Pritika Raju
Foundation Program
Special Projects Coordinator
Schulich School of Business, 91ɫ
Joining Bridging
Pritika Raju joined the IEP Bridging Program after facing the real shock of the Canadian job market after arriving last year. “Although my skills are relevant here and I came with a wealth of experience; I did not know how to reach out to potential employers”, she explained. “I tried all the usual ways but I felt none of this was helping me reach the mark,” said Raju.
However, everything changed once Pritika visited the IEP Bridging Program Booth at Toronto Newcomers Day 2025 at Nathan Philips Square, “The chance meeting led to not only me joining the IEP program but also landing a great job at one of Canada’s most iconic employers, 91ɫ!.”
Building Connections
“The Foundation Program connected me to some really wonderful people. I got to know some of my classmates really well and they will remain friends for life”, said Pritika.
“Professionally, the networking avenues the program has to offer are unparalleled,” she explained. Pritika also shared how the program helped in improving her language and communication skills which she found very useful in transitioning to the professional workplace, “there were times when I was so sure of certain grammatical usages only to realize that I have been saying it wrong all my life!,” she commented.
Pritika also found the program very helpful for helping to prepare her for the Canadian labour market. “The one thing that sets the program apart is how well structured it is, she said. “There are ample opportunities for networking with alumni, professional services firms, mentorship firms, etc.” says Pritika.
Reflecting on the impact she explained, “these opportunities helped me understand the Canadian work culture, work-speak and the skills to highlight on my CV to be deemed worthy of a job.”
The outcome of the Foundation program
The most significant outcome of the program for Pritika was landing a job as a Special Projects Coordinator at the Schulich School of Business in 91ɫ. She remarked: “I landed my first job in Canada through the IEP program!”
Pritika’s Advice for Newcomers
Pritika advises, “the IEP program gave structure and stability to my career planning strategy in Canada, and I would recommend this program to any job seeker looking for clarity and direction.”
“You can trust the IEP program blindly, just trust the process, go to every event organized by the program, be religious in attending the classes and before you know it, you too will find success!” said Pritika. “I would say if you join the IEP Bridging Program, half the job is done,” she exclaimed.