Beyond he Resume is a storytelling series that reframes refugee professionals not as resettlement cases, but as global connectors and economic catalysts in Canada.

Beyond the Resume: Yaseen’s Journey with Hope and Persistence

Yaseen Hemzawi, a communications team member at Jumpstart Refugee Talent has lived the refugee experience firsthand. He fled from Syria to Turkey and is now settled in Canada, carrying with him courage, hope, and persistence throughout his journey. 

Yaseen was once a dynamic and accomplished young professional in Syria. He studied business management and was deeply involved in volunteering, which quickly led him to become a community leader.

“I started my volunteering journey when I was 17 with the AFLATEEN program by Mobaderoon for youth entrepreneurs (full story here) and I was awarded for innovation and inventing.”

Throughout his academic journey, he earned more than 20 certificates in digital marketing from Meta, Google and others (see the certificates on his LinkedIn profile). With these achievements he facilitated workshops and courses at Damascus University and local centers and founded a volunteer team called Kaizen which created interactive educational programs for orphaned children”.

“These were a mix of learning by giving,” Yaseen said, “With these experiences, I start navigating where I want to be in the future.”

When the revolution happened in Syria, in 2011, and the threat of forced military conscription loomed, Yaseen made the painful decision to leave. He could not bear the thought of participating in a war where, as he said, “brothers kill each other.” His journey out of Syria became even harder due to the outbreak of COVID-19. With limited opportunities and time, he fled to Turkey — uncertain, alone, and carrying only hope and determination. 

In Turkey, Yaseen initially faced language barriers and deep societal bias against Syrians, which prevented him from working or studying immediately. He used the lockdown period to teach himself Turkish and slowly began rebuilding his network.

“I worked long hours in a coffee shop for a mere $2 a day. It was not a good experience, but it helped improve my Turkish and allowed me to connect with others. I also volunteered in different areas to familiarize myself with how Turkish workplaces operate.”

Things began to improve through his three years of relentless effort.

“After passing my Turkish language test, I got a job as an export specialist and accepted into a master program later. But suddenly, the earthquake hit, and I lost everything.”

Once again, Yaseen was forced to start over…  

Rebuilding life in Canada 

This time, Yaseen fled to Canada, where it is safe and inclusive. He had to rebuild his life from scratch for a second time – in a new country, with no job, limited resources, and no certainty about what the future would hold. 

Yaseen started his journey in Canada with only $2,000 in his pocket and no clear roadmap. As he searched for places to live and jobs, he almost fell victim to scams. It took time for him to recognize trustworthy online information.

Meanwhile, he kept sharing his life as a newcomer in Canada on his YouTube channel, a journey he began documenting while he was still in Turkey. Eventually, Yaseen found his first survival job as a sandwich maker at Shawarma Alzaeem in Mississauga. It was a stark contrast to his professional life in Syria.

“The first shock to me here was that in Syria, people respectfully called me ‘Mr. Yaseen,’ while my first job here started without a name — just ‘Hey you, come here.’ And the pay was low; the work was physically exhausting…”

Volunteering as a Turning Point 

Yet, Yaseeen pressed on, carrying hope and continuing to apply for jobs. Employers seemed to prefer local experience, while his skills and global knowledge went unrecognized. Therefore, Yaseen discovered Digital Marketing connection Bridging Program at ACCES employment:

“It is a three-month program in Humber College, where people can earn certifications in digital marketing, design thinking, emotional intelligence, PMP and lean management. While the best part was that I could build a professional network within my field and support each other throughout the job-hunting journey, it also helped me to become a member at American Marketing association afterward.”

During this time, Yaseen also persisted in giving back to the community.

“I volunteered at the Arab Community Centre of Toronto  as an interpreter, team leader and workshop facilitator, and because of this move I was fortunate to learn about E3 program and get the opportunity to join Jumpstart.”

Yaseen now works as a Communication Assistant at Jumpstart, taking on roles in social media management, video editing, in-person event planning, and more. He is steadily gaining Canadian professional experience and connecting with social leaders.

“I am happy and proud to be working at Jumpstart. It is a community where new ideas are welcomed and where I can support refugees by sharing my experiences.”

Yaseen also currently works at Crown Pastries as a salesperson; a role that allows him to connect with community members who share his cultural background, lead a dedicated sales team, and bring smiles to customers every day. 

Despite not yet securing a full-time position in his field, Yaseen refuses to give up. Instead, he is taking ownership of his journey and embracing every opportunity that comes his way. 

“If I do not have a full-time job, I can have two part-time jobs,” he said. “Life is full of options, and we are responsible for how we choose to live it. Everything is temporary, and hard times will eventually pass; so, I try to thrive in every single moment.”

 Calling for Change: Systemic Shortcomings and Employer Bias 

• Benefitable programs for refugee newcomers should be more accessible

“Canada offers various valuable programs to help refugees rebuild their lives but accessing them is a challenge. If someone had handed me a brochure at the airport with available support, it would have made a big difference for me at that time,” said Yaseen. “Instead, most of the information came through community connections, but those take time to build.”

• The refugee process itself is painfully slow

“My lawyer told me it could take three years to finish the process. But I need to plan for my future and my family. Even a fast ‘no’ would be better than waiting in limbo.” Yaseen explains, “Delayed decisions make it more difficult to move forward with life, work, or education.”

• Employers could play a crucial role in opening doors or reinforcing barriers

“I speak five languages and have years of marketing experience, but because I studied at Damascus University and do not have ‘Canadian experience,’ my qualifications are not recognized,” he shared. “Many refugees from the Middle East or Arabic regions face the same problem, their credentials are hard to translated into Canada.” Yaseen believes there is room for change, “Employers and institutions could educate themselves more about international qualifications, or at least, be more flexible. Give us a chance — it would be a win-win.”

Yaseen’s Words to Fellow Refugees  

From mentoring youth in Syria to starting over in Canada, Yaseen remained committed to learning, giving back, and staying connected to communities. Even through displacement and disaster, he continued to pursue education and job opportunities — not just for survival, but for the chance to contribute meaningfully once again. 

He also shared a powerful message with his fellow refugee colleagues:

“You have made it to Canada, and that alone took immense effort and courage. Congratulations! You are now in a safe place. I know it is hard to settle — it may take time, whether a month, a year, or more — but eventually, you will find your path. Stay connected, seek out supportive organizations, and ask for help. Believe in yourself, and most importantly — keep smiling!”

Key Takeaways from Yaseen’s Journey

• Resilience is built through challenges: From war and displacement to earthquakes and starting over, Yaseen’s journey highlights the strength required to adapt and move forward.

• Your experience matters — even if it is not “Canadian”: International education, leadership, and volunteer work are valuable and deserve recognition.

• Volunteering opens doors: Giving back to the community helped Yaseen rebuild networks, gain local experience, and discover career pathways.

• Community support is essential: Finding the right programs and people made a difference in his ability to navigate resettlement.

• Attitude shapes the journey: Yaseen’s hopeful mindset — “everything is temporary” — helped him embrace uncertainty and thrive through it.