Moving to a new country is a life-changing experience filled with both challenges and opportunities. Bhavika Nanda knows this firsthand. Having moved to Canada four years ago, in 2021, as an international student from Northern India, Bhavika had to navigate the complexities of building a career in a new country. Today, as a Financial Advisor at Scotiabank and a dedicated mentor with Jumpstart Refugee Talent’s Welcome Talent Canada program, she is using her experiences to help others succeed.
A Full Circle Journey
Bhavika’s journey to mentorship was inspired by her own experiences as a newcomer. She discovered the opportunity to mentor through Scotiabank’s community engagement platform, Spark. Her decision to get involved was deeply personal. When she first arrived in Canada, the advisor who helped her open her student bank account also provided valuable guidance—helping her finesse her resume and prepare for job interviews. Now, in a full-circle moment, she works at the very same branch where she started her journey.
The Mentorship Experience
As a mentor, Bhavika focuses on understanding her mentees’ educational and professional backgrounds. She works with them to optimize their resumes, quantify their skills, and prepare for job searches in Canada. Beyond technical skills, she also helps mentees navigate the challenges they’ve faced—or anticipate facing—as they build their careers.
Bhavika’s impact is felt most strongly when she helps her mentees land jobs that truly align with their skills. One mentee, a refugee from Iran, had to leave her successful career as Head of Department- Accounting, due to unprecedented circumstances. When Bhavika met her, she had lost hope of ever returning to her field due to several unsuccessful attempts at securing a job. Through dedicated mentorship, Bhavika guided her through tailoring her resume, applying for jobs, and preparing for interviews. Ultimately, this mentee secured a job as an accountant in Toronto—an incredible achievement after such a challenging transition. Bhavika recalls the moment her mentee sent her a picture of her new desk, a testament to how mentorship can change lives.
Her sessions go beyond job applications. Bhavika emphasizes the importance of stability and long-term career growth. “The ability to do what you’ve been doing for so long, and knowing you are good at it, provides not only stability but also an income stream,” she says. “That’s essential when you’re starting from scratch.”
Why Mentorship Matters
For Bhavika, mentoring refugees is about giving back. “We’ve all had to search for jobs at some point. We’ve all learned from our experiences,” she reflects. “If you can use that knowledge to help someone else, you might be setting them up for success without even realizing it.”
She believes that something as simple as a resume review or a LinkedIn message can be life-changing. While some people network informally, Bhavika sees mentorship as an intentional way to create opportunities for others. “There are so many people like me who make this choice every day,” she says. “Networking and mentorship can happen in so many ways, but having a structured program like Jumpstart’s makes it even more impactful.”
Advice for Future Mentors
Bhavika encourages others to step into mentorship roles. She emphasizes that you don’t need to be an expert—just someone willing to share your experiences and insights.
“If you’re good at something, chances are you’re going to succeed,” she says. “And if you share that knowledge, you could be helping someone land their dream job or start a career in the field they love.”
Her own journey from being a newcomer to a mentor serves as a powerful reminder of how one small act of guidance can create a ripple effect of success. Through her work with Jumpstart’s Welcome Talent Canada program, Bhavika is ensuring that more newcomers have the support they need to thrive in their new home.
If you’re interested in becoming a mentor or learning more about the Welcome Talent Canada program, visit Jumpstart Refugee Talent and see how you can make a difference today.