Trade Professions in Private Industry – A Great Career Path
On Thursday January 31, George Brown College hosted OWIT’s first student event for 2008. 25 students and program coordinators from a number of colleges in South-Western Ontario gathered to learn more about the Role of Trade Professionals in Private Industry. Five panelists spoke about their involvement in international trade – from how they first got involved in trade to what they are doing now and included valuable advice on finding and pursuing careers in this rapidly growing field.
Panelists included:
Elizabeth Gordon, Senior Manager, Global Client Strategies at the Royal Bank of Canada
Beverly Mawby, Client Account Officer at H.J. Heinz Company of Canada
Victoria Ryce, Current Organization Inc.
Lee-Anne McAlear, Current Organization Inc.
Mario Sanchez, Carrier Manager at Research In Motion
One overriding theme for the evening was that it is imperative to learn to seek out and recognize potential opportunities that will provide you with the experience and knowledge necessary to move ahead. Learning doesn’t end upon graduation and people need to continue to invest in themselves and in learning as their careers progress.
Upon graduation, every student is faced with the no experience, no job conundrum where it seems that you can’t find a job because you have no experience, but you can’t gain any experience because no one will offer you a job. It’s a common catch-22 situation that can be fairly “easily” overcome by seeking out often unpaid positions that will allow you to develop particular skill-sets that will be valuable in the working world. Increasingly more post-secondary institutions are making intern and co-op placements an academic requirement for graduation that allow students to gain valuable first hand experience and develop the skills necessary to succeed professionally.
Every graduate and professional should commit to developing a yearly learning plan in order to continuously grow personally and professionally and know that they are working towards their clearly defined goals and objectives. It is important to ensure that the ideas are realistic and attainable, even though you might encounter obstacles and challenges, but it is important to maintain a positive attitude and remove the potential barriers that stand in the way in order to succeed. Always expect the unexpected and be prepared to act on these chance opportunities, even if it means stepping outside your comfort zone. You never know how the experience is going to translate for you and influence your future path.
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Important News for Women Owned Businesses
OWIT Toronto participated in a meeting this past November with representatives of other women's business organizations from across Canada on the topic of certifying women-owned businesses. Organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs & International Trade, the purpose of the meeting was to introduce the U.S. Diversity Buyers Program (DBP), the primary objective of which is to provide increased procurement and business opportunities for minority businesses, of which women-owned businesses qualify. If Canadian women-owned, export-ready companies are certified, it would enable them to access and benefit from the DBP that comprises most Fortune 500 companies. Plans are underway in Canada to get a certification process in place. If you would like more information about OWIT's involvement, contact Susan Baka at sbaka@baycomm.ca.
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Upcoming OWIT-Toronto Events:
Thursday April 24, 2008
An Evening of Fashion and Trade – OWIT and FREDA'S
Wine & Cheese Reception, Networking & Private Shopping
Time: 5:30pm - 9:00pm
Location: Freda's, 86 Bathurst Street, Toronto
The Evening of Fashion and Trade will be hosted by Freda's boutique, www.fredas.com, and start at 5:30 p.m. with the arrival of the participants, followed by keynote speakers sharing trends of the season and information on foreign trade opportunities, a tour of the manufacturing facility/design studio and closing with a terrific shopping experience guided by Freda's knowledgeable staff.
For more information, please contact Carla Kearns, VP Events, OWIT at info@themandarinschool.com or 416-581-8868
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OWIT International Conference – Monterrey, Mexico
The 2008 OWIT World Conference will be held in Monterrey, Mexico from October 22-24, hosted by the Monterrey chapter. The theme is Trade and the Environment: The Triple Bottom Line and its Impact on Business. Watch www.owit.org for details.
Many congratulations to the Monterrey chapter, winner of the 2007 OWIT Chapter of the Year. Our Toronto chapter mentored Monterrey two years ago when it was launched as the first OWIT chapter in Mexico. “I encourage Toronto chapter members to plan to attend next year’s World Conference in Monterrey,” says Susan Baka, Co-President, OWIT-Toronto. “The Monterrey chapter has already begun planning the event, and I know they will do an exceptional job, as they did when they hosted our international board meeting earlier this year. And I know that Mexican businesswomen are eager to do business with Canada, so it will be a great opportunity to build alliances.”
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Women’s Trade Mission to Monterrey, Mexico October 2008
Join Trade Mission to Mexico
The Canadian chapters of the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT-Toronto www.owit-toronto.ca and OWIT-Alberta www.owitalberta.org) are planning a trade mission to Mexico this fall to coincide with OWIT’s Annual World Conference. This is an excellent opportunity for Canadian companies to visit the city of Monterrey - the industrial, financial and economic engine of Mexico - and build business across borders.
The focus of the trade mission will be on match-making and networking for participants. Sectors representing the greatest opportunity for Canadian businesses include: advanced manufacturing, automobile industry, auto parts, plastics, agri-food, environment, construction, biotechnology and IT. Service-based companies may have good opportunities if they serve the sectors listed above or if they form a partnership with local service companies and bring new systems and technology.
The preliminary agenda for the trade mission:
- Tuesday, Oct 21: Arrival and briefing session/evening reception
- Wednesday, Oct 22: Breakfast; match-making meetings in the morning and afternoon; optional OWIT international conference welcoming reception in evening.
The trade mission will take place just prior to the 17 th Annual OWIT International Conference that will be held in Monterrey from October 22 - 24, 2008. The theme of the conference, which is a further opportunity to network with high-level women involved in global trade, is Trade and the Triple Bottom Line: Societal, Economic and Environmental Sustainability
- Wednesday, Oct 22 – Welcoming conference reception in evening
- Thursday, Oct 23: OWIT Conference
- Friday, Oct 24:OWIT Conference
. Visit www.owit.org for more details on the conference.
Fee: $1,100 for trade mission and conference (Oct 21 – 24)
$750 for trade mission only (Oct 21 & 22)
(Participants responsible for own travel and accommodation expenses)
Deadline : June 30, 2008 (The earlier you register, the better, to ensure maximum time to plan most effective business matching for you.)
Info: Gail Morris
416.998.9622
gmorris@tradepartners.ca
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Canada China Environmental Forum
June 10, 2008
Toronto
www.canadachinagreen.com
The Canada China Environmental Forum is designed to stimulate ideas, encourage partnerships, and inspire Canadian and Chinese businesses to create relationships and opportunities that have significant impact for the environment in both Canada and China.
TLI-The Mandarin School and Summerhill Group, in cooperation with some of Canada’s leading environmental companies, business associations and government agencies, will coordinate a progressive workshop to discuss the requirements for development, promotion and collaboration on sustainable business practices.
OWIT-Toronto, CCBC and HKCBA are partners in this event and their members receive a special attendance rate. For more information please visit www.canadachinagreen.com or contact carla@canadachinagreen.com.
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Canadian Women's Mission to China & Hong Kong 2008
October 21-31, 2008
Held in conjunction with the Hong Kong Business Forum (October 30-31) which is sponsored by the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide, this highly interactive Canadian Women's Mission to China, taking place October 21-31, 2008, has been specially designed to help women learn more about the world's most dynamic economy and to discover firsthand the potential the Greater China area has for Canadian business. Cities include: Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong. This represents an opportunity to meet potential business partners, key government and business leaders and discover new trading opportunities to get started in this critically important international market.
Participants will learn how to do business in Hong Kong and China, what key business strategies to use to pursue those opportunities and what resources are available to help realize those plans. They will also meet and have an opportunity to learn from other women executives and entrepreneurs including many Canadian women who have already successfully entered the Greater China market.
Cost: $1,500.00 + travel costs; register by June 15, 2008: $1,250.00
Contact Name: Carla Kearns, TLI-The Mandarin School
Contact Phone: 416.581.8868
Email: info@themandarinschool.com
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