share with us?

Life is amazing, not the way one would think, not all the time but it is amazing to most of us in its own way. My amazing is just very different from someone else's amazing.