Cristal Almanzar Recio
Foundation Program
Administrative Support
City of Mississauga
Journey to finding IEP
When Cristal Recio arrived in Toronto in 2025, she felt quite lost in such a large and unfamiliar professional landscape. “I remember attending an immigrant fair in downtown Toronto. There was an educational advisor from another institution told me that I should look into the IEP Program at 91ɫ”, she explained.
“At that time, I mistakenly believed bridging programs were only for technical fields like engineering or healthcare so I googled IEP 91ɫ and noticed I only had one day before the enrollment process closed”, she said.
“Thankfully, I was accepted. I joined the program to bridge the gap between my international experience and the local market, and to find a community where my background would be valued,” shared Cristal.
Improving Business and Communication Skills
IEP helped Cristal to understand the subtle nuances of professional communication in Canada.
“I learned how to express my ideas more clearly and adjust my style to fit the local business culture. The workshops and library resources were very grounding for me because they taught me how to share my international experience in a way that is simple and effective. I am grateful for the chance to refine how I speak and listen as a professional peer, which has made me feel much more natural when connecting with others’, she remarked.
Cristal, believed the IEP program provided so much more than a typical business curriculum, explaining: “The professors took the time to explain the cultural and historical context of the Canadian environment, which was essential for me to understand the society I was joining”.
“This deep dive into the local context was the key to helping me move from feeling like a newcomer to truly self-identifying as an international professional in Toronto”, says Cristal. She added, “it gave me the confidence to feel that I finally belong in this new home.”
Building Connections
Cristal emphasized on the impact of IEP in building connections in Canada. She highlighted: “I went from having no professional network in Toronto to being part of an amazing community”. “The IEP LinkedIn group is pure gold, it provides a constant stream of information and mentorship,” she added.
“I also had the opportunity to meet people from organizations like RBC, CPA Ontario, and Hispanotech during networking events”, she explained. Elaborating that, “whether it was connecting with 91ɫ Mature Student Services, CareerEdge, or Scale Without Borders, the program opened doors that would have otherwise stayed closed to me”.
The Impact of IEP
Cristal mentioned the IEP Bridging Program also provided her with practical hard skills such as Advanced Excel and Power BI training through their IT skills training program delivered by Seneca Polytechnic. Combined with projects that gave her real world experience, she explained: “I feel much better prepared to meet the standards that Canadian employers expect”.
“I am no longer just looking for a job; I am presenting myself as a professional who is fully equipped for the Canadian workforce,” says Cristal.
She also commented on the IEP staff’s support remarking: “The IEP staff made me feel like I had an entire team working for my success.”
Key Outcome and Personal Growth
For Cristal, before joining the program, she often hesitated to apply for certain roles. That mindset has now shifted. She emphasized: “The most important result for me was reclaiming my professional self-worth and learning to push past my own limits”, she says. “Before this program, I might have hesitated to apply for certain positions, but now I am pursuing high impact roles that I would not have even considered before,” shared Cristal.
Another positive result for Cristal is developing confidence and trust in personal growth and timing. She shared: “I feel a deep sense of confidence in my own timing, and I know that when the right opportunity arrives, I am fully prepared to fulfill it with success” she commented.
“Thanks to the IEP program, I now recognize that I can create much greater value for the Canadian workforce than I ever imagined possible, she said.
“I have achieved my goal of building a solid professional foundation while making incredible friends who are on this same journey,” she added. “I am no longer just a newcomer waiting for a chance; I am a professional who is ready to contribute,” she explained.
Advice for Newcomers
Cristal advised newcomers to have more compassion for themselves, stating: “My advice is to trust your own timing and remember that your journey is unique”.
She encourages newcomers, “Do not be discouraged if things do not happen overnight; keep working on developing your skills and staying curious about the market”. “Make it a priority to meet new people and build genuine connections, and most importantly, always take the chance to say yes to new opportunities, even the ones that feel outside of your comfort zone” she encourages. “Just go for it, because you never know which door will lead to your next great blessing,” says Cristal.
Cristal’s Personal Reflection
“The IEP program was an unexpected blessing that helped me stay on track and truly trust in myself.”