In 1989, after finishing my German language studies in Beijing, China, I had the chance to go to Germany to study international marketing. Afterwards, I stayed and worked in Germany for ten years on an international project that was focused on projects between Chinese and German companies.
In 1999, completely on my own, I immigrated to Canada.
Three years later I traveled back to China to see my parents. It was there I met an old friend and decided to marry him. I invited him and his daughter to immigrate and come back to Canada to live with me.
Here I was, a wife, a new mother, and stepmother. Like many other immigrants, I had to face many difficult situations. My husband didn’t adapt well to the new life in Canada and it caused problems in our marriage. He left and returned to China with his daughter.
I was left on my own to raise our son Charles and needed to find balance between work and taking care of my son. I changed jobs many times and wasn’t able to find a job at the same level of responsibility and pay as my previous job in Germany.
In 2016, I decided I wanted to change my career and get a life coach diploma. During that time I was job searching too and was introduced to Dress for Success by the AVIA Employment Service Centre. They kindly provided an interview outfit. It was an exciting life experience for me to get this one-on-one service. The staff there helped me to find an amazing outfit, which I wore to my interview and got the contract.
Then I was invited to join an eighteen month the Professional Women’s Group (PWG) program. Over 60 people met once a month. We were given breakfast and an opportunity to network. I got the chance to meet wonderful women from around the world. PWG invited professional speakers with variety topics for the workshops. They also provided mentors. They helped me explore a new career path. At the end of each session, there was a lucky draw. I was lucky each time to receive a wonderful gift.
PWG programs encouraged me to discover my core values, personality type, and interests. They also encouraged me to find endless possibilities, try something new, and let me get out of my comfort zone to challenge myself. When I shared what interested me, I received very professional support that motivated me to do work that I enjoyed.
Because my son is now in his teens I can take more time to join more PWG programs and I have become an DFS Ambassador.
Dress for Success taught me very wide and diverse views to help discover my abilities and dreams. When you open your mind, work hard, and think positive you will be motivated to challenge yourself to make things happen.
Now I’m back working full time in the export area and I volunteer as a life coach for the Chinese Crisis Help Line. I want to use my experience from PWG and my Life Coach Diploma to help new Chinese immigrants with emotional support in the way that I have been supported and to give back.