TIE CONNECT is a TiE Ottawa led and delivered program committed to helping international students and recent international graduates transition into the job market as well as the entrepreneurial eco-system. We achieve this by helping them walk through a step-by-step process that allows them to demystify the process. 

The primary intent of the program is to help the program participants:

1. develop and implement a personal career strategy to find and keep relevant jobs, and 
2. develop the confidence to launch their own entrepreneurial endeavors by introducing them to the available entrepreneurship support in Ottawa.

The initiative is aimed at fresh international graduates experiencing multiple barriers to identify, secure and maintain employment. The intent of the program is to match candidates with custom learning opportunities that will help them define, design and establish a meaningful career path. Training focuses on career development/exploration, life skills, job attainment skills, employment-related skills, and job maintenance and career advancement skills while positioning entrepreneurship as a viable career option. The program is accessible to all young people regardless of their gender, race, age, financial stability and other recognized limiting issues. All participants will be provided with:

1. A class room based workshop series that will help them increase their knowledge of career options, the job market, and your own self;
2. Opportunities to develop employable skills through a focus on necessary professional soft skills;
3. Identification of their skills gaps through one-on-one access to mentors from TiE Ottawa network;
4. Access to additional training and education, during and after the program completion, through access to TiE Ottawa events including TiE Networking Dinners, TiE Institute and TiECon Canada.

TIECONNECT is a 40-hour program with the following breakdown:

• 15 hours of job attainment and career advancement training facilitated through 5 custom workshops delivered by industry expert(s);
• 20 hours of entrepreneurship focused business training and mentorship facilitated through TiE community events (Mentor Connect, TiE Institutes and TiE Networking events) that give participants access to the TiE entrepreneurial community in a professional as well as social setting;
• Participation for a select group of 6 candidates in the annual TiE Conference (TiECon Canada) to give them access to 15 hours of conference-based learning with access to world class speakers and Canada wide entrepreneurial eco-system.

Workshop Topic List:

Topic 1: Key elements of professional success: Understanding Industry Expectations

Topic 2: Building the right professional profile: Balancing ability and attitude

Topic 3: Pitching for success: How to tell a compelling story

Topic 4: Intentional Networking: Leveraging your community

Topic 5: Search Optimization: How to find the right opportunity, and to be found